General notes:
1) keep in mind that if you find something pretty you like: Use it. This is a fantasy victorian setting and we're not history checking your garments.
2) Non-binary - feel free to use a mix of these trends or whatever the hell makes you happy. See rule 1.
For feminine coded clothing:
Underclothing:
Most women had a few "good" dresses that were tailored to them and could be worn over more durable underclothes that were regularly laundered. It was difficult to clean over dresses and fancy garments so the underclothes were designed to protect more delicate over-fabrics.
Corsets were -ubiquitous- for all but the poorest women. Even working class women may have a simple corset both for the correct clothing shape but also for breast support. Tight-lacing - the extreme tiny waists seen in some images - was actually not terribly common and was considered damaging even at the time. Tight-lacing was almost strictly for upper class ladies who had no other activities than sitting and looking pretty. A properly fit corset (as many of our players know) provides support and the correct lines for a garment and while certainly more restrictive than modern clothing, is fairly easy to adapt too.
Day Dresses:
Day dresses were more modest with higher necklines, longer sleeves, and bustle skirts - a straight front line and rear bustle were popular in this period. Ankles were NEVER shown - much of victorian dress is coded in "hiding" what one should not see for more mystique.
For nobles and middle class that can afford it: Fabric is what changes dependent on the fanciness of the event. Traveling or walking clothes would be less expensive linen, cotton, or wool. A fancy tea might have a dress made of fine linen "lawn" or light silk.
Traveling Dress:
Tea Gown:
Walking/Visiting outfit:
Evening Dresses
Evening dresses become less modest and lower cut and often had off the shoulder sleeves or shorter sleeves. A variety of skirt styles were popular from the straight line/rear bustle as above to larger bell shapes. Evening dresses almost always have nicer fabric than a day dress and even a wealthy woman may only have a few dresses (again feel free to ignore this for our game ;) ) Silk and velvet or heavily beaded and embroidered fabrics were popular. Younger women just out or not yet out tended toward paler colors while older women often adopted jewel tones and more somber colors (again we're ignoring that part.) Even higher cut dresses for evening would have a great deal more detailing, lace, and embroidery.
Accessories and Hair
Gloves gloves gloves. Gloves are incredibly common and considered a part of being dressed. Gloves of kid leather were -very- thin and often only wearable once as they would simply wear out after an evening. Silk and lace gloves were also common. By the 1880's, gloves for evening were opera length (over the elbow). Day gloves often ended at the wrist. Ladies in evening dress would have gloves, jewelry, a small reticule, and a fan. Even in colder weather, dances and balls had no climate control and could become very warm in addition to the flirtation aspect of fans.
Noble women might have tiaras or family jewels as well, representative of their rank or position.
Hair for well bred ladies is almost always pinned up or at least partly pinned up. Loose, down hair is provocative and part of the Victorian "hidden mystique." It would be unthinkable for a noble woman to go out with her hair down and loose. Small hats, typically decorative but also bonnet styles to protect from the sun were also common and popular.
Male coded clothing
Men's clothing was just as heavily coded as women's and again often dependent on class.
Men's Underclothes
Men also wore underclothes to protect more delicate and harder to clean top layers. Boxer like shorts and undershirts were common and for the high fashion male, male corsets could also be found to create the correct "Upside down triangle" shape that was favored.
Men's Day Wear
Men's day wear was practical and servicable for business, visiting, or social engagements. It was comprised of trousers, a shirt, and some sort of jacket and often a vest and tie. While the jacket might be discarded, it would be unthinkable for anyone above the poorest classes to be seen in just a shirt and trousers. Due to the fantasy setting of our game, more vibrant colors for men are often seen in waist-coats and vests and ties as well. For the late 1800's, pants came to the waist and shirts and jackets extended to the waist. The "short waist" coat familiar from Jane Austen flicks is early for this setting but if you like it, go for it.
Upper class outfit:
Middle/Lower class outfit:
Men's Evening Wear
Men's formal wear was, ironically, far more staid than women's. The Victorian Era is the birth of black tie and white tie formal wear for men. White tie is more formal than black tie. Again, for our game, fancy vests and clothes are also appropriate for the setting.
Men's Accessories
Again, gloves were common and popular for men, particularly gentlemen. Lower classes were less concerned with men wearing gloves but they were definitely a mark of a gentleman.
Men wore little jewelry - a pocket watch, rings, or military medals if in uniform were acceptable. Many upper class men carried a walking stick as well.
Hats were considered ubiquitous for the "dressed" male - men would rarely go out without one. Short hair was also preferred but facial hair was common. For our setting, neither of these rules is particularly prevalent.
