The outward appearance alone does not determine an 1860's lady.  The way she acted and moved also determined a true lady.  We as women often forget to check our attitudes and demeanor of the twenty-first century at registration.  We are there to portray life in the1860's as accurately as possible.  We are not only re-enactors we are Living Historians.  What we show the public they take home with them.

Ladies in the Civil War did not act like pampered brats as Scarlet did.  They were not forward and definitely had manners.  Ladies did not swear and were polite.  I have on occasion heard swear words and impolite comments come out of lady re-enactor's mouths in ear shot of public and also to the public.  Looking like a lady is not being one.  Being soft spoken was highly sought of.

The way a lady held herself was with chin up, shoulders back, spine straight (thanks to the corset), and with a steady walk.  Hand and arm movements were slight and delicate in public.  The carriage of the body was smooth and graceful.   Remember ladies you had to catch the eye of the 1860's gentlemen with more than your looks; as half of them were concealed under all that clothing.  So ladies needed a charm and sweetness about them.

Also modern accessories do not fit with the 1860's look.  The most conspicuous being sunglasses.  Ladies, tinted glasses were used to treat Gonorrhea and Syphilis back then.  Bonnets, hats, and parasols were used to keep the sun out of the eyes.  Cigarettes hanging out of ladies mouths are also distracting from the 1860's look.  Women were not allowed to smoke back then.  There are numerous little things that add or subtract to the 1860's impression you are trying to portray.  All of these things fit together to create the perfect lady.  Manners, attitude, demeanor, and of course the appearance all have an effect on what the spectators take away with them.  Remember this may be the first time one of them has been to see a re-enactment; a positive first response is best to keep them coming back.

One last thought I would like to leave with you.  Please do research; especially if you are doing first person Impressions.  And please don't try to re-write the history of that person.  My relative has relayed to me several misleadings about certain portrayals mostly Ms. Clara Barton.  She was a great, courageous lady; as was the majority of the ladies worth first impressions.  Please do not disrespect their memories by portraying them any differently than they were.  Our men do research for their first impressions we can too;  the information is out there just waiting for us.

Thank you            Fredricka

Your suggestions to Bob have not gone unheard.  Some of you have asked about the language of the fan and of rings.  I will be researching these subjects (as I am not totally familiar with them) for further articles.  Thank you for your suggestions, they are appreciated.

One thing had come to my attention yet again.  I was told by a lady over hearing a conversation of a re-enactor with a spectator.  The re-enactor lady was asked why some women had full (hoop) dresses and some did not.  The lady re-enactor replied that the one's without hoops were portraying camp dresses.  This is true; but one thing the lady over hearing wanted me to point out is that the ladies in pictures with their camp dresses on always had on petticoats to make the skirts stand slightly away from the ladies figure; which many ladies out at re-enactments do not wear.  They would have had at least one or two petticoats on under the skirt.  I hope this helps some of you to portray a more accurate camp dress.