Corset Alternatives

[Lishy]

Hi everyone.

So, pretty much all of my ren garb consists of an outfit to be worn with either a bodice or corset. Unfortunately, I have a health issue Im afraid may not be resolved before faire in October, so I need to prepare with a couple of alternative garb options. Im hoping you all can point me in a couple of directions.

I prefer long sleeves, full skirts, and need it to not be restrictive or tight over my lower stomach. Any help/ideas/links you could send would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[operafantomet]

Hi everyone.

So, pretty much all of my ren garb consists of an outfit to be worn with either a bodice or corset. Unfortunately, I have a health issue Im afraid may not be resolved before faire in October, so I need to prepare with a couple of alternative garb options. Im hoping you all can point me in a couple of directions.

I prefer long sleeves, full skirts, and need it to not be restrictive or tight over my lower stomach. Any help/ideas/links you could send would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Italian high Renaissance style, as featured in "The Borgias" and often in "Romeo & Juliet", comes to mind.

It will typically consist of a high-waisted dress with front or side lacing, with a full skirt. Wearing a looser overdress is optional, but was usually done in the 15th century. In the 16th century it was very often NOT done, until the 1560s sometime. The overdress often had a V opening in front, revealing the dress underneath. The sleeves of the underdress is also usually seen. But the underdress could also be worn on its own, as here:




Here's some underdresses with overdresses:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/venezia1/bellini1496ven.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/venezia1/carpaccio1495b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/roma/pinturicchio1492-95catherine.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/firenze1/ghirlandaio1486f.jpg


ETA: here's a link to discussion and pictures on "The Borgias", if you want real dress inspiration:
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=14854.0

[isabelladangelo]

Yeap, Italian.  Think of it as a sports bra with a skirt.   You may also want to look into Elizabethan Loose Gowns and Elizabethan Spanish Surcotes. 

[gem]

For days I don't want to deal with a bodice or corset or LAYERS (!), I have what I call my Easy Dress. It's the one in my avatar:



100% linen, no boning, no lacing, open down the front so the breeze blows through as I walk. I have gads and gads of garb, and end up choosing to wear this dress way too often, because it's way too comfortable.   

I made mine, but if you were shopping for something, look for what garb merchants typically call an Irish dress.  Sofi's Stitches carries a nice one, in heavy cotton twill.



Actually, many of the Sofi's gowns would fit your requirements of being non-restrictive in the abdomen... lots of them trend toward more of a noble look, too.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Here is my lightweight cotton dress I made.  Definitely not noble or middle class, but nice and cool.  I suppose you could jazz it up by using different fabrics and trims, but this is what I wear when I don't want to be constricted or wear a bodice.  Wearing a waist length chemise and white lace bloomers



Side view.  Same chemise and bloomers.



With a different chemise

[dragongirl]

You might also try going viking.  It's simple, loose, and very forgiven.  Here is a link that shows what they look like:
http://search.aol.com/aol/imageDetails?s_it=imageDetails&q=viking+dress&v_t=wscreen-searchboxhtml&b=image%3Fs_it%3Dwscreen-searchboxhtml%26q%3Dviking%2Bdress%26oreq%3D183d877170bb4b92b0ec9c87e73a429d&img=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gelfling.dds.nl%2FRobes%2Fhedeby%2520style.JPG&host=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gelfling.dds.nl%2Fviking2.html&width=62&height=94&thumbUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages-partners-tbn.google.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcQnOiEEtwguPN65ukfNDDP8ITZRaYDnOST1WP798SXWcvhCOKq-gGWkfvc&imgWidth=314&imgHeight=472&imgSize=40398&imgTitle=viking+dress

[Lishy]

Thank you all so much for your kind help! Im going to miss my corsets and the resulting boost of confidence I get when in them, but health and comfort over looks!

You are all wonderful! Thanks again!

[DonaCatalina]

Yeap, Italian.  Think of it as a sports bra with a skirt.   You may also want to look into Elizabethan Loose Gowns and Elizabethan Spanish Surcotes.  

I would recommend Italian. Yes, the bodice does stop short of the stomach even though it is slightly lower than where your bra would ride. And I don't think you would sacrifice anything in the way of looks.

See example here

[amy]

Those are all terrific ideas (these girls are great)   but maybe your home faire is a little earlier?  Maybe more Medieval?   I did this short waisted dress for comfort and tried to avoid the slim long waisted medieval look this way.



(Man... it is really hard to look decent standing next to Bugsy.   So pretty)

[Dinobabe]

Bellydance!!!! or gypsy!

[Lishy]

Dinobabe, I have been trying to talk myself into the bellydance/gypsy thing for a while. Problem for me is finding the right top combo. Im too large chested for just a bra (36H) and I prefer to keep my arms covered due to my psoriasis/sensitivity to the sun. What exactly is acceptable faire gypsy wear, anyway? I mean I know its pretty hard to go HA with it. . . any ideas?

[gem]

Dinobabe, I have been trying to talk myself into the bellydance/gypsy thing for a while. Problem for me is finding the right top combo. Im too large chested for just a bra (36H) and I prefer to keep my arms covered due to my psoriasis/sensitivity to the sun. What exactly is acceptable faire gypsy wear, anyway? I mean I know its pretty hard to go HA with it. . . any ideas?

What about a ghawazee coat?! It would meet all your requirements!  There's an excellent thread on these boards about them, from last year.

[Lady L]

You could wear a choli top (short sleeves or with longer pieces at the elbows) and a ghawazee coat, as gem said. I made several coats. Folkwear has some patterns and illustrations for ideas. I made Atira's and bought Madam Xs.

Here's a new one from Simplicity.
http://www.simplicity.com/p-6171-misses-costumes.aspx

Folkwear 144
http://www.folkwear.com/caravan.html

Here's some photos and discussion from last year.
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=12237.15

Another discussion with photos.
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=13395.msg281581#msg281581

[Rani Zemirah]

I was just looking at that same search page!  I'm planning a ghawazee coat for this season, as well, and they look very comfortable.  They can be layered underneath, as well, depending on the weather, so you can stay as cool or as warm as you need to.  Also gives you an excuse to wear a gorgeously decorated bra on the outside of your clothing, for a change!   

[isabelladangelo]

Dinobabe, I have been trying to talk myself into the bellydance/gypsy thing for a while. Problem for me is finding the right top combo. Im too large chested for just a bra (36H) and I prefer to keep my arms covered due to my psoriasis/sensitivity to the sun. What exactly is acceptable faire gypsy wear, anyway? I mean I know its pretty hard to go HA with it. . . any ideas?

http://www.freewebs.com/isabelladangelo/turkishcoat.htm

Turkish!  Turkish!  Turkish!  Very H/A and what was really being worn by belly dancers in the 16th C.   For what the Roma really wore:

http://www.larsdatter.com/romani.htm