What is an iconic era to base a novel in?

Question

I want it to be really distinctive, like the clothes, roles of men/women, the music, the way people act, etc;
What's your own favourite era and some info on it if possible?
Thanks

Answer 1

i love the georgian era [with the big pouffy hair like marie antoinette's!] but i think if you're looking for something distinctive go with the period just before world war I or during WWII.

Answer 2

I looooove 1800s/Victorian. Especially the 1880s, there's VERY distinctive clothes, roles, music, morals, etiquette, etc. Plus tons of cultural references you can make -- Gilbert and Sullivan, Jack the Ripper, Oscar Wilde...



Clothes for wealthy women would be hopelessly elabourate, rich-coloured, layered dresses with bustles, ribbons, lace, 'curtain' effects, and firm, low necklines. For upper-class men there would be waistcoats, tailcoats, ruffles, black, white, grey, browns and navy. Oh, and SPATS! (Yeah, I'm into costuming.) For lower-class costumes, look at any Dickens book's illustrations.



The music was getting more adventurous and less deadly serious in the Victorian era -- there were music halls with silly or bawdy songs, and concerts of famous composers of the time, as well as operas and smaller, less-serious operettas.



Manners and appearances were so absurdly important that codes were invented within that system -- for example, google 'fan code', the code of messages a lady could convey by moving her fan in different ways.

Answer 3

Ancient Greece. Or Troy. They era is so wonderful with it's togas and food. And the god supposedly walked among the mortals.

Also,Transylvania in the 1500s. It's rich in folklore and really just wonderful.

Answer 4

I love the Depression era... and the WWII era as well. I love to read about them.

Answer 5

Victorian Era. =]

Answer 6

1930s or 1940s

You really can't go wrong as long as you do your research.