Free Victorian Costume Printables: Ephemera for Junk Journals & Halloween
A Look Inside This Post:
Free Victorian Costume printables featuring illustrations from an 1880s fancy dress catalog
Includes two collage sheets: one with 2.5” x 4.25” journal cards and one with 2” x 3” journal cards
Perfect for junk journaling, scrapbooking, and mixed media projects
Great for Halloween crafts with their theatrical and whimsical costume designs
Authentic Victorian ephemera sourced from a rare 19th-century catalog, curated and formatted for easy printing
A Glimpse Into Victorian Fancy Dress
During the late 19th century, “fancy dress balls” were an essential part of Victorian social life. Guests would arrive in elaborate costumes inspired by historical figures, mythical characters, animals, or symbolic themes. These weren’t simple Halloween costumes. They were intricately designed outfits meant to impress and delight.
The illustrations on these printable sheets come from an 1880s fancy dress catalog, a book filled with creative costume ideas that Victorian partygoers could order for special occasions. From flowing gowns to fanciful character outfits, these costumes captured the era’s love of theatricality, elegance, and imagination.
What’s Included in the Free Printable Sheets
This free download features two printable collage sheets of authentic Victorian costumes:
Sheet One (2.5” x 4.25” Journal Cards) – Larger costume illustrations, perfect for journal spreads or focal points in collages.
Sheet Two (2” x 3” Journal Cards) – Smaller cards suited for layering, tuck spots, and embellishments.
Each card has been cleaned and formatted for easy printing while keeping the authentic antique style intact.
2.5” x 4.25” Journal Cards
Creative Ways to Use Victorian Costume Ephemera
These whimsical costume illustrations are versatile and can fit into many types of creative projects:
Junk Journaling – Add vintage elegance to spreads, flips, and layered collages.
Halloween Projects – Their theatrical costumes make them a great fit for October pages.
Scrapbooking – Use as accents in layouts for costume parties or historical themes.
Mixed Media Art – Layer with lace, fabric, or stamps for a textured vintage look.
Themed Invitations & Tags – Perfect for Victorian-inspired events or Halloween gatherings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do these costume illustrations come from?
They’re sourced from a fancy dress catalog from the late 1880s, now in the public domain.
What sizes are included?
You’ll get two collage sheets — one with 2.5” x 4.25” journal cards and another with 2” x 3” journal cards.
Can I use them in Halloween crafts?
Definitely! While originally designed for Victorian parties, their whimsical and theatrical look fits perfectly into Halloween journals and décor.
Can I sell the crafts I make with these?
Yes — you can sell your handmade creations. Just please don’t resell or redistribute the digital files themselves, or printouts of them “as-is.”
More Free Printables You Might Like
Cats in Costume – Whimsical vintage photos of cats dressed up in human clothes.
Magic Props – Ephemera sheets of illusions and tricks from a Victorian catalog.
Spirit Photos – Eerie 19th-century ghostly photographs for Halloween spreads.
Final Thoughts
These free Victorian Costume printables bring a touch of elegance and whimsy to your creative projects. Whether you’re making a Halloween junk journal, designing a vintage-themed scrapbook page, or adding character to your mixed media art, these illustrations are the perfect way to capture the charm of Victorian fancy dress culture.
Download them today and add a dash of theatrical flair to your next project!
2” x 3” Journal Cards
More Background on Victorian Fancy Dress Costumes
"Fancy dresses" in the Victorian era were extravagant costumes people wore to parties and events. These weren't just any costumes; they were all about being creative and dressing up according to a specific theme. Imagine stepping into the past, becoming a famous character from a book, or transforming into a mythical creature.
These costumes were incredibly detailed and well-crafted. The materials used were often really fancy, like silk, velvet, and lace. They were often adorned with ribbons, embroidery, and other decorations. So, they were like pieces of art that you could wear.
Accessories were a big deal too. Masks, wigs, gloves, and jewelry were carefully chosen to match the costume and make it even more exciting. Masks, in particular, were popular because they added an element of mystery to the outfit.
Some folks made their own costumes, but there were also professional costume makers who were really good at creating these amazing outfits. If you had the money, you could get them to design a costume that was historically accurate and breathtaking.
Fancy dress parties weren't just about dressing up; they were also a way for people to escape their normal lives and have fun. They allowed for creativity and role-playing, and they were a big part of the social scene back then. These events were often talked about in society news and shown in drawings and photos.
Fancy dress parties even had an impact on everyday fashion. Some of the costume elements and designs ended up influencing what people wore on a regular basis.
As time went on, fancy dress parties became less popular, but they left a legacy. Today, we still enjoy dressing up in costumes for events like Halloween, costume parties, and cosplay. So, the spirit of creativity and self-expression from the Victorian era lives on in our modern celebrations.
You may also enjoy these free collage sheets.
Terms of use:
Free to use for personal or commercial projects. You may print the collage sheets as many times as you wish for your personal crafts or in your projects to sell, including: art journals, scrapbooks, junk journals, collage art, etc. You may not redistribute or sell the collage sheets “as is" in either print or digital form.
If you wish to share the files on your own website, please do not make the files available for download directly from your site. Instead, include an image with a link back to this site.
To the best of my knowledge, these are all royalty free images that are in the Public Domain in the US. However, you should always do your own research if you plan to use them commercially.
