Visit costume shops, thrift stores, and search online to find Victorian style clothes. If you know how to sew, you could even make your own dresses! You can also wear a floor-length skirt with a blouse tucked in for a more conservative look. For formal events, like balls and weddings, low-cut dresses with short sleeves were popular, though they had to be paired with long white gloves.

Victorian trousers are usually loose at the ankle, have a high waistband, and are tighter at the top. Subtle plaids are also acceptable materials for pants. [4] X Research source

Fashionable men in the Victorian era would wear tall leather boots overtop of their pants, especially in bad weather. [6] X Research source Don’t forget to keep your shoes clean and polished.

Men and women in the Victorian era used their clothes and accessories as a way of showing others who they were and what class they belonged to. Dressing appropriately and with care was something they put a lot of time into every day.

For a fancier event, a masculine option is a tuxedo jacket with a shawl color and silk facings. These are also suitable for dinner parties or special social events. The Norfolk jacket was popular with both men and women. These are longer jackets that generally reach mid-thigh and button up the front. [9] X Research source

Modern conveniences like hairdryers, curlers, straighteners, gels, deodorant, body washes, and nail polishes weren’t around in the Victorian era. Hairsprays were used in this era. Women made their own, and Bandoline was marketed, though it wasn’t like the hairsprays of today. So if you need some, don’t be afraid to use it. Makeup was also used, mainly by middle and upper-class women. They used it lightly, to look as natural as possible. There were cosmetics available for purchase, albeit not many. Pale skin was the favored complexion of the Victorian era. While a lot of women at that time practiced unhealthy and dangerous means to achieve paler skin, you can instead focus on staying out of direct sunlight, getting 7-8 hours of sleep every night, and eating a healthy diet. Castile soap was established in 1839 and was marketed in Victorian magazines, and you can still buy it today. [10] X Research source

Women and men should both take special care to keep their hair from flying about.

Getting off of social media is another way you can live like a Victorian.

Chances are that you have a freezer and a traditional stove and maybe a microwave, too. Unless you plan to get rid of those inventions that weren’t around in the Victorian era, just try to be more mindful when you use them.

To get really authentic, invest in a fountain pen that requires a bottle of fresh ink.

Most people won’t have the ability to completely get rid of their dependence on cars or buses or trains, but being more mindful of how you get around is helpful in trying to like like a Victorian.

You could even start a book club with friends who are interested in the same time period—just make sure to send them a hand-written invitation!

The first sewing machine was invented in 1846, so you could try to find an era-appropriate machine, or learn how to sew by hand. [18] X Research source

Don’t forget your parasols to protect you from the sun!

You can download garden plans online or take measurements of your yard and create a plan yourself, if desired. Popular plants of the Victorian era include acacia, amaranthus, scarlet basil, bluebell, chrysanthemum, geranium, impatiens, morning glory, periwinkle, primrose, rose, and snapdragon. [22] X Research source

Singing and playing instruments were hobbies of the upper class and were essential to being a well-rounded, educated individual.

You may not be able to control what period the play or opera you are seeing comes from, but you can at least rest assured that your chosen activity is reminiscent of what people in the Victorian era did for fun.