Costumes:

"Then up rose Mrs. Cratchit, Cratchit’s wife, dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons, which are cheap and make a goodly show for sixpence; and she laid the cloth, assisted by Belinda Cratchit, second of her daughters, also brave in ribbons; while Master Peter Cratchit plunged a fork into the saucepan of potatoes, and getting the corners of his monstrous shirt collar (Bob’s private property, conferred upon his son and heir in honour of the day) into his mouth, rejoiced to find himself so gallantly attired, and yearned to show his linen in the fashionable Parks." -- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Men: Gentlemen should provide themselves with dark pants, a white button up shirt, and some kind of black or brown shoes or boots. If you don't have boots, try to wear some kind of smooth-soled dress shoes. Tennis shoes will not work because they are both out of period and have too much tread to be able to dance well. Since the historic time period of Colorado's bid for statehood was from 1860 to 1876, you may dress up as a Victorian gentleman, a frontiersman, mountain men, westerners, cowboy, or such garb.

Women: All young ladies will need to provide themselves with a Victorian ball gown appropriate to the historic era of 1860-1876 Colorado statehood. This can be done by altering something you already have; it can be borrowed, rented or purchased inexpensively from a thrift store.
Young ladies should research what the dresses looked like from the library, the internet, etc. You might compare descriptions of dances/dresses from Charles Dickens (Victorian England) with Laura Ingalls Wilder (who was born just after the Civil War and lived near Colorado territory shortly before statehood). Your study of costumes could easily be included in a special unit study on the bid for Colorado statehood a few weeks before the ball.
For seamstresses, Butterick/McCall's/Simplicity have several period patterns available. Please keep in mind that all dresses should be modest and not overly emphasize one's figure, which (despite the impression some movies give) is in accordance with historical accuracy.

Saunders Costumes: Saunders at 719-651-2731 will rent you a costume for $40 (a great price which includes multiple clothing items and free alterations - see the pictures below!) You can contact them ahead of time to find out what sort of costumes are available, or just wait till the day of the ball when you will want to arrive at 8 for best choice of gown. They drive a trailer up from Colorado Springs, full of hundreds of Victorian ball gowns for ladies, and period dress wear and Civil War uniforms for gentlemen. (If you were in the Civil War in 1865, your uniform would likely still be your dress wear in 1876!) The ladies' costume includes a ball gown, hoops, petticoats, gloves, and hair pieces. Alterations are done during the dance practice in the morning so they are ready to pick up at the end of the practice time. You need to return your costume after the ball (like Cinderella!), so make sure to bring street clothes. Your rental is a private business arrangement with Saunders and, as such, is separate from the ball. Ball organizers are not responsible for anything relating to Saunders Costume.

Other Resources - find historically accurate costumes and information on historical clothing and how to wear it at the following websites:

  • Blockade Runner 40 years of providing "wall to wall American Civil War" items for reenactors and history buffs. Take a look at the 1800s how-to videos.
  • River Junction A 50-year-old 19th-century dry goods store with an emphasis on the Old West. This company designs and produces most of their own products based on their own research.
  • Stitchin By the River stitchery and doll designs with Bible and Americana themes. They have a blog site and an Etsy pattern shop.