Civilian Authenticity Standards
In General
All impressions should reflect
the social status being portrayed.
All items must predate
September 1862 or must be exact reproductions thereof.
Keep in mind that you must
manage any and all belongings you bring on the march or
to the first person area.
Women
- Cotton
or wool dresses in period appropriate prints; there will
be no blouse/ skirt/ jacket combinations permitted. White
dress collars are highly suggested;
- Aprons
and outerwear must be of correct materials and
construction;
- Correct
underpinnings are required. Corded petticoats are
preferred. (Large hoops prohibited);
- Stockings,
in appropriate colors according to economic status, are
required. Socks or pantyhose are prohibited;
- Shoes/
boots of leather are recommended or period homemade
substitutes are acceptable;
- Headgear
should either be bonnets, corded sunbonnets, quilted
bonnets, knitted hoods, and wool material according to
the impression, with Slat bonnets being preferred;
- Non-period
eyewear is prohibited. Use either period correct glasses
or contacts;
- Accessories
such as jewelry should be limited and simplistic in style
appropriate to the economic status of the portrayal;
- Hair
should be parted in the center, no bangs, and confined at
the nape of the neck. Hairnets can be worn if made of
correct materials and worn appropriately; and
- Make-up,
modern hairstyles, loose hair, painted fingernails, white
blouses or socks, sweatpants, Garibaldi blouses, Zouave
jackets, large hoops, zippers, plastic buttons or
jewelry, wristwatches, modern glasses or sunglasses, stud
or post earrings, ball gowns, and any other inappropriate
item is prohibited.
Men
- Socks
should be made of either cotton or wool. Hand and machine
knitted. In appropriate colors: white, black, and some
colors;
- Shirts
should be cut full, drop shoulders, attached or detached
collar. Shirts should be of correct material: wool
flannel, cotton, or linen in solid or period prints
according to the social class being represented;
- Trousers
should be made of a durable cloth such as: wool
broadcloth, light to heavy wool, cotton, wool sateen,
linen, or jeancloth. In plaids, checks, and solids of
natural colors in various weaves. Pockets can be in the
front but rear pockets are prohibited;
- Neckwear
can include a cravat or neck cloth;
- Shoes
should be either a boot, shoe, brogan, or elastic-sided
shoes, according to the impression being represented;
- Sack
or frock must be of period materials and construction
(see trouser materials);
- All
civilian hats must be of a documented period style and
properly blocked;
- Jewelry
should be simple, made in the period style, and
appropriate to the economic status of the portrayal: a
timepiece, watch chain and fob, ring, cuff buttons or
pin;
- Other
accessories could include a walking stick, handkerchief,
or other period items pertaining to a particular trade;
- No
modern items will be allowed. Sweatpants, zippers,
plastic buttons or jewelry, wristwatches, modern glasses
or sunglasses, non-period hairstyles, earrings of any
type, and any other inappropriate item is prohibited; and
- All
visible seams must be handsewn.
Children
- In
general, clothing for children should follow the
guidelines set for adults, with appropriate adaptations
being made for the child's age;
- In
some cases, children have worn military-influenced
styles, but military uniforms and accouterments are
forbidden;
- No
modern items will be allowed on the march or in the
first-person area. Modern toys are prohibited.
Miscellaneous Items
- Any
blankets brought must be of proper period construction
and materials. Civilian blankets including quilts and
coverlets are preferred over military style blankets; and
- Period
wheelbarrows and wagons to carry belongings are
acceptable.
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Last updated 21 July
2002 at 1245 hrs.