Edwardian: A quick guide on how to achieve 'the look'.

I was recently asked to write out a quick guide on how volunteers at Polesden Lacey can achieve the Edwardian look, as it's not just about putting on the costume. I thought I'd post it here, for anyone who might find it useful.

The desired look in the Edwardian era was very light, pale, and natural. The use of make up as we know it today was only just starting to become popular, and even then the objective was to create an effect of youthful beauty without anyone knowing you were actually wearing any. Here are some tips on how to achieve the fashionable Edwardian look.

• If you wear foundation, try and get some a shade or so lighter, and apply lightly.

• Alternatively, you can use a cheap pressed powder, also a shade or two lighter, and apply liberally. The light, powdered look was very much in fashion.

• Rouge was one product that started to be used for more of an everyday look, applied faintly to the cheeks and lips, but only to accentuate the natural colouring. Feel free to play around with this, applying a little blusher to the cheeks, and perhaps some tinted lip balm to the lips.
• Eye make up was still generally frowned upon, but this didn't stop women from coming up with ways to make their lashes appear longer, and so a bit of mascara can be used, but eyeliner came in much later.

• Eyebrows were a distinct feature of the desired Edwardian look, and creating that arched brow would add to the natural elegance, so have some fun there!

• Don't be afraid to experiment, and have a play to see just what works best for you.

Hair was a very important part of the Edwardian look. As the hats grew, so too did the hairstyles beneath in order to support them! Curls were all the rage, and curling irons soon came about, meaning hair became a frizzy, voluminous poof of curls piled on top of the head.

• For long to medium length, the easiest way to achieve your desired amount of volume, is to build your structure on top of something! Anything from hair rats to a pair of socks, with the hair swept over it works well. And you can almost mould it to fit underneath your hat, as they would have done.

• If your hair is shorter, then go for curls, and volume. Fluff it up and sweep it back to give the impression of an up-do.

• Edwardian hair was almost the opposite to the slick, neat and tidy look of the Victorians, so really go for the textured look.

• Some did have fringes, but they were heavily style and swept away from the face.

• Don't forget to style your hair to your hat! It should ideally be done in such a way that is can be seen from all angles, to show of your lovely locks.

Emily Winthrop, ca. 1910. Amateur autochrome by John B. Trevor.

A quick note.

This is what I've been up to recently.

First there was the Bath Jane Austen Festival back in September, along with the Regency outfit I made myself, which certainly deserves its own post, but here's a little teaser for you.

And then I did a bit of talking on how to achieve the Edwardian look for the volunteers at Polesden Lacey (that lovely Edwardian house where I get to sit and sew Edwardian costumes, often dressing up in them myself).

I went to an exhibition at the V&A, on wedding dresses from 1775-2014, which was brilliant. Each dress had been donated, and so there were little stories behind them, and it was just lovely.

I finished another Edwardian corset, complete with flossing (decorative embroidery that holds the boning in place), which was something new to me. I've yet to take photos of the finished product, but here's a work in progress shot.

And now, I am getting back into dressmaking after having taken a little break, getting back into knitting after having taken a bit of a longer break, and sewing another Edwardian corset.