Just need some suggestions

[Mairte]

I was looking at the dress/underdress I wore last year to faire and might use it again. What I would like is some ideas on how to maybe make it look a little different, less plain? Its just a green irish overdress with white dress under it. I am getting another pair of mary janes to wear with it this year because the old ones are kind of worn now.
Also. I had my hair down before but would like some ideas of putting up hair so that it STAYS up? Mine always comes undone.
I had hoped to buy another outfit this year but have doubts now if it is going to happen to want to work with what I DO have.

[Dinobabe]

Trim, Trim, Trim!  Easiest way!  Accessories are an easy way to change the look as well.  Look thru photos for ideas, always works for me.  I love stealing form other people!

[Anna Iram]

How long is your hair, Mairte? If long enough, perhaps you could braid it with some pretty colored ribbons. Wrap it round your head or in a bun or just let the braid fall over your shouder.

You could also make some garters for your sleeves. A simple fabric covered elastic with (again) ribbons attached or a pretty "scarf" of fabric flowing from it.

Irish gowns always seem so feminine and gay to me.

[Mairte]

Ooooo, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU Dinobabe and Anna!!! I wasnt sure what to do with it.
Where is a good place to find trim? And I LOVE the thought of ribbons....I was actually thinking of replacing the grommets on my dress and putting ribbon through them.
Anna, my hair right now is very long, down to the middle of my back. I have thought about cutting it to my shoulders though but havent completely decided on that. Maybe a trip to the braiders at the faire would be a good idea....(sigh. I cant braid to save my life. Just a little bit.)

[Mairte]

I found some striped ribbon....depending on the color, that might look very interesting on the bodice area of the dress...

[Rowan MacD]

  Flower or ivy head wreaths are easy to make and the dangling ribbons look great with long hair. if you put it up in back, those EZ Magic beaded stretchy butterfly comb holders work wonders, and I'm seeing a lot of them at faire.   I bought two at the flea market for $10.00.

Also lacing the dress with ribbon to match home made sleeve garters like Anna suggested.



 

[Dinobabe]

Hobby Lobby
JoAnns
Hancocks
Wal-Mart

Also look here to see if you want anything.
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=14767.0

Faire braiders are the best!  My hair goes to my butt and they drool when I come near.  I tell them to do whatever they want and they love it.

One other thing, think of some type of persona for yourself.  It doesn't mean you have to BE that person but it can really help in deciding how you want to look.

[Anna Iram]

I'm curious. What do braiders charge at faire? I love to watch them work, but never asked the price.

[isabelladangelo]

The hair braiders differ by faire and by what design.  I've seen the price as low as $15 and as high as $125.  Most of the time, I pay between $35 ~ $50 for my small-of-the-back length hair.  I typically get a decently complicated design in the form of braids on the sides and into a braided bun with smaller braids.   

As for the original question: different colored underskirts.  Skirts are very very easy to make (awesome beginners projects!) and a different colored skirt can help a lot.  If the dress is sleeveless, detachable sleeves in different colors as well.  You don't have to have them on your arms -there are plenty of period paintings showing ladies with their sleeves tied to the back of their gowns but not on their arms.  Gotta keep 'em handy in case the weather changes!   Also, the trim idea does help a lot.

[gem]

Lucky you--your hair is long enough to braid & tape it around your head, like this:



Being able to braid "just a little bit" is plenty! It's not complicated. You can google "Renaissance hair taping" and find several tutorials (some using more complicated methods), but here are the basics:

1. Part your hair down the middle.
2. Braid each side.
3. At the bottom of the braids, tie your ribbons.
4. Wrap the braids around your head.
5. Tie the ribbons where the braids meet.
6. Take a big plastic tapestry needle and thread the end of one ribbon through it.
7. Then just "sew" your braid to your head to secure it, wrapping it all the way along the braids.
8. Repeat on the other side.

The ribbons keep even the slipperiest hair from coming undone! (I wish mine was long enough, but I'm wanting to try some false hair, too.)

[Anna Iram]

I never knew the ribbon was used to sew the braids on. How interesting.

[Mairte]

I really love all of the suggestions. Now I dont feel so terrible about having to use the same dress this year. I was pretty depressed about it.
Rowan, I dont think I know what you are talking about with the butterfly hair holders?
I am thinking a type of satiny ribbon for my hair,sleeves and bodice area.
Gem....WOW....can I really do that with MY hair? I love that look...

[Once Debauched]

I never knew the ribbon was used to sew the braids on. How interesting.

Yeah, what she said!

The second I read that I thought "Oh, no wonder I could never get the kidlettes braids to stay put.  DUH."

[Adriana Rose]

http://homeschoolblogger.com/ahistoryofhair/page/2/


This has alot of different hair styles that seem fairly easy to do.

[Rani Zemirah]

Mairte, these are the combs that Rowen was talking about...



You can find them in just about any WalMart or Walgreens in the As Seen On TV section.