You might assume that people in the Victorian age were obedient, well-mannered, and a bit stiff because that’s the way they’re portrayed in books, television, and movies. But the truth is that people in the 1800s were not all prudish or humorless. In fact, some of them were way ahead of their times and knew had to have fun in ways that would probably make your eyes pop out. To prove that, here’s a collection of silly vintage photos that are sort of weird but also pretty awesome. So, if you ever thought the people from the Victorian era were unable to shock you, you’ll change your tune when you look at the photos.But take a closer look, specifically their faces. Notice anything different? Well then how about what they’re wearing? Give up? Okay, here it is. The men are dressed as women and the women are dressed as men.
They had to get creative and do something that gave their photos some pizazz. So, take a look at these two and you’ll notice that the boy and girl who are all smiles have switched hats for this photo.
So, these three decided to really show off their acrobatic skills by standing on a fence. One of them looks like Mary Poppins with her umbrella and the guy on the other end is doing a balancing act on one foot.
But it turns out that people had a thing for building Snowmen. Well, in this case, it was more like an elegantly dressed snowwoman and they didn’t even mind doing so while wearing an uncomfortable corset.
Of course, it would be over a century before MJ would release his popular video. Was he inspired by the oh so popular cakewalk dance of Victorian times, which was originally started by African-American slaves?
They’re actually students from Yale, and they’re dressed as women, but they’re definitely men. The photo was taken in 1883, and they were undoubtedly in a play performing as the opposite gender.
Just look at this lovely group of women who took posing awkwardly to a new level. They’re basically piled on top of each other. It might look uncomfortable but this family obviously loved being close to each other.
In case the unusually brilliant smile wasn’t enough to win you over then perhaps the silly pointy hat would. Then again, this might be a Victorian age version of a birthday hat, and this man was celebrating a milestone.
But as this lady proved in this photo, Victorian women might have gotten overheated and had trouble breathing in those constricting clothes, but this gal could still jump rope like a total champ.
We’re not sure what the story is behind this pic, but if she was some sort of waitress serving tea, then she put a whole new spin on the saying fresh off the rack. It’s people like her that are changing the stereotype of this era.
But this lady obviously didn’t mind putting on this ridiculously funny face and holding it there until the flash went off. And obviously, having the photographer asked her to say cheese would have been pointless.
This lady is dressed up to look all prim and proper, but inside that composed exterior is obviously a clown just waiting to burst out. So, when the photographer asked her to give her best face, this is what she did.
Looking straight at the camera is one way to do it. But she was obviously eager to try something different. She wanted to stand out, and it didn’t bother her if people thought she wasn’t lady-like with her finger probing her nose.
Vicky became known for saying the line “We are not amused,” even though she denied those words coming out of her mouth. But it’s kind of cool seeing a royal cracking a smile and showing some teeth for a change.
This lady was certainly laughing intensely because she was savoring 18th-century life and everything it had to offer. Then again, the photographer might have told her a naughty joke to give her the giggles.
They try to keep it serious in the first photo, but the wife appears to be having a giggle attack. But she composes herself a little bit in the third photo only to completely fall apart and her husband soon follows.
Let’s face it. Posing for a photo can be oh so awkward! But instead of looking like a model, you can scrunch up your face and get a laugh out of everyone like this gentleman apparently did back in the day.
Even in the 18th century, children like this little boy made silly faces for the cameraman instead of smiling. This little guy also had some breakfast stuck to the sides of his lips. Hopefully, mom didn’t spend too much for this pic.
But this photo was shot in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1897 and it’s titled “Say That Again And I’ll Dip You In.” But let’s focus on the positive and assume the couple is just playfully messing around on the shore.
This photo was taken in 1899, and it has a Russian Tsar named Nicholas II who is taking time off from being serious and royal in order to be silly with his loved ones. This just proves that underneath it all, he was a normal man.
