Here at Civil War Dresses.org you’ll also find a number of creative accessory ideas to put that special finishing touch on your  Civil War Era Costume!  You’ll find 1860’s era handbags, shoes & lace-up boots, stockings, gloves, parasols, lace fans, hoop skirts, and even wigs & snoods!

White Plus Size Civil War Costume. My stars! A magnificent Southern Belle! A white tiered hoop dress with green satin trim and waist sash comes with a beautiful yellow sun hat with a green ribbon tie.  Available in one standard Plus Size which fits sizes 16 to 24.

The dress is 100% woven nylon and is hand washable.  The sheer fabric is easy to see through so be prepared to wear a camisole and full-length petticoat with this costume.





Red Plus Size Civil War Dress. Catch the eye of both Union and Confederate soldiers with this flashy red gown in this 1860’s era costume.  This outfit includes the red dress dress with black sash belt and the matching hat.  The costume is available in one standard plus size that fits women’s sizes 16 through 20.

The velvet choker, gloves, parasol, and boots are sold separately.

During the Civil War many women had to take on the jobs of the men in the family while they were away at war.  They had to step in and operate the family farm or business and do their best to keep food on the table for their families during these difficult years.  Women in the south had to learn to do the work in the cotton fields and on the plantations as many of the slaves had run away.

There was a great need for medical care resulting from the war and many women bravely stepped forward to volunteer as nurses to care for the wounded and sick soldiers.

Some of these nursing volunteers were prominent and heroic women and are still remembered and highly admired today. Clara Barton was one such woman. Clara was home schooled and became a teacher at the age of 15 and she established a free public school in her community.  During the Civil War she organized relief programs for the soldiers and helped with nursing care. Clara also began a program to trace men that were listed as missing in action and notified the families.  She is most well-known as the founder of the American Red Cross.

At the age of 59, former school teacher, Dorothea Dix, volunteered her services as a nurse for the Union army, and became the Superintendent of Female Nurses, which she did without pay for the rest of the war.  She was sometimes referred to as “Dragon Dix” for her stern ways.  Dorothea later spent more than 20 years working for better treatment of the mentally ill, as well as lobbying for better prison conditions.

And of course there was Florence Nightingale, who was an accomplished English nurse, a writer, and a statistician. Her mathematical analysis and nursing skills reformed the profession of nursing.

The Role Of Women During The Civil War

Filed under: Civil War Gowns