My new Garb/persona for the 2011 year. Ravenwood's Leather jerkin, pic

[JJames]

Greetings!

I had received my jerkin from Ravenswood leather, and although I if feel it is rather large, mostly in the collar and waist than I had expected, I feel comfortable w/ the oversized look. I have a Tudor cap that may be more period, however, I liked how the beret looked. I do not know how period this type of beret would be for a privateer (not sure privateers even wore such styles of hats), or at least a gentleman of the 16th century, but, it seemed to fit the look better. It was fun putting this together. I have yet to get a pouch and frog for the dagger. I am certainly thinking black under shirt as well, I did a rough look w/ a black shirt and it really gives it more of a dominate look vs white seen here. I have a pair of knee high boots; however, the concept of a privateer gave me more the idea of utilizing my older, but yet taller boots. I wasn't trying to gain H/A exactly, but, just wanted to be kind of close or at least somewhat in the ball park w/look. I believe my family is more geared toward a moderate pirates look and theme this year. Thoughts or comments are welcome... lol, you can look and question too  .

[amy]

Very handsome... I agree that the black shirt would make a cool look (but I like the tied cuffs on this in the picture) and I like the hose with the taller boots.   Makes a girl want to get shanghaied

[gem]

You look fantastic! And I like the white shirt! Add a black shirt and *all* you have on is black. I think for photographs, you'll like having some contrast in your garb.

(And if you're trying to be in the ballpark of H/A... well, *all* shirts were some shade of white. Sorry!)

[Rowan MacD]

  Wonderful outfit! 
  I agree with Gem, you should stick with that shirt unless you plan to go pirate    The white with tie cuffs is a good look.
I think you will be thankful for the extra room in the jerkin when the weather turns warm.

[Lady L]

I think you look great! I like the white shirt better than all black, too.

[isabelladangelo]

Stick with the white.  If you really feel the need to add black, black leather sleeves would certainly add to it (Slashed would be awesome).  But they didn't wear black shirts in the 16th century.   There is a very simple reason -put a red sock in with your white laundry and remember that all dyes were like that in the 16th century...

[JJames]

Thanks for your comments and your very helpful suggestions! This is a style and/or look that I think I have been wanting to obtain ever since I started my interest in faire 3 years ago. I can agree w/ keeping the shirt white and helping it offset the "all black" look. I wasnt even considering a different shirt however this one is rather larger! I mean, it is way too long and very wide. The width does not bother me so much, however, i have to roll it up to keep it from peering out from under the jerkin. Im certain my wife could pin it up or likely even hem (or shortin it -sorry dont know the sewing terms so well). I had custom orderd the jerkin to add soem over all length. They did what I kind of feared they would do and simply made the panels that skirt the bottom of the jerkin longer, from what I can tell, compared to their other works. None the less, I still lke it, it feel comfortable.

What type of lady would perhaps be with a person of this look? My wife's ensable is kind of up in the air a this point... thanks again!.

[DonaCatalina]

After it gets washed a few times, the shirt might not be so large. But the overall look is great as it is right now.

[JJames]

Thank you Lady DonaCatalina

[Delireus]

What type of lady would perhaps be with a person of this look?

A lucky lady!

My boyfriend just started getting his garb together, we're waiting for his tunic in the mail! He's so excited, this is his first garb set. But he was worried about matching me. I told him, it's really ok to not match. I've got a pirate garb thing going, but if he wanted to, he could be a mage or a lord and we'd be just fine. Certainly when couples match, it looks awesome, but don't let that stifle you or your wife's garb, you know? Ask her what she likes from certain outfits. What I did with him was I went through a lot of the faire photos people posted on this site and he picked out little things he liked from each. Sure, he'll be carrying a sword and a staff at faire in a few weeks, but he's so excited, he couldn't pick just 1!

However, maybe look at ravenswood leathers for stuff for your wife as well. But like I said, I bet she could have any persona and look just fine next to you

[isabelladangelo]

What type of lady would perhaps be with a person of this look? My wife's ensable is kind of up in the air a this point... thanks again!.

Her outfit would probably be something like this:
http://www.elizabethan-portraits.com/UnknownLady11.jpg

The lady to the far right is wearing what is known as Flemish garb.  There is a TON of research out there on that style.  You might also want to look at http://www.festiveattyre.com/research/wkclass/portfolio.html for some other working and middle class garb. 

[JJames]

Thank you Lady Delireus  . I am excited to break in the new garb this year. We had looked at some of the bodices from Ravenswood, they do have some really cool stuff, but, we may just work with what we have now. My wife has a chemis, couple dresses and bodice. We may take hint a lil pirate theme in with it or something!

Lady isabelladangelo, thank you for the links. I will have to send these to the wife to see if any of those ensembles sparks her interests. Even if she just lkes the look of something or a certain way of wearing it it would prove very helpful!

Working a few more extras and I should have a good start. Thanks again everyone!