Elsie Dinsmore was a wealthy child whose riches rivaled that of many European princesses. Elsie, however, was not a spoiled princess, but a thoughtful, kind, and loving girl. As a child of the early Victorian years who grew up in the pre-Civil War South, Elsie lived a controlled lifestyle. She was rarely alone and she was dressed and redressed several times a day by the servants who cared for her. Elsie might change her clothes as often as five times a day—not including things like calling on neighbors and changing into nightclothes for sleeping. As a wealthy heiress, Elsie traveled a great deal and shopped in the finest of cities where she ordered dresses, coats, and undergarments from the most famous of designers. Elsie had shoes or slippers to wear with every change of clothes, and ribbons or ornaments for her hair to match. She even had someone to brush her hair everyday and make sure that every bow and sash was properly tied. The Elsie Dinsmore Doll wardrobe reflects the lifestyle portrayed in Elsie’s stories.
Beginning the Day
Elsie’s School Pinafore would have been worn over her undergarments, or at times, over her day dress while she was in the schoolroom doing her studies. Her school pinafore protected her clothing from ink stains or other things that could damage her clothing. Her school hat was worn when the daily studies took them out of the classroom and into the garden. No proper young Southern girl would go into the sunlight without the protection of a hat.
Dinner with the Family
Elsie’s Flowered Day Dress is her Morning Dress. Elsie would have worn this ensemble for the midday meal on the plantation (which was the main meal of the day), when the family gathered to share what was happening in their world.
Afternoon Tea
Elsie would have put on her Afternoon Tea Dress following her midday rest so that she could take tea with her relatives or neighbors who came to call.
Afternoon Calling
If friends did not come to take tea, then Elsie would travel to other plantations for tea. She always wore some form of wrap or coat. Her Blue Merino Coat with its many coordinating accessories served this purpose in cold weather.
Evening Visitors
Bedtime
In Elsie’s era, night clothes were called nightdresses, and they were often as elegant and fancy as the clothes worn during the day. Elsie’s nightdress is embroidered with lovely flowers, and she has a lace nightcap that protects her curls from tangles while she sleeps.
Undergarments
Undergarments were very elegant in Elsie’s time. Elsie has undergarments for every occasion and outfit, from simple stripped voile undergarments for everyday; blue taffeta for under her evening dresses, to feminine pink, white satin, and lacy white undergarments to complete her wardrobe.
Special Occasions
Every plantation had great celebrations for various occasions. On these occasions, everyone dressed in the finest of garments. Elsie has a lovely pink embroidered party dress and a red velvet dress suitable for Christmas holidays.
Elsie’s Presentation Dress (the outfit the doll comes dressed in), and accessories are what Elsie might have worn when guests came to call at Roseland’s or when she went to visit other plantations. Guests often came for evening visits and most plantations offered entertainment in the form of music and readings when friends came to call. Elsie’s White Eyelet Recital dress also serves as an evening gown for her; when she wore this one, Aunt Chloe was always very careful with the sash.
Accessories
Accessories played an important fashion role in Elsie’s era, and the Elsie Dinsmore Doll has a complete selection of appropriate accessories; she has a lace parasol, a flower and ribbon trimmed hat, a lace pocket, an embroidered shawl, a beaded purse, a tapestry travel bag, several handkerchiefs, and her own little doll.