There are certain things about the Victorian era that I love. They aren't very related to each other: bonnets, mourning, and artistic dress are the biggies at the moment.
There are also things about the era that I hate, corsets being one of them. It also frustrates me when things from different decades, which would go quite well together, must remain separated in order to be historically correct.
So, why remain historically correct?
I informally coined the term "Victorian Reconstructionism" to refer to modern interpretations of the Victorian culture and the sub- and countercultures that came with it. It doesn't require complete historical accuracy. You could wear a skirt, a sweater, and a Victorian-esque bonnet. Alternatively, you could wear black to varying degrees to honor a loved one. You could even mix different styles and different periods.
There is a style that would be considered Victorian Reconstructionist. It's called Lolita fashion, and incorporates petticoats and blouses, as well as other Victorian fashion elements. The skirts are approximately knee-length (longer or shorter, depending on the sub-style), a nod to younger girls' clothing. The style also has modern elements to it, such as certain prints on the skirts/dresses. (Think music notes, crosses, and fairy tale scenes.)
However, this style is specifically based on children's clothing, and is purely a fashion--cultural aspects are almost all lost, except for "lifestyle Lolitas" who practice traditional arts and crafts. Therefore, those wishing to take on certain Victorian customs without dressing up might not like it.
Victorian Reconstructionism is a very loose term, and can mean anything from dressing traditionally to having 19th-century manners. It is meant as a much-encompassing term.
Oh, and for any Lolitas who might have been offended by my review of the Lolita fashion, I'd like to note that I am a part-time Loli who loves the fashion.
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