How to Dress for Holiday Caroling

Caroling is a tradition that dates back centuries. Groups would get together and sing Christmas carols for friends and neighbors. They would go door to door spreading holiday cheer, or gather at a set location and entertain passersby. Today, that tradition continues. During the holiday season carolers can be found in malls, on street corners and performing at various locations. Here is how to dress for holiday caroling.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Dress up for your holiday caroling. Choose from traditional Victorian dress or current day apparel. Search costume shops or vintage clothing stores for Victorian and Dickinson-type apparel. Ask friends and relatives if they have anything similar to this type of dress. You can also make your own.
2. Research traditional dressing styles of the Victorian Age. Look for ladies petticoats, hoop skirts, corsets and chemises to wear under your holiday caroling dress with a fan front bodice closely fitted or bell-shaped sleeves. Dresses should be detailed with lace, fringe, ribbons, flounces and other adornments. Top it off with a bonnet and a shawl. Other accessories include gloves, a small purse, parasol and handkerchief. Leather boots with side laces and pointy toes are representative of the Victorian Era as well.
3. Choose long coats or tails for the gentleman in the caroling party. The "walking-suit," as it was called, consists of a short, double-breasted coat made of ribbed or plain dark fabric. Wear a vest with a broad collar made of the same material as the coat. Pants may have diagonal stripes or made of a solid color with a darker-colored stripe on the side. Make sure the pants fit properly and are cut wider at the ankle to accommodate the boots with buttons and laces for more fashionable "street wear." Find the right hat, gloves and handkerchief, and you are ready to go caroling.
4. View pictures one the Victoriana website for more ideas.
5. Wear comfortable shoes. This may mean your "traditional" outfit has to be a little less authentic. Most shoes (and clothing) from the Victorian age were about image and the appearance of comfort.
6. Consider the weather when making choices for outdoor caroling. For the contemporary carolers, holiday sweaters and shirts in the season's popular colors are the norm. Scarves, earmuffs, and gloves are appropriate as well.

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