What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
The dance cards could be simple pieces of paper or more elaborate designs incorporated into a woman's outfit for the evening. Some even converted their fans into dance cards.
By the end of the period, the early forms of tango and ragtime were beginning to gain popularity, and ballrooms were no longer the premier dancing venues. Instead, balls became associated with the older generation.
Sources: (Britannica) (Grunge) (Recollections)
See also: Ways Victorian fashion could kill you
The Victorian era, corresponding roughly to Queen Victoria's reign (1837–1901), was a time marked by revolutionary changes in the arts and sciences, a class-based society, and Britain's status as the most powerful empire in the world. This period also saw an abundance of balls—popular events that served as a stage for the upper classes to showcase their wealth, status, and refinement. Yet beneath the surface of the elegant gowns, elaborate decor, and fine china lay strict etiquette, unspoken rules, and the ever-present pressures of societal scrutiny.
If that has piqued your interest and you're keen to know what Victorian balls were really like, click through this gallery now to discover more.
As the Victorian era progressed, the waltz became more popular, as did the polka and the mazurka. The royal family also helped make Scottish reels a popular feature of balls.
Victorian society was governed by a strict set of etiquette rules that dictated social behavior and interactions among individuals. In order to let someone know you were romantically interested, you had to adhere to the protocols of polite conversation, and Victorians had specific ways of expressing interest.
Ladies at a public ball would carry a dance card to note the names of the gentlemen they had promised to dance with, arranged in chronological order along with the type of dance.
The kissing balls became more of a romantic symbol than one of good fortune, and Christmastime ballrooms often featured them as a place for young couples to meet. While kissing balls fell out of favor over the course of the 20th century, mistletoe remains a common decoration at Christmas parties today.
When dancing, men were expected to keep their attention focused on their partner and avoid attempting any dance they did not know. Intimate whispers or improper placement of their hands during a dance were also forbidden.
There were a number of principles of etiquette a man was expected to observe at a Victorian ball, from immediately replying to an invitation to ensuring all women had dance partners if he was hosting the event.
Dress codes for men attending balls were less strict than those for women. Men typically wore black coats, pants, and boots, while their shirts, gloves, and handkerchiefs were white. Embroidery on shirts and neckwear was frowned upon, and hair was expected to be well-kept but not overly curly.
It was fashionable at the time for blondes to wear lighter colors, whereas brunettes tended to favor richer tones. When it came to accessories, flowers and feathers were popular, but jewelry was kept minimal.
Dressing for a Victorian ball was an involved process, especially for women. Age, weight, hair, class, and marital status all factored into the cut and color of a ballroom gown. Wearing silk was considered inappropriate except for the married or the non-dancers.
Costumes could be a theme set by the hosts or chosen by the guests themselves. Popular choices were dressing as one's ancestors and going as a famous historical figure.
Invited guests could ask for extra invitations for plus-ones the hostess didn't know. Young men were usually approved more easily since they were considered an asset at a ball, while unfamiliar, unescorted women became the hosts' responsibility.
Balls were highly organized events that required a committee of five to 20 members to manage. Their responsibilities included securing a venue, sending invitations and admission tickets, appointing someone to check the tickets, and finding a master of ceremonies to facilitate introductions among guests.
By the 1840s, the popularity of couples dances like the polka led to the creation of the earliest year-round nightclubs. More successful, however, were the ballrooms included in civic buildings constructed during the mid-to-late Victorian period.
Technically, it was illegal to host a public dance without a magistrate's sign-off, and authorities didn't hesitate to close down household balls.
Some historical records suggest that Victorian ladies flirted using various signals conveyed through hand fans, which were a staple of ballroom fashion. Allegedly, drawing the fan across one’s cheek signified love.
A themed costume ball was a grand affair at the height of the Victorian era, offering hostesses a perfect opportunity to make a name for themselves among the social elite. These events were the talk of the town and a favorite among the aristocracy.
Finding a ballroom or an appropriate substitute wasn't easy for Victorian party planners. Dancing's popularity in the 19th century put a high demand on available spaces.
Throwing a ball was no easy feat, even with the assistance of servants and contractors. Clearing furniture and carpeting from the ballroom and decorating the floor with chalk to keep dancers from slipping were just some of the tasks involved.
Balls weren't new to the Victorian era, they were already commonplace in the Georgian or Regency period. The ball during this time was distinguished from other parties by featuring dance as the exclusive source of entertainment for the evening.
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897 was marked by the most famous costume ball of the era in Devonshire House. Before her husband died in 1861, she threw several fancy dress balls.
It was recommended for a guest to include those who the host or hostess would invite to a formal dinner: personal friends and social acquaintances of a certain level of reputation. Very rare exceptions would be made for co-workers.
If invitations were going out beyond the hosts' local community, it was considered polite to have someone from each town on the comittee. It was also good form to RVSP within 24 hours.
As the middle class became more prosperous throughout the 19th century, etiquette was a way for nobility to distinguish themselves, and for the middle class to climb the social ladder.
The pressure to perform well at balls was immense. Women were often judged not just on their looks but also on their ability to engage in polite conversation and dance skillfully.
The kissing ball was an ornament made of herbs, holly, mistletoe, and evergreen plants, used as a decoration at some balls during the festive period. Passing under it was said to bring good luck.
What was a Victorian ball really like?
Everything you need to know about these highly prescribed social events
LIFESTYLE History
The Victorian era, corresponding roughly to Queen Victoria's reign (1837–1901), was a time marked by revolutionary changes in the arts and sciences, a class-based society, and Britain's status as the most powerful empire in the world. This period also saw an abundance of balls—popular events that served as a stage for the upper classes to showcase their wealth, status, and refinement. Yet beneath the surface of the elegant gowns, elaborate decor, and fine china lay strict etiquette, unspoken rules, and the ever-present pressures of societal scrutiny.
If your interest has been piqued and you're keen to know what Victorian balls were really like, click through this gallery now to discover more.