Recollections

 

Featured Victorian Lady

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Holly Cowles

The Villages Victorian Tea Hats

The Villages, Florida

 

We would like to introduce Holly Cowles and the “The Villages Victorian Tea Hats”,  a group she started in 2009 in The Villages, Florida.  Originally titled “The Villages Victorian Tea Hat Society”, she changed the name in 2011 to better distinguish it from the Red Hat Society.  Just for fun, each of the women in the group takes a royal title.  Holly became Queen Victoria, since she founded the group, and others became princesses, duchesses, ladies-in-waiting, etc.

A fan of Turner Classic Movies, and especially the fabulous gowns depicted in them, Holly started dressing in period attire about three years ago.  Soon she had friends interested in the group, and with help from Holly, each other, and of course Recollections, most of them dress in period attire.  Holly herself provides help designing and making the perfect hats to go with their outfits.  Today the group boasts eighteen members, and any given event usually sees twelve to fifteen of them in attendance.  A friendly and outgoing group, they make quite an impression as they make various appearances outside and around The Villages.

Some recent events where The Villages Victorian Tea Hats have participated include Victorian Day in Dunnellon, Florida where Holly reports, “They treated us like royalty.” Of course, the trip included some shopping, and everyone’s favorite was Aunt Bobby’s Antiques & Collectables. Dunnellon always celebrated their Victorian Day at the end of November, so it seemed odd to be singing Christmas carols when it was not yet Christmas time. The Victorian Tea Hats sang Christmas carols as they strolled along and just about “everyone had to ask about our costumes” Holly said, “and then they would join in singing the carols.” They have also participated in The Villages Christmas parade in Lady Lake, Florida, where they all dressed in Victorian attire and decorated their golf carts in Victorian style. Not limited to just dressing up, the Victorian Tea Hats also support charities in and around The Villages Florida.

Many of us can empathize with Holly’s recounting of her efforts to drive anything – cart or car – while dressed in a hoop, crinoline, petticoats and a long dress. She said that once when she slid into her car the passengers in both front and back seats got a good laugh when they saw her dress fly over her head. On another occasion, she managed to suddenly cover her passenger with her dress. As she says – laughter is always the best medicine of all!
               

When planning an outing, Holly is always trying to set the tone of Victorian England. Her special hope is to bring hats back into fashion – Holly has been designing hats and costumes since 2002. She encourages everyone to look pretty, enjoy themselves, and have fun as they meet new people. Once, the group went to Mt Dora, Florida especially to tour the Heron Cay Bed & Breakfast Inn. While there they rode around town in a horse-drawn carriage. Holly herself dressed like the queen wearing pearls and a hat made out of a re-purposed lamp shade. Whenever they passed someone, all waved like the queen as they smiled and greeted the public. Some passers-by even bowed and waved in return!

 

 

 

Holly would encourage others to form groups similar to hers, but right now Holly says, “We are one of a kind“. If you are interested in forming a similar group, Holly advises not to make it too serious. She says, “Have fun with it. Start with friends, and then friends of friends. It is always easier to start something when you have friends to help. Do not charge dues unless you are going to give them to charity.” The Victorian Tea Hats have elected to support several local charities. When speaking in public, Holly advises to always do research first to ensure that you know the historical facts.

 

 

 

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