CIVILIAN COSTUME Competition
Civilian Costume Events
The N-SSA is dedicated to preserving multiple facets of cultural history of the American Civil War, including the civilian clothing worn during the time.
Created to encourage historical research, this competition and the wearing and display of authentically reproduced garments, adds educational components for both the participants and general public alike.
The competition is open to anyone interested in civilian clothing worn during the years 1861-1865. With a 60 plus year history, the committee utilizes a scoring system aimed at awarding accuracy in research, construction, knowledge, and overall appearance.
In order to compete in competition, you need to be issued a competitor number, register according the established procedures and not have previously been barred from N-SSA activities.
150th National’s Costume Competition Winners
First Place Young Ladies Best Visual- Elizabeth Kobler took her first step into costume competition. Her dress is appropriate for a teen attending a formal dance. She chose a green plaid taffeta skirt, a green velvet bodice with a square neckline, pearl jewelry and a correct hairstyle for an 1860's young lady.
First Place Girls Best Visual- Elizabeth Weaver, also a first-time competitor, wore a blue cotton dress with floral print and bonnet to match. A white apron covered Elizabeth's dress to protect from soiling it at play or school.
First Place Infants Best Visual- Jonah Bowen, our youngest (3 mos. old) is sporting a Confederate uniform, a tiny model of his father. As a well-dressed soldier he wears cotton gray pants with yellow stripes, gingham blouse and gray kepi.
First Place Toddlers- Wesley Bowser is "breeched", which means he is no longer wears infant or toddler dresses, but rather black silk trousers and jacket, a white blouse that opens in the back buttoned to his pants, and high-top leather boots.
First Place Girls Semi-Formal- Scarlet Bowser is wearing a "walking dress" for a young girl. A pink cotton dress with a geometric pattern, velvet ribbon trim and a gauged skirt connected to a waistband, a bodice with cap sleeves and hook and eye closure. Required in regular competition, Scarlet has all of the appropriate underpinnings: chemise, drawers, cage and petticoat. Accessories are a white straw bonnet, white stockings and black leather slippers.
First Place Boys Best Visual- Henry T. Magno is a well-dressed young boy wearing a wool vest and trousers with a buttoned fly, a checked blouse with a narrow band collar, and calico buttons. A little room for growth was left for longer wear. He wore black cloth boots.
Second Place Boys Best Visual- Jackson T. McCuin sports a muslin tunic, green linen blend pants and a wool plaid vest. His footwear choice were black leather brogans. Jackson's unique hairstyle is a popular style for boys in the 1860's.
First Place Girls Informal and Potomic Region /John Elton Award. Amelia K. Magno won in her cotton dress is a fabric made with a roller print, it has a boat neckline, puff sleeves, a yoked bodice, a gauged gathered skirt and a black silk apron. Required for regular competition, Amelia has the appropriate undergarments: chemise, drawers, cage and petticoat. She is going to study with her friend and carries her schoolbooks along.
First Place Ladies Semi-Formal Intermediate - Kasey Jo Bowser. Her dress is a sheer cotton with a small windowpane checked design. The dress has a boat neck, puff pagoda sleeves, and a cape of the same fabric. Accessories are a grosgrain ribbon belt, brooch and lace cap.
Second Place Ladies Semi-Formal Regular and 2024 Delaney Award Teresa (Tee) McGuire. Her beautiful dress is a striped sheer cotton with a unique cross-over bodice, and a lace chemisette for modesty. The dress skirt is finished at the bottom with hem facing and braided hem protector. She wore a complete set of correct undergarments. Her accessories are a shawl, hair earrings, gloves, belt and a brown silk bonnet.
First Place Ladies Semi-Formal Regular and Elmer Venskoske Award - Anna Kuhn. A first time competitor, she made an excellent showing wearing a two-piece combination of gold silk skirt and bolero jacket, trimmed with an embroidered ribbon and fringe at the armscye. She wore a complete set of correct undergarments. Her accessories are red leather side-laced boots, shell hair comb, a tortoise shell brooch with matching earrings, and a straw bonnet.
Honorable Mention Ladies Semi-Formal Regular - Dulci Gouge. Also new to
N-SSA competition, she wore a lovely green silk walking dress, decorated with black bows, pagoda sleeves and glass buttons. The accessories are organdy undersleeves, and she made a purse which is an exact reproduction of one in the Victoria and Albert Museum. She wore a complete set of correct undergarments. Her earrings are replicas of a pair in the Steamship Arabia collection.
Susan Brisbine/Special Project Award - Marylou Wells' inspiration for the patriotic quilt is from a pattern published in Peterson's Ladies magazine, July 1861. The star field in the center numbers the states in the Union from 1861 to 1863. Further documentation is from an original quilt made by a Mary Rockhold Teter in 1861 and resides in the National Museum of American History.
Costume Commitee’s Schedule
Workshop/Sewing Circle Topic/Item
Spring 2025 - Collar/cuffs set
Fall 2025 - Undersleeves
Susan Brisbane/Special Project Items
Spring 2025 - Over Petticoat.
Fall 2025 - Collar/cuffs set
Spring 2026 - Undersleeves
Civilian Costume Committee Events are held in Memorial Park. In case of inclement weather, competition is held in the lower level of the Museum.
COMPETITION FEES:
Sewing Circle – no fees charged, all are welcomed to attend.
N-SSA member’s child: $3.00
N-SSA member, teen or adult family member: $5.00
Non-member adult participation: $10.00
Non-member children under 12 years of age: $5.00 (exception of Boy’s Civilian, which is under 15 years of age)
Costume Competition Forms
Getting Started in the N-SSA Costume Competition 2024
SPECIAL AWARDS
The Susan Brisbin Special Project award is presented at each nationals. The costume committee determines the single item for this competition. The item could be an underpinning, accessory, or specific article of clothing.
The item may be for a man, woman or child.
Items are judged on a point system.
Judging for the Special projects is held on Saturday of each nationals and you must register for this competition.
Examples of our Judging Forms
The Costume Committee has a new Facebook page: Civilian Costuming in the N-SSA. On this page you will find, informative articles, resources, photos and competition results, the link is below.