A cheat-sheet for making your writing/art historically accurate, and some inspiration for your MC - women's addition.
Victorian fashion was complicated, both in terms of the construction and the rules that dictated when certain garments could be worn. Age played an important role in what a person was permitted to wear, so lets break it down that way:
Younger Students (Roughly years 1-4)
Generally speaking, girls dressed in similar styles to their mothers, but with altered hemline lengths. Up until roughly 13-14 years old (exact ages were decided by the girl's family) her hemline would fall around the knee. At 14 it would be lowered to the middle of the shins.
At this age girls would wear dresses, and so you could suggest that Hogwarts uniforms for girls at this age would not consist of the shirt and skirt combo that MC and various NPCs wear.
Most schools in the 1890s did not have set uniforms, but instead girls were expected to wear an apron to protect their clothes from ink and chalk dust.
At this age it was still considered socially acceptable for girls to wear their hair down, or in more simple hairstyles like braids. Popular hair accessories included ribbons and straw hats.
Time for some examples:
This is an example of a day dress (casual clothes) from 1893. Smocking (the embroidery technique used at the collar, waist and cuffs) was popular in young girls clothes.
Another example of children in day dress. The girl on the far left is probably about 13-14, the older girl on the right is closer to 15.
An example of the aprons worn by younger students.
Details of the dresses worn underneath (technically from 1897 but the styles are fairly similar)
Details of the aprons worn
Older Students (Roughly years 5-7)
Around the time that the MC joins at Hogwarts, she would, depending on her personal preferences, have kept her skirt at her mid shin or dropped the hem to her ankles. Around the age of 17, girls would be expected to fully let down their hems to the floor, signifying their shift to adulthood.
At this point dresses would become less popular during the day, and were replaced by blouses (complete with very large sleeves) and a skirt. Men's tailoring and sports clothes shaped women's fashion at the time, and greatly influenced what girls wore at this age.
Girls would also typically stop wearing their hair down during the day, resorting to simple up-dos instead.
The time at which each girl made these changes depended on her and her family. While some girls had no choice but to listen to their parents, often they were able to bargain for an extra few months if they so wished.
An example of two girls around the age of 15 in very typical day outfits.
A selection of school girls - those sitting are no older than 14, those standing are no older than 16.
At the age of 15-16 girls would begin to attend more family functions and required new styles of clothes. These paintings show the same tea gown. These were made to be worn at home, never in public, when the family was hosted guests or a less formal dinner. They could be worn at all times of the day.
Day clothes for students who dressed as adults (17+):
A British Upper VI class (age 17-18) and some teachers in 1894. All girls now wear dresses with their hems on the ground, and hair tied up.
Middle class girls fashion in the 1890s
A Woman's sweater from 1895
Walking outfit from 1894 - essentially a more substantial outfit for spending time outdoors.
A more expensive version of a day outfit.
Tea gowns:
Generally identified by their loose fit, high neckline, and a train that falls from the shoulders. Additionally they may also be made with a large coat over the top. The shape was inspired by medieval fashion and so they're a good source of inspiration for the wizarding world imo.
Evening gowns:
Worn for the most formal evening events, and generally expose more skin than day clothes. Staple accessories included fans, opera gloves, and (if you're that way inclined) tiaras were coming into popularity at this time.
Rule of thumb for all fashion at this time, the sleeves get largest in the middle of the decade, and shrink back down again towards the end.
Lore-friendly & historical influences for Fingon's plaits braided with gold; Fingon had a typical Noldor appearance with straight, long, dark hair, and from information in the Professor's texts, we can deduce that he had fair skin, light eyes (either grey or blue, or a mixture of both), and straight hair (which the following hairstyles were intended for) (Refs; 1, 2).
The following are likely what the Professor had in mind when writing Fingon the Valiant. He was primarily inspired by Northern Europe, but similarities between the Eurasian Scythians, the Celts, the Saxons, and the Normans. The Eldar had little difference between males and females, so the hairstyles modeled by women suggest that Tolkien's elves are depicted as somewhat androgynous, with less sexual dimorphism than humans.
Fingon by BellaBergolts
(1 Knightly Braids of the Normans and Anglo-Saxons) / (2 Scythian braids
(3 Norse braids / (4 Celtic braids
Summary: In a world where Middle-earth and Earth have established diplomatic and academic relations, a doctoral student at Harvard specialising in cultural trauma studies, finds himself unexpectedly hosted by Glorfindel, a legendary elven warrior and visiting professor from Imladris. What begins as a practical housing arrangement evolves into something deeper as they navigate cultural differences, academic challenges, and growing feelings for each other.
Pairing: Glorfindel x OMC
Tags: Modern Setting AU, Friends to Lovers, Developing Friendships, Character Development, Re-embodied Glorfindel, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Slow Burn, Feelings Realisation, Cultural Differences, Elf/Human Relationship, Elf Culture & Customs, Mutual Pining, Love Confessions, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Mortality, Classical References, Character Study?, Lots of academic talk and lore, Skippable Sexual Content, Earth and Arda exist simultaneously, Post-Fourth Age of Arda, Late Sixth Age, Multiple Religion & Lore Sources, Healthy Relationships, Angst and Feels, The Inherent Angst Of Immortal/Mortal
Words: 282k + alternate epilogue (29k)
Authors Note: This is 100% a passion project that got out of hand. I've recently gotten into posting on Tumblr, and what better thing to do than promote my finished fic!
This fic has a lot of lore involved, but it's nearly all from canon (just expanded upon).
Chapter 1: Mercy, Pity, Peace: The Golden Professor
Thou fair-haired angel of the evening,
Now, whilst the sun rests on the mountains, light
Thy bright torch of love; thy radiant crown
Put on, and smile upon our evening bed!
