Random Most Unbelievable Excesses By Rich People During Gilded Age (12 items)

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  (#9) Tiaras Required: Jewels Of The Gilded Age

  If Gilded Age wives were in a furor over their husband's nefarious activities in upscale brothels, they had their husband's money to comfort them. And, after all, no self-respecting Robber Baron would want his woman going about looking shabby.

  To that end, Gilded Age ladies literally dripped in jewels and other finery. Famous jewelers of the period, including Marcus & Co. and Tiffany & Co., designed and provided a myriad of gleaming, glistening works of art using rare materials, ranging from ebony to diamonds, sapphires, pearls, emeralds, aquamarines, enamels, and – of course – much silver and gold.

  With these precious metals and stones, what could not be fashioned? Tiaras, pendants, elaborate necklaces, watches, dresser sets, earrings and bracelets, and more. Plenty to keep a lonely wife warm at night!
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  (#8) Even The Prostitution Was Excessive

  Not all Gilded Age activities were put on display and written about in the newspapers. Certainly not. What better way to express one's manly prowess than in the bedroom? Nineteenth-century wives may not have approved but, since women were still considered property of their men, there wasn't much they could say or do about it. More than that, prostitution was effectively legal at the time.

  There were quite a few brothels to pick from in the large, northern cities, but the créme de la créme working gals were found in New York City's Tenderloin District. One street in particular was remarkable for quality and variety: 39th Street, west of Seventh Avenue. It was known familiarly as "Soubrette Row" (soubrette is the French term for a saucy, flirtatious girl). This region of the Tenderloin was located conveniently around the corner from the Metropolitan Opera House. Apparently, all sorts of indecencies were on offer at the fancier brothels, some practices considered so scandalous that the girls who engaged in them were shunned by their sisters practicing more traditional sexual activities. But, after all, it was the Gilded Age, and money talked. For the right price, a man could have his every fantasy fulfilled.
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  (#10) Sheets Were Changed Twice A Day And Outfits At Least Thrice

  Yet another form of excess among the very rich during the Gilded Age had to do with the showing off of as many elaborate outfits as possible, as well as the presence of as many servants – performing quite specific tasks – as possible. For example, a Gilded Age household required the family to change their clothing up to several times or more per day. Morning suits and dresses were essential until just before lunch. Then, something, perhaps lighter, for the afternoon; then, change again into something more formal for supper; then, yet again, for any evening social activities at home or beyond. Should one also have plans for hunting, hawking, or riding during the day, additional outfits would be required. After all, one must keep up appearances, no?

  Sometimes family members or guests would need to nap or rest during different times of the day. To that end, bed sheets would need changing at least twice per day. The poor, overworked staff labored without electric washing machines and dryers.
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  (#4) Dinner Parties Involved Dogs In $15k Collars And Lakes Inside Restaurants

  Throughout much of the 19th century, the go-to restaurant for showing off was definitely Delmonico's in New York City. Endless lavish parties and dinners were held on the premises, with courses going from late afternoon into the wee hours of the following morning. One of the grandest shows put on at Delmonico's involved the construction of an indoor, landscaped garden, complete with a $10,000 lake in the middle. Swans were brought to swim and glide through the lake as guests enjoyed their rich meal. At a different (but equally opulent) dinner party thrown by a Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish, the guest of honor was Mrs. Fish's dog, adorned in a $15,000 collar for the occasion. 
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  (#1) Rich Women's Demand For Snowy Egret Feathers Caused Near Extinction For The Bird

  The filthy rich of the Gilded Age just did not care. Not about anyone. Except themselves. Certainly they would not let the extinction of one of the world's most beautiful animals get in the way of their fashion sense and flair. During the late 19th century, fashionable women became enchanted with the luminous, wispy, gorgeous feathers of the snowy egret. Not just any feathers, mind you, but the ones that grew when the delicate birds were in breeding season, when they were preparing to give birth to their young. In many cases, egret hunters would kill and skin the mature birds right in front of their recently hatched young, leaving the babies to fend for themselves.

  No matter. The women needed those feathers for their hats, dresses, and fans. Even for their home decor. The demand grew greater and greater until the snowy egret was endangered and nearing extinction status. To the credit of at least two society women, the species was saved at the last minute. An enormous campaign to protect the Snowy Egret and other birds killed for their feathers resulted in the Migratory Bird Act of 1913.
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  (#11) Extreme Dining, Entirely On Horseback

  Most Gilded Age meals were elaborate affairs and almost always held indoors. However, there were certain notable exceptions. Naturally, the more outlandish, elaborate, and expensive, the better. In some cases, the dining would take place on horseback. Imagine polishing off those endless, rich courses, all the while steadying your mount and juggling china, crystal, and silver! Some guests reported the experience as among the worst sort of tortures. On one occasion, millionaire C.K.G. Billing hosted a horseback dinner at a swanky New York restaurant. Even the horses were treated like millionaires, as they were provided with their own individual bags of oats. All of this came at an enormous cost. Billing's bill came to $50,000, an amount unimaginable to most people in the world. For Billing? He was just showing off!

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