We all had so much fun at Saturday’s “Civil War Living History Event: Fashion Try-On,” held in conjunction with Threads of War: Clothing & Textiles of the Civil War. Our friends from the Carolina Ladies Aid Society brought a plentiful supply of dresses and accessories for women, coats and hats for the men, and period style outfits for the children. They helped Museum visitors dress as they would have in the mid 19th century. Nearly 100 people came between 10:00 and 1:00, donning hoop skirts and Civil War uniform coats and posing for their own cameras or the museum photographer.

Set in front of a draped backdrop, these modern people were transformed into solemn civilians or soldiers of the Civil War period. They discovered the joys (or woes) of wearing a big hoop or heavy wool coat and perhaps felt just a little bit different than when they arrived in blue jeans and t-shirts.

Here are some of our favorite photos from the event

View the complete set of Fashion Try-on Photos

View a slide show of all the Fashion Try-on Photos

If you missed this fun event, you still have an opportunity to try on mid-19th century garments at The Charleston Museum. A selection of reproduction clothing is always available for try-on in the Threads of War  exhibit. And, by popular demand, we will offer the fashion try-on program again in July. The probable date is July 9; please check our calendar of events for details as they become available.

Did you attend this event? Share your photos on our Facebook page and in our Flickr Group

Watch the Fashion Try-on video from the Post and Courier