Dress and hat help

[juliap]

Sorry for so many questions.  I have almost got things figured out for me and my husband.  Here is what I am going to do to my dress. 



I decided to leave the ruffle at the top.  I thought it was pretty and I saw some dresses for sale that had ruffles there that claimed they where renaissance they also had the same sleeves.  I figured I could get by with it even though it is not HA.  When I put the trim around the neckline I am going to run it more square.  I am going to put the beaded trim around the sleeves also and lay the ruffle down at the top around the cuffs.  I am going to run the gold trim down the sides of the overskirt too. I found these add on sleeves on Ebay to go under the sleeves.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290493314637&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I will try them if they come in time and see if I like them.  If I don't I think I will just go with the sleeves like they are.

My question is what kind of hat can I put with this dress? 

I need one that is actually shadey if that is possible.  I get sunburned real easily.  I have a lot of hats in my closet that are wide brimmed sunhats.  I have a flat capped straw sunhat that I can add stuff to but I don't know if that would go with this type dress.  I will be wearing jewelry and it seems kind of dressed down to pair a straw hat with this dress.  What kind of hat would fit it?  Thanks so much.     

[operafantomet]

The widest brim I've seen in at least Italian fashion are these
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/bologne/abbatenew2bologna.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/details/hats/tizian1530hat.jpg

But that is if you're going for historical accuracy. If you want a more general historical look, you can use any hat you like. If going for a noble or upper burgeroise, avoid straw hats and similar - or at least dress them with fabric and accessories. Feathers and a trim around the pull is always a good move, and a large medallion is cool. Whatever the size of the brim, you can always attach it to the front of the head (like the examples above) by means of a hair pin or similar, so it protect your face.

I would still suggest you roll the current sleeves (sans lace cuffs) up to shoulder rolls. It will immediately give your bodice a renaissance look. Especially now that you've found lower sleeves. Also, if you want to manipulate the current lines, try to make the white front more V shaped by placing the lower part of the trim a bit in and the upper part a bit out.

As for jewelry, what about tying a medallion of some sort to a pearl or coral necklace, like this lady has done?
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/details/jewelry/anguissola1559minerva3.jpg

Hope that helped!

[juliap]

I found some photos of I think the right time period.  It is really hard to look this stuff up and figure it out.  I found this photo that made me think to just put the sleeves under the existing sleeves.  It is different looking but I thought kind of similar idea. I just like the flowing bell sleeves I think they are pretty.  I will try it rolled up though when I get the sleeves.  They can roll up with out cutting the lace off and it makes them nice and puffy. 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xXA1wVw9M_c/SPv-IKgHFlI/AAAAAAAAABQ/vDAr848BfVs/s1600-h/francesco-hayez-the-kiss.jpg

I am not sure of the class of the dress when I get through so I am unsure about a straw hat or not.  The only reason I am leaning towards a straw hat is because I have a nice one I can easily decorate.  I found some photos of straw hats on ladys that I think have a similiar class dress.  I mean they look dressed up I think and one has on a little bit of jewelry.  I guess I would go for maybe just middle class if there is such a thing back then. The reason is because my husbands outfit is just going to be like a peasant class I think.  I cannot think of a way to dress him up more without breaking my budget and having to sew a ton. 
  Here are some photos of ladys with straw hats from that time period I think.
http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/r/rubens/42portra/09fourme.html
http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/j/jordaens/3/daughter.html
http://www.lib-art.com/artgallery/16674-gardener-in-straw-hat-jean-frederic-schall.html   
This one is not straw but it is a nice wide brimmed hat that looks nice.  I have on almost the same shape in brown that I could decorate. 
http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/Peter-Paul-Rubens/The-Straw-Hat-C.-1625.html

If I use a straw hat and decorate it with ostrich feathers and a medallion.  do you think it will look okay?  I could even spray it a color or put fabric over the whole thing.  What is the pull of the hat? I am unsure where you are saying to put the trim.  I am really excited about making this and going and I really appreciate your help. 

[operafantomet]

I found some photos of I think the right time period.  It is really hard to look this stuff up and figure it out.  I found this photo that made me think to just put the sleeves under the existing sleeves.  It is different looking but I thought kind of similar idea. I just like the flowing bell sleeves I think they are pretty.  I will try it rolled up though when I get the sleeves.  They can roll up with out cutting the lace off and it makes them nice and puffy.  

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xXA1wVw9M_c/SPv-IKgHFlI/AAAAAAAAABQ/vDAr848BfVs/s1600-h/francesco-hayez-the-kiss.jpg

I am not sure of the class of the dress when I get through so I am unsure about a straw hat or not.  The only reason I am leaning towards a straw hat is because I have a nice one I can easily decorate.  I found some photos of straw hats on ladys that I think have a similiar class dress.  I mean they look dressed up I think and one has on a little bit of jewelry.  I guess I would go for maybe just middle class if there is such a thing back then. The reason is because my husbands outfit is just going to be like a peasant class I think.  I cannot think of a way to dress him up more without breaking my budget and having to sew a ton.  
 Here are some photos of ladys with straw hats from that time period I think.
http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/r/rubens/42portra/09fourme.html
http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/j/jordaens/3/daughter.html
http://www.lib-art.com/artgallery/16674-gardener-in-straw-hat-jean-frederic-schall.html  
This one is not straw but it is a nice wide brimmed hat that looks nice.  I have on almost the same shape in brown that I could decorate.  
http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/Peter-Paul-Rubens/The-Straw-Hat-C.-1625.html

Right now you're dealing with many different centuries. The hats are Dutch Baroque, and the first painting is a 19th century idea of an Italian Renaissance dress. Do you want a generic historical look in your dress, or something more specific?

I don't want to push you into either, but I think it would be easier to give you helpful advices if I/we knew what you would like to do with you dress. If you're going for a generic historical look, you can use whatever as long as you decorate it to make it look historical. Still, make your outfit complete, with eventual underdress/skirt, socks, shoes, jewelry and something on the head.

If you're aiming for a more specific historical look, what region and time period would you like to recreate? It doesn't have to be historical accurate per se, but it's easier to give specific advices knowing what you WANT.

[juliap]

I have never been to the faire and I just want to fit in.  I am very shy and nervous about dressing up and I just did not want to wear something that was out of place.  I did not want someone saying hey that is not renaissance thats colonial or that hat does not go with that dress and be embarrased.  I am trying to just make it look renaissance enough as cheaply as possible so it will fit in.  Maybe I should have gone without dressing up first to see what it is like.  I just really like the idea of stepping into the past fully dressed.  I know its not quite the past but it is as close as I will ever come.   

[Adriana Rose]

Try going in your dress and then shopping around for the things that you like, see what others are wearing. Have you looked in the photograpy section of the fourms? There is a bunch of ideas to be had.

Good Luck and have fun ,oh and welcome to the addiction once you start looking for garb you can never stop.

[Becky10]

There seems to be a general mosh pot of centuries at faire so dont worry too much about anyone calling you out on not being completely H/A, just do what makes you happiest and like Adriana Rose said look around to see what you like and maybe make some purchases! (Oooooh faire shopping!) I see it as a better trade off to go cheapy on the test run so you can spend more on permanent garb.

Faire is filled with uber lovely people who will make you feel welcomed in no time. The only ones who would comment are usually people in street clothes (so who are they to talk, right?). I am a very shy person as well so I know what youre feeling, just take a breath, wear what youre comfortable in and enjoy! 

[Anna Iram]

My very first few visits to faire were not even as ren as your gown. Just thrift shop finds I figured had the right enough feel. If anyone thought my look was wrong I didn't notice or hear. I was too busy being enchanted by the whole faire experience. That's my advice to you.

It IS hard to figure out what goes with what and then keep in in budget. Warning: Ren faires can become a very expensive garb habit!

I think the trim is a nice addition on your dress and the lace is very pretty. Not maybe true Renaissance (for most faires that means Tudor/Henry VIII's time or Elizabethan, or possible Medieval) but I think it will work for your first visit nicely. Besides, many people do wear a blend of styles. I wore a largish leather brimmed hat with my first elisabethanish gown exactly because I wanted shade and I thought It looked nice. Not accurate at all, but it worked for the time. It's all about what makes you happy. Not to say there isn't wonderful advice here. Everyone just wants to help, so don't feel like you are being told it's right or wrong. One day you may decide to remake that gown somewhat differently or perhaps invest in something at faire or sew another gown. You'll never find more wonderful advice so freely given as here.

As for the hat. I suggest buying a parasol at some point. You can find one for pretty cheap from the Asian shops online. I'll hunt for a link. It's what I use now as my hat is tiny ( more Elizabethanish) and no good for shade at all. You can certainly wear your straw hat too,  and pin one side up with a fancy brooch or feathers,  but a parasol is just the right touch for a lady I think.


*edited* Here you go. Parasols:
I'd stay away from anything too obvioiusly Asian, but some of the motifs are pretty and the Thai parasols are very popular. Parasols are an addicition all their own.
http://www.lunabazaar.com/paper-parasols.aspx


*haha...Elizabethanish...my  silly word for the day.*

[juliap]

Thanks everyone I feel a lot more comfortable about it now.  I think I will just put the trim on and go like it is.  I also appreciate the advice on how to make it look appropiate for the time period.  When the time comes and I am ready to attempt it I will defintly be using this thread as a reference for what to do.  I might even attempt to sew a new dress when I have the time.  All the links that everyone has given me will be very helpful.   

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

If this were a redo project I was doing for someone, I would ...


Remove the sleeves from the Bodice part, using the fabric to make shoulder treatments of some kind to finish Bodice. Then make a Chemise with a  high necked collar with ruff.

Use a ribbon trim no wider than an inch to compliment the fabric colors.

Remove the lace ruffling about the neck.

Good luck! This has a lot of potential to be something really great!!

[Anna Iram]

Certainly not to take away from anyone else's ideas, but just to thrown in my *other* 2 cents, (I'm a Chatty Cathy today) my first thoughts were that I'd find some gorgeous complementary lush fabric, remove the ruffle and add big Tudor sleeves.  Simply because I love the look and they are so fun to wear.

[gem]

Julia, I stumbled across this great gown photo, and it reminded me of your dress, so I'm posting it here for inspiration!



It's kind of a mishmash of historical eras and regions, but it's PRETTY! Love the criss-cross gold lacing on the sleeves, especially!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

gem!

That dress looks like the one I saw on eBay not long ago.

[LadyFae]

I've seen that dress on EBay and also on Etsy I think- I fall in love with it every time! Lol!

[juliap]

I have decided to redo the sleeves.  I looked up colonial today and saw every dress had those same sleeves.  I also found a lot of pictures for the renaissance time period and have decided the sleeves are just wrong.  I have three weeks so hopefully I can get it done in time.  Here are the options I am choosing from.  For those of you that know how to sew can you help me decide which would be the easiest to do.  Ok so the first one is the beautiful one that Gem posted.  I am going to repost the photo so I can see all the dresses together.



I love the sleeves on this dress I am just unsure how to do it.  What I also like is that I can get by without a chemise underneath.  I could just totally remove the sleeves that are on the dress and replace with those sleeves in some pretty matching fabric.  
 Here is the next one I am not sure were I got this photo.  



On this one I had the thought I could use the ruffle at the end of my current dress to make the poof in the middle.  Then I could make the little bottom part of the sleeve and add a puff at the top of my current sleeve in a matching fabric.  If that makes sense.
Here is another dress.  



Now this one I thought I could take the current sleeve of my dress and split strips in the top, hem them, and pouf it out a little.  This one I would need a chemise or some sort of undersleeve.  I bought some undersleeves on ebay so it might be easy but I do not know if they will arrive in time.  I also don't know if they look accurate enough.
Another one.  



This one also has the undersleeve problem.  This is what I think was mentioned as tudor sleeves.  I like the look just don't know about how hard or about the undersleeve situation.

 If you could choose one you think looks the most accurate and is the easiest to do that would be great.  I will probably go with whatever is chosen.  I can not seem to decide what to do there is so much to choose from and the whole historical aspect makes it even harder to choose.  If you could point me in the direction of patterns also would be awesome.  I sort of know how to sew so hopefully I can make this.  I have sewn belly dance costumes and some other things throught the years.