While masked balls were somewhat stigmatized during the Georgian era, by the time Victorians came about, fancy dress balls were all the rage. And fashion publications of the time had plenty of creative and sometimes bizarre costume ideas. And since I love Batman this Victorian Bat fancy dress is especially appealing to me.
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| Bat costume, La mode illustrée, Journal de la famille, 1887 |
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| Bat fancy dress based on 1887 fashion plate |
This whimsical costume consists of a flounced skirt with crinoline, polonaise, corset bodice, opera gloves and a fichu with a cape shaped like bat wings attached. Two little bats perch on the shoes and a slightly larger bat is spread over the bosom. Add a cute bat-hat and the costume is complete. For me it's the hat that makes this costume absolutely worth the effort. And who can resist coming to a Halloween party dressed as a Victorian Batgirl?
The best part, you can actually buy a
pattern for this outfit! Unfortunately the bat-hat is not included. And
Sewing to Distraction actually recreated this look last year. Check out her
step-by-step journey into Victorian fancy dress.
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