Minimum Requirements for Events

ONE OVERALL NOTE: You will periodically be told you MUST look like........ (whatever the person's personal crusade is). Nuts! Unless you are considering coming as Twiggy or Eleanor Roosevelt (in which case I'd expect you couldn't find the event) variations are the rule. It depends on the position in society you wish to portray, where you purportedly live, what you plan to be doing. Along with the pattern companies and Goudy's, look at period paintings and illustrations to get an idea of what someone who was trying to capture life as it was saw - look at photographs of people involved in activities and/or work and well as those coming to the studio for a portrait in their best clothes. A little diverse research will save you time, money and a lurking feeling of insecurity. If you   know what you are wearing is correct in your portrayed circumstance, you will be much more comfortable and give a better impression.

For Ladies:
Shoes or boots that incorporate the look of the period - from balmorals, ankle boots to simple banded black Chinese cloth slippers available at minimal cost.
Footwear of this period did not have pointy toes or skinny heels.

Footwear of this period did not have pointy toes or skinny heels.
Opaque Stockings or tights.
Pantelets or long underskirt - this is for your own protection! Until you bend over or sit back wearing a hoop, you will not fully appreciate this. If you're not wearing them, you will and it wil be TOO LATE!
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Period dress or skirt and blouse combination
FOR DAYTIME : Camp Dress with or without hoop, Day Dress with hoop. During the period, many 'city' dresses, both ay and evening, would have a small band of horsehair braid sewn on the inner hem and extending a little below the hem to keep the dress out of the dirt and help extend the life of the hem crease. Camp Dress with or without hoop, Day Dress with hoop. During the period, many 'city' dresses, both ay and evening, would have a small band of horsehair braid sewn on the inner hem and extending a little below the hem to keep the dress out of the dirt and help extend the life of the hem crease.
FOR EVENING: There are differing levels of evening wear - a Dinner Dress, a dress you would wear to the theatre or opera, a ball gown. The ballgown would be the most revealing and if you wish to be ready for these tiers of dress options, it is a good idea to make one great skirt with 2 tops of different styles. It was done in period to save fabric and is now an added good idea so you don't have to pack so much. There are differing levels of evening wear - a Dinner Dress, a dress you would wear to the theatre or opera, a ball gown. The ballgown would be the most revealing and if you wish to be ready for these tiers of dress options, it is a good idea to make one great skirt with 2 tops of different styles. It was done in period to save fabric and is now an added good idea so you don't have to pack so much.

For Children:
There are age appropriate suggestions above and you can use the simplest or most complex, at your druthers.

For Men:
Shoes or boots that incorporate a period look. As discussed above, the toes would tend to be broad and squarish. Boots would be similar to a demi-boot, tied or elastic gored, or higher work or cavalry boots. Gaiters were used in civilian life, too. Modern moccasins did not evolve until the 1880's and cowboy boots won't work either.
The several illustrations of men's clothing  that show a variety of styles that are available. At the very least, you'll need a drop shoulder shirt, button suspenders and non-pleated, tubular leg pants. Blue jeans and any pants with stitched-on back pockets are wrong as would be zippered fly front pants, opt for button fly front or drop front. The pants, shirt, suspenders and/or a period vest would be casual but workable. Hats would have been worn by almost everyone.
The several illustrations of men's clothing  that show a variety of styles that are available. At the very least, you'll need a drop shoulder shirt, button suspenders and non-pleated, tubular leg pants. Blue jeans and any pants with stitched-on back pockets are wrong as would be zippered fly front pants, opt for button fly front or drop front. The pants, shirt, suspenders and/or a period vest would be casual but workable. Hats would have been worn by almost everyone.