19th Century Lifestyle

Laundry Day

What does it mean to have a 19^th century lifestyle? To me to have or live a 19^th century lifestyle is more than just dressing up in 19^th century clothing. In my efforts to explore Victorian period America I attempt to experiment with different decades of the period, the different lifestyles of the people throughout America.

I became fascinated with the pioneering lifestyle of the early American when I was just a boy.I loved the heroics and rugged manliness of characters like Danial Boone, Kit Carson, Buffalo Bill, and the old west personalities of Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, and Bat Masterson. These were men's men who were not afraid to throw down and defend what they believed in. This was my idea of 19^th century America.

The heroic tales of the above mentioned men only scratches the surface of the19^th century. Countless other Americans toiled away in factories, on plantations, small farms, or in the many other mundane professions and labours of the day. An example of this is laundry; someone had to do it. In a city if you were well off you might be able to have you clothing washed by a laundress, but if you lived rurally or poor you would have to do it yourself. I spent a summer washing all of my clothing by hand in a washtub with a washboard (above). It was hard work, but it felt quite rewarding. 

In an effort to explore all 19^th century avenues available to me I have taken on many roles. In my daily life I find myself at a desk in suit and tie laboring away at  my duties. There are other times I spend farming on a small piece of land, or in a field tent cooking on the open fire. My goal is to make my best attempt at emulating the lives all the everyday people who forges their way in America in the 19^th century. Although I still prefer the rugged lives of those hearty pioneers who traveled west to make new lives for themselves and their families I will make special attempts to explore other avenues of the Victorian era.

                                                                                               R.P. Black

Spectacles

Finding 19th century eyewear that is not only period correct, but also prescription can be extremely difficult and costly. If you are lucky enough to find spectacles that are period correct they can run up to $300.00 or more and in most cases are not covered by any 21st century healthcare plan.

I am lucky enough to have a healthcare plan that covers most of the cost on both lens and frames. In the past I have searched for period spectacles, which I found either as antiques or modern versions touted as so-called replicas. I made due with some spectacles that sort of kind of looked period, but I was never quite satisfied.

Recently I found the Historic Eyewear Company and this company has the real deal. Their frames are ophthalmic quality, prescription ready, historically accurate models of original antique spectacles. Historical Eyewear Co. offers frames from ranging from 1835 to 1895 that are octagon, oblong, and large and small oval all which come in colors that simulate gold, silver, blued steel used in the originals. They are designed to accommodate both prescription and nonprescription lenses of any power or correction, suitable for reading, distance, bifocals, progressive lenses, sunglasses and nonprescription colored lenses.

On their website they have a list of “Spectacle Merchants” across the United States and in Europe or you can buy clear plastic or readers right from their site. I was lucky and they had a merchant nearby in my state and my insurance would cover most of the cost of the lens and frames. I chose the octagon Tombstone Silver Dust frames. 

I had my spectacles within three days of placing the order and I purchased the 1800's metal flip-top spectacle case along with them. You can’t be too careful after all. They were easy to adjust and fit better than any spectacles I had ever had before. They are very durable and they look and feel authentic.  

Where do you get your clothes?

Where do you get your clothes?

The biggest question I get asked is, where do you get your clothes? Normally I give the simple answer of, on the internet. While this is true it is not the full story. There are several internet venders where I can buy varying quality clothing.  I purchase clothing from the middle spectrum to the high. I do this because I need clothing for my job, outdoors, daily use, and for fancy dress. 

Merchants                            

I purchase my clothing primarily from three retailers and three specific brands. Each retailer and/or brand varies in price and quality. However do not let a lower price fool you on quality. I have purchased some inexpensive items that were of extremely high quality. Bellow I will discuss each in detail.

Pricing Guide                                                                          Quality Guide
$ = Low                                                                                  Q = Low
$$ = Moderate                                                                        QQ = Moderate
$$$ = High                                                                              QQQ = Exceptional

River Junction Trading Company 312 Main St, McGregor, IA 52157 (563) 873-2387
http://www.riverjunction.com/      $$ - $$$           QQQ

River Junction "Dandy Suit"

From their website;

River Junction Trade Company was founded in 1973, making it the oldest company of its kind still in business today.  We produce 19th century dry goods with a strong emphasis on the Old West.  In 2013 we will be celebrating our 40th year of servicing the historic, re-enactment industry with our 19th century dry goods business.  Linda and I and our great sales team look forward to many, many more great years to be had in this business.

River Junction sells a high quality product that is perfect for 1850 through to the end of the Victorian period. I have purchased shirts, a full suit, hats, and accessories from them. They have two types of suits, the Sack Suit and the Dandy. The Sack Suit works well for the 1850s – 60s look and the Dandy fits well for the post post-bellum period on to the turn of the century. 

They also make excellent hats. I own one, the High Derby in brown wool felt. One of the the best hats I have ever purchased. Each hat is hand styled by Jim Boeke who has been shaping hats for over 37 years.

Wild West Mercantile 7302 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85207 (800) 596-0444

http://www.wwmerc.com       $ - $$           QQ

Wild West Mercantile is a catchall for old west clothing and accessories. They sell many different brands some made in the USA and others made overseas. The brands I buy are Wah Maker, Rangwear, and Frontier Classics. Both Wah Maker and Rangwear are manufactured by Scully Leather of California. The Wah Maker brand is 100% made in the USA and is of a better quality than both the Rangewear and Frontier Classics brands; however I do recommend all three brands.

Gentleman’s Emporium San Jose, California

http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/      $ - $$           QQ

Gentleman’s Emporium is strictly an E-commerce company. They provide goods and services to Victorian, old west and 19th century re-enactors, performers, and living history enthusiasts through their websites. Gentleman’s Emporium has been online since 2003, and the Gentleman's Emporium brand has been in family operation since 1995.

Gentleman’s Emporium sells goods from Scully leather, which includes Wah Maker and Rangerwear. They also sell Frontier Classics and their own brand of clothing. I have purchased items including a frock coat made by them, which I have received many welcomed complements on. Their customer service is outstanding. I had an issue with a pair of bracers I purchased with them, which they replaced within three days. 

Providence Trading Company

Providence Trading Company is my company that was established in 2006. My wife Katherine makes made to order items including shirts, vests, trousers, and coats for customers who want the personal touch. Katherine has been making clothing and historical clothing for close to 20 years. Our brand of clothing ranges from the 17^th century to the late 19^th century. I also sell the Scully Leather brands of Wah Maker and Rangewear. We sell a wide range of reenactment clothing and accessories. Most of our business is conducted locally through word of mouth. 

I prefer to have my clothing mad for me. Off the rack items are fine, but when you have a shirt made to fit it is understandably much better. However if you do not have the luxury of being married to a seamstress/tailor this can be quite expensive. 

Besides the above mentioned and recommended companies there are a lot of others on the internet that with a quick search anyone can find.

Keeping Up to Date

For my first post I wanted to bring my readers up to speed on where I am at with this grand experiment. Over the past two years the experiment has progressed greatly. In the beginning I was working with modified 21^st century clothing that I made to look 19^th century. Over time I purchased or had my wife (who is a seamstress/tailor) make period correct clothing. There are still a few items that I need to completely flesh out my appearance.

RP Black, spring 2014

My current clothing list consists of the following:

9 Shirts
8 Trousers
6 Vests
2 Sack Coats
2 Frock Coats
3pr. Shoes/boots
4 Bracers
4 Hats
3 Ties
Wool Great Coat
1860s Duster
Blanket Coat
Black Gloves
Pocket Watch
1860s Wallet
Coin Purse
Carpet Bag
1860 Spectacles


There are still a few things I need that are not as vital as the list above such as draws (underwear), socks, gloves, and a walking cane.

The idea that in the 19^th century people only had one set of clothing that they wore all the time is a myth that many people still believe today. In fact even in early centuries men and women of any sort of middling class had various clothing items that they could mix and match to make complete outfits. As for my collection of clothing some are everyday ware for work, fancy dress, or in a few cases “farm” work.

My outward appearance is but only one portion of the whole package I am attempting to become. As of today I have been dressing in period correct fashion for the Victorian era for close to two years, and I never deviate.

The most difficult part of all of this is vocabulary and manners. I have begun by changing my greetings to people such as instead of saying hi or hello I say good morning, afternoon, or evening. There are a few other saying, words, and phrases that I have adopted, however some Victorian era words are not seen as politically correct in the 21^st century. These could prove most embarrassing to use in social or business situations.

Over the next few months I plan to work on improving my mannerisms and vocabulary. The hardest place to do this will be at work because I work with a bunch of guys and it is like junior high school. Of course this could make for a great proving ground for this experiment.

R.P. Black