Footman Finery

Let's take a closer look at some period details...

1890s



Around 1892




From https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/tag/footmen/

Footmen tended to be young, tall, and good-looking.

Footmen, whose livery cost more than their yearly salary, were status symbols. Chosen for their height and looks, they were the only servants allowed to assist the butler at dinner table. These men were the only servants allowed upstairs.



This is a typical Victorian-era collar - tall and stiff. The smaller corner-folded tuxedo collar would not come into fashion for house staff until the following century.

*** Collection of modern re-creations of Victorian menswear


Available here

DIY  (Not the greatest instructions, but it has possibility)

Further discussion and options




To buy - Amazon Dry Goods

*** Ooh! Easy alteration of a regular dress shirt!

NOT BAD.

Napkin Ettiquette

While using napkins in connection with eating a meal has been around for over 600 years, it wasn't until the mid-1700's that napkins were placed across the lap. Prior to that time, the fashion in the French court was for men to wear stiff ruffled collars, and napkins were tied around the neck to protect the lace. (This also makes a lot of sense when you consider the lace falls men would wear, as modeled by His Majesty, King Louis Roman Numeral Something or Other.) His Emperial Ettiquetteness was the first to use formal, individual place settings with designated utensils at Versailles, and napkins went from small-blanket-sized to the now standard 30"x36". They were folded and placed across diners' laps in rank order, most-important person to least. As with most fashionable activities, aristocratic classes in European countries followed the French.

It is likely, however, that for the lower classes napkins would still be regularly tied around the neck, even for the following 100+ years. For Jean, he might tie the napkin around his neck to protect his uniform, or he might put it across his lap as a learned, deliberate mannerism. Miss Julie is more likely to automatically put a napkin on her lap without conscious thought.

Source: http://whatscookingamerica.net/EllenEaston/Napkins-History.htm

Fashionistas

The Victorian Era lasted from 1837-1901, and the influence of the British Empire stretched throughout aspects of Western culture - including fashion. Countries in Europe maintained elements of traditional dress, but generally exchanged styles and designs (particularly in the upper classes) across the continent.

From a Tumblr account:

Crown Prince Gustaf and Princess Victoria of Sweden, with Princess Charlotte of Saxe Meiningen and Prussia. 1880's.

For women, the silhouette was characterized by closely-fitted 'princess' seams for a curvy shape, corseted tightly at the waist and incorporating full skirts with a bustle. Suits for men became slightly more casual or boxy in shape, with a matching waistcoat (vest) rather than the more formal contrasting frock coat (fitted), waistcoat, and trousers. Cutaway tails were still used for formal morning dress and evening wear. Both sexes began to explore the idea of 'sportswear', somewhat looser fashions that allowed for greater range of motion during outdoor activities.

**Excellent descriptions, and fantastic pictures of women's wear in the 1880's  (seriously, really good)
Wikipedia page (some good visuals and descriptions)
Moving into the 1900's

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Servants

Footman

Junior Footman

House servants in Sweden

Maid

Kitchen scene in a farmhouse

Chambermaid

Chambermaid, too

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Illustrations from ladies' fashion magazines and pattern books for evening wear