Anyone have ideas for a Victorian themed party?
 

I am planning to throw a Victorian era themed party somewhere in the near future. So far I am planning to have it held in a ballroom at an elegant hotel. It would be a bit difficult for most of the guests to find Victorian era clothes so I decided that they can wear formal apparel, but must wear accessories that would help with the theme like white gloves and fancy hats for example.

Anyone got ideas for dress code, decorations, etc.?

(Also it is sort of a mix of Victorian, Baroque, Rococo,and Edwardian eras)

For the dress code I would say any neutral colors would be ok. I would discurage really bright colors such as pink or bright yellow. I would also discurage a materal that would make the cloths appear shiny or glittery. Other than that I think you already have the bases for the dress code.

For basic decorations I would just get some nice floral and candle centerpieces. And if you can, have the food served on Victorian print platters. They don't need to be elaborate.

But all in all, it really depends on how much money you want to pump in to a party like this.

Get your darkest skinned friend to be the butler.

Motherfucker stole my funny.

Give everyone syphilis.

As a party game, dig a big hole in the garden and force the children to go and find coal in it for a tiny little bit of cake. =D

I can think of multiple occasions to do this.
And I could probably make up a good few more for convenience.

Just sit around and be bored as fuck. I'm pretty sure that was the Victorian thing to do. Oh sure, have your dance but then it goes back to sitting around trying to make pleasant conversation about marriage prospects and politics, but eventually you're gonna get up and beat that butler for some petty reason while everyone else pretends to ignore, but secretly they wish they thought of that.

Hope that helped!

It sounds like you are planning on this being quite the glittering affair, my whiskered friend.

A previous respondant mentioned limiting the color palette to neutrals, but as someone who is something of an aficionado of Victorian fashion, I find this advice to be restrictive. Victorian women wore gowns featuring a wide spectrum of colors, not merely drab blacks, browns, grays and sombre tones. Even gentlemen of the time might have added a splash of color in the form of silk or satin waistcoats, sometimes with brocade, embroidered embellishment and ornate buttons. I might suggest avoiding only the most acid of hues, such as neons.

The other ideas you mentioned in your original post seem to be suitable for the atmosphere you are looking to cultivate. I do hope for your sake, however, that those you intend to invite to this old-fashioned soiree will not be put-off by your stylistic requirements.

Dont make it TOO authentic though, like for example no using lead face powder.

http://www.somethingawful.com/d/news...-gentleman.php

Eh, just send this to your male party guests and you should be solid.

And if all else fails, again...

Try one of those sherlock holmes dinner party games, but don't tell anyone that it is happening...