Help Identifying Time Period Please?

[josey]

Yes, it does look a theatrical outfit. Was pantomime around at the time? Forgive a naive question - but what's the 'string' hanging between the hair & the skirt?

[Treetotal]

The left hand is raised as if to be holding something...so I wonder if it goes over the shoulder and raises the back of the skirt when lifted   
Carol

[josey]

Exactly what I thought Carol thus the pantomime reference! If only there was another photo of it in action 

[Ruskie]

The last few comments made me smile. Yesterday I composed a PM to Lois suggesting that this person may have been a cross-dresser noting the wig like hair, large masculine head, perhaps a hint of sideburns, proportionally large waist. I suggested that this person might look more at home wearing a collar and tie and how I wished I could see the hands .... however I decided not to send it in case it offended and s/he was a beloved ancient Aunt. 

Now I see I am not alone. 

[Trixie_au]

Haha, Oh I've loved the last few comments re cross-dressing and pantomime too, and knowing my grandfathers side of the family nothing would really surprise me... 

Re the dress: at first I was thinking this lady is most likely to be on the Dutch-Sth African (VOLSTEEDT) side of the family and this may have just been how they liked to dress up, but now I reckon you guys and gals are onto something. Plus the photo is taken in a London studio, and wasn't it all happening in London? I think if you were into pantomime and cross-dressing, London would definitely be the place to be for stage and theatre.

The idea that the ribbon over her shoulder would be for lifting the back of the dress is hilarious, I love it. 

And Ruskie, you should have sent that PM, I wouldn't have been offended one little bit. 

[Ruskie]

Yes, it does look a theatrical outfit. Was pantomime around at the time?

It seems that there was a lot of theatre. I found this for example:
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/dramaandtheatre/documents/pdf/lcp/playslicensedin1860.pdf
(note K, L & Q as a few which mention cross-dressing  )

[jim1]

http://www.historyextra.com/fannyandstella

jim

[Ruskie]

http://www.historyextra.com/fannyandstella

jim

Stella is pretty convincing ..... Fanny .... not quite so much. 

[Trixie_au]

Yes Stella would've had me fooled too, but I agree Fanny is a little bit more obvious!