The Edwardian Ball is a curious event that mixes faux 1800’s fashion with Steampunk, producing a magical experience more closely resembling the Hatter’s Tea Party than anything else — so, naturally, we are attending.
Having a ball at the Edwardian ball.
Why “Edward”? The Edwardian Ball folks explain thus:
“The Edwardian Ball is an elegant and whimsical celebration of art, music, theatre, fashion, technology, circus, and the beloved creations of the late, great author and illustrator Edward Gorey. Set in a re-imagined “Edwardian Era,” this multi-city, multi-media extravaganza has grown over the past nineteen years from an underground club party into an internationally recognized festival of the arts, now operating with the blessing of The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust.”
That’s cool. But we are here to check out all the costumes and have fun. 😎
Edwardians frequently have dirty faces.
Some of the attendees are ill-fitted in their period pieces, and occasionally look dead. Perhaps they are chimney sweeps? Or perhaps just bad at applying make-up? We don’t know.
Giggity.
This being the 1880s, there is no shortage of décolletage. We approve.
I am all about the ladies.
Okay, this is getting gratuitous, but still, babes. Amirite?
Edwardian Goths grace our presence.
The Official Edwardian Ball states, “One of the key successes of our event is that we do not have a dress code, no kind of look or fashion is “right” or required. Our only request — and please, this we beseech of you — is that you dress up in some manner, step out of your ordinary life, and join the celebration!”
A very advanced and cultured idea, don’t you agree?
Bless me, Mother Superior.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, well, indulge in the celebration. It is always good to have holy people in attendance, in case someone sins. Or wants to sin. 😈
Eye yai yai!
Reminding us that medicine was a bit primitive in the 1880s, this lass nonetheless put on her finest regalia for this event.
Connie Conehead?
If you are going to put your hair up for the evening, really put it UP.
Well, okay, I guess…
Although this young lady looks healthy, it is important to remember that the people living in the Victorian age had a whopping 100% mortality rate. It is never too early to start cursing your enemies.
A dress of many pieces.
She is sitting because this dress weighs almost 15 pounds. Still, she looks damn good in it. 
I keep staring at her pockets…
We suspect this is the tailor’s daughter. She will always be able to have new clothes made for her.
This poe girl must be cold.
I don’t know what this has to do with a raven, and I seriously don’t care.
Hats
You are probably thinking, “This is nice. But what about hats?” Well, we’ve got you covered. 😆
Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
Some hats cover heads. Some hats are fashion statements. Some are both, and some are neither.
I’d like to jolly her roger!
This fetching lady is of a nautical bent. I suppose, like any pirate, she has booty she’s hiding.
Is this a voodoo doctor? A 19th century pimp? I’m confused.
You know, a girl with a hat is just so… Whew. So vogue. —Farmer Ted
His eyes are looking exactly the wrong direction.
We are not sure why goggles are necessary and, even if so, why they are worn on a hat. You’re not even looking at his hat, are you… 😳
Tube protectors are chic.
Sometimes a hat’s only function is to shield your diode vacuum tube earing. If she put a light bulb in her mouth, I wonder if it would light up…
Entertainment
The Edwardian Ball is not just pretty people and hats. Balls provide a wealth of activities and entertainment for the participants.
Shall we play a game?
On an indoor green, ladies and gentle enjoy a rousing game of croquet, with hoops looking like spiders.
A croquettiere demonstrates proper form.
Illustrating the sensibilities of Edwardian times, men and women compete and are ranked together in croquet.
Is she really small, or am I really big?
Acrobats high above the ground on trapezes entertain the Edwardian crowds, seemingly oblivious to the perils involved.
I hoop she doesn’t fall.
As a chantress enchants us with her chanting, a performer riding a hoop swings in the background. That probably happened often in the 1880s.
Shouldn’t the camera show us what they are all looking at?
An Edwardian music video, showing actual footage from the 1880’s, brings to life the feeling of the Belle Époque.
An early attempt at a hoop-skirt.
Performers in silken handcuffs gyrate their corsetted midriffs, keeping aloft a pre-invented-in-1958 hula hoop. What an age we live in!
Follow the bouncing hot air balloon.
Kitten on the Keys sings bawdy tales of, well, just about everything. We had no idea the 1880s were so ribald.
Zooooommmmmm!
Some careless person left their steam-powered motorcycle running, filling the room with fumes of steam. I attempted to go for a joy ride, but there was no lady-like way to seat myself without showing my knickers.
Why, in my day, we didn’t worry about energy conservation!
If you ever are feeling out-of-time and wish to engage in a bit of mafficking, the Edwardian Ball is the perfect place to relax and be yourself.