In a suitably festive episode, and to conclude this season’s costume shenanigans, Lucy and Ben consider a form of cultural expression that always seems relevant: Victoriana. From the costumes of the Queen and Empress Victoria, via the bravura public readings of Charles Dickins, to a very contemporary interpretation of the ‘Victorian Look’ with the Japanese Lolita, this episode – possibly more than any other – shows how we really do love a theme!

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and provide a suggestion for a fancy dress theme you’d like us to cover in a future show.

Show notes

• Dress: Fancy Instagram: @dressfancypodcast
• Penhaligon’s Instagram: @penhaligons_london
• Lucy Clayton: @mslucyclayton
• Benjamin Wild: @DrBenjaminWild
• Discovering the real Queen Victoria at Historic Royal Palaces: https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/discover-the-real-victoria/#gs.l5yy0a. 
• The inimitable Simon Callow discussing Charles Dickens as a performer: https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/dickens-the-performer. 
• Japanese lolitas in Amsterdam (via Refinery29): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV3OtzUwcPg&list=PLJEQBmLpTgd_-L45yq0GSqbKV3LySGFjO.