Celebrating Victoria Day in Period Dress
Why Choose 1910s Attire?
Dressing in authentic 1910s attire brings the spirit of Victoria Day celebrations to life in a way that words alone cannot. The elegant fashions of the era perfectly reflect the style and atmosphere of the early twentieth century, helping visitors imagine what life looked and felt like over a century ago. Period clothing not only adds charm and authenticity to the celebration, but also creates a memorable visual experience that inspires curiosity, conversation, and a deeper appreciation of our shared heritage.
Creating the Look
Every outfit begins with a single piece of inspiration. For this Victoria Day ensemble, it was the rich cherry-coloured fabric chosen for my skirt. From there, I built the look by drawing on pieces I already owned, including my blouse, shoes, and handbag, carefully selecting each item to complement the colour palette and style of the period.
Rather than starting from scratch, I enjoy repurposing and reinventing existing pieces. The hat, for example, was reshaped into a traditional boater style before being embellished with carefully chosen adornments to complete the look. The same cherry-coloured fabric was also used to create Robert’s cravat, subtly linking our outfits together. Men’s cravats are listed here online – look at the designs available. Top hats finish the look for the Edwardian gentleman – search through these here. Men’s vintage tail coats are not easily accessible and can be smaller fittings, but look through these right here.
I love the challenge of creating authentic period attire by combining one newly made feature with items already in my costume wardrobe. By building around a single key piece and thoughtfully adding colour, contrast, and period details, an outfit comes to life without needing to recreate every element. It’s a creative process that is both practical and rewarding, and one of my favourite parts of preparing for these historical events. To recreate some of the edwardian look – there are a few ideas here on Ebay you could consider. Edwardian hats such as the boater are still popular today – learn more here. Ladies victorian/edwardian boots are just the thing to wear with these outfits – find yours here.
The Response from the Public
One of the highlights of our Victoria Day experience is always the response from the public. While there weren’t as many conversations as I had hoped for, every smile, glance, or moment of curiosity reminds me that people have noticed us. Even a passing look feels like an acknowledgement that we’ve helped bring a little piece of history to life.
The moments I treasure most are when people stop to chat, compliment our outfits, or ask what the occasion is. Those conversations give us the opportunity to share the story behind the costumes and the significance of Victoria Day, making the experience even more rewarding.
Wearing period attire has a wonderful way of changing how you feel. For a few hours, we step into another era, carrying ourselves with a sense of pride, elegance, and perhaps even a touch of royalty. It’s a feeling that’s difficult to describe but one that makes the day truly unforgettable.
The Atmosphere Around the Town Hall
The atmosphere around the Town Hall was warm, welcoming, and full of anticipation as visitors gathered to celebrate Victoria Day. As members of the Late Victorian Society, and through our association with the Werribee Half Battery who performed the ceremonial rifle firing, we were made to feel very welcome throughout the day.
It was a pleasure to be greeted by the Town Hall footmen and the distinguished staff, whose enthusiasm added to the authenticity of the occasion. We also had the pleasure of receiving a smile from Nick Reece as he came outside for the official ceremony, a small but memorable moment that added to the occasion.
We enjoyed meeting other guests and visitors, each sharing an appreciation for history and the traditions that make Victoria Day such a special event. Among those attending was a lady from the Werribee Half Battery group who was also dressed in period attire. Her elegant Victorian ensemble beautifully complemented the atmosphere of the day and was a wonderful reminder of the many different styles represented across the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Although many people simply continued on their way, those who stopped to engage with us made the experience especially memorable. It was these conversations, shared smiles, and mutual appreciation for living history that made the day feel truly worthwhile.
Why Keeping History Alive Through Dress Is So Rewarding
There is something incredibly rewarding about keeping history alive through period dress. Every carefully chosen garment, accessory, and finishing touch helps tell the story of another era, allowing people to experience history in a way that feels both real and accessible.
For me, the hat is the finishing touch that brings the entire outfit together. Without it, the ensemble would simply not have the same impact. Much like the icing on a cake, a well-chosen hat completes the look and instantly captures people’s attention. My boater hat and Robert’s top hat were the perfect finishing pieces, adding character, elegance, and authenticity to our Edwardian attire.
Creating these outfits is about far more than wearing beautiful clothes. It’s about preserving traditions, celebrating craftsmanship, and sharing a passion for history with others. If our appearance encourages someone to stop, smile, ask a question, or become curious about the past, then we’ve achieved exactly what we set out to do.
As we admired our finished outfits before heading into the city, I jokingly said to Robert, “We’re going to rule the town!” We both had a laugh, but in a way, it summed up the confidence and enjoyment that period dress brings. For one special day, we stepped back in time, embraced the spirit of the occasion, and were proud to play a small part in keeping history alive for others to enjoy.
A Walk Through Melbourne
Our Victoria Day experience didn’t end at the Town Hall. As we made our way along Swanston Street towards the National Gallery of Victoria for lunch, our period attire continued to attract plenty of attention.
One of the highlights was being spotted by a street photographer, who stopped to capture several images of us against the backdrop of Melbourne’s historic streets. We also paused at several of the city’s heritage landmarks, where kind passers-by happily offered to take photographs for us. Those moments allowed us to create lasting memories while showcasing our Edwardian attire in settings that complemented the era so beautifully.
When we arrived at the NGV Tea Room for lunch, the attention continued. Several people stopped to admire our outfits, offering warm compliments and curious smiles. For a little while, it felt as though we were the centre of attention, and we thoroughly enjoyed sharing our enthusiasm for historical dress with those we met.
Looking back on the day, it wasn’t just the official Victoria Day celebrations that made the experience so memorable. It was discovering that, wherever we went, our period clothing inspired smiles, conversations, photographs, and an appreciation for history in the heart of modern Melbourne.
One of the unexpected highlights of Victoria Day was meeting a street photographer who was captivated by our Edwardian attire. Although we spoke different languages, our shared appreciation for history and craftsmanship needed no translation.
Thanks for looking into my recent post – it was a pleasure to delight historians with our interpretation of Edwardian Melbourne
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Regards from Helen.