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The Georgian period -

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.

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An exhaustive amount of work -

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.

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The rise of the middle class -

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. 

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Finding a venue could be difficult -

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.

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Against the law -

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. 

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All-year nightclubs -

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.

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It took a committee to plan a ball -

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.

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It took a committee to plan a ball -

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.

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Invitations had their own etiquette -

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.

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Invitations had their own etiquette -

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.

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Costume balls were a grand affair -

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.

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Costume balls were a grand affair -

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.

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Queen Victoria loved a fancy dress ball -

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.

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Dress codes for women -

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.

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Dress codes for women -

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.

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Social scrutiny -

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.

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Dress codes for men -

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.

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Men were expected to be on their best behavior -

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.

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Men were expected to be on their best behavior -

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.

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A special holiday decoration -

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.

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The kissing ball -

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.

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Flirting -

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.

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Flirting -

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.

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Dance cards -

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.

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Dance cards -

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.

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What kind of dancing did the Victorians like? -

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.

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A change in dance styles -

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

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