You are looked upon by many as the representative of the genteel lady of the Civil War time period. And although Scarlet may be the only concept the public has of what a lady of the 1860's should look like, there are some basic guide lines that should strive to follow.
By the end of your first year as a member of the Historical Timekeepers, the appropriate underpinnings should be purchased or made. Primarily appropriate pantelets, stockings, footwear, and hoop skirt/corded petticoat. Stockings may be purchased from any number of sutlers, including the striped stockings. A suggested place to purchase solid stockings in black, cream and white, that do not require garters is from Ghost Forge. Boots can be something as simple as ankle boots from Wal-Mart or Goodwill, but do not go with the boots that have large chunky heels or soles to them. These are not even close to being period correct. Pantelets should be white cotton and should come down to the ankles or slightly above. If you so choose, they can be 1860's period correct (aka: crochless) but do not have to be. An investment in flannel panelets for the spring and fall events is advisable, since they will keep you warmer then long johns alone.
Blue jeans and other similar types of clothing are not acceptable under your hoops.. Tennis shoes, unless medically necessary, are not appropriate under your skirts. They are seen and people do comment on them as not being correct. Please be aware of this.
1860's period correct dress is required during event hours, including correct accessories. Please keep all wrist watches out of site during event hours. Please keep them in your reticule or a basket, hidden from view. Period appropriate jewelry is also required. Broaches should be appropriate to the time as well as ear bobs and necklaces. Chatelaines are not required, but they are an interesting piece to have and to talk about and are a great way to show off your time piece.
Please keep in mind that people also look at your hair and make-up. None of use like to go without some of our modern amenities, but the period look was for women to have their hair parted down the middle and pulled to the back. Not all of us have a hair cut that allows us to achieve this look without really changing our looks. Try to use a hair net and incorporate a false hair piece in it, that color matches your own hair, or a hair piece that blends in. The head should be covered at all times with either a bonnet, hat or day cap. As for make-up, most women of the time wore no make up what so ever, but many of us do not like to go without. Remember the complection was white and fare. If you are to use make up, keep the blush very light, keep the foundation paler then what you would normally wear to give that period correct look, and keep eye make up to a minimal If eyeliner is to be used, go with brown instead of any color or black. If excessive make up is worn you may be mistaken as a hussy. We don’t want that unless that is to be your eventual persona. Another area to be very aware of is your nails. Nail polish was not yet available, and women were judged by their hands. If you do wear acrylic nails, please change your polish to a soft french polish for the weekend. Leave your color at home for the 21st century. If you need to wear color, please purchase a nice pair of kid gloves or some sort of cotton glove to wear to camouflage the color. Believe me, these are things that people see and comment to others on. Not just re-enactors but the general public as well see these things and comment on them to others.
Your attire should match the type of person you are trying to represent and reenact. A laundress would not wear a big fancy hoop skirt and under sleeves to do laundry in. And a woman who portrays someone of money would not normally wear a raggedy dress. Please keep that in mind when putting your persona together.
To corset or not to corset, that is the question. The appropriate silhouette of the 1860's was a small waist and wide shoulders. This can only be achieved with a corset. They can be pricey, so be sure you buy from a reputable and reliable sulter and make sure that it is fitted to you and feels good when wearing it. There is nothing worse then having an ill fitting corset on all day and being miserable. One sutler we’d recommend would be the Civil War Lady. Theirs run upwards of $200 but are made by period correct patterns. A modern day corset made of nylon and plastic boning will not hold up and will not breath like a proper cotton one. Remember you do get what you pay for.