Garb For Mastectomy Survivor

[jackrocks]

You should never apologize for being who you are. Exactly who you are is enough and just perfect.

I'm no good at historical stuff. I was thinking of a swishy frock coat with lots of detail up top.

[gem]

I ran across a wonderful older thread on just this topic!

http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=5657.0

Lots of ideas and pictures therein. 

[GryffinSong]

Thank you, gem, that post has some wonderful ideas!!!

I'm currently thinking of Byzantine for the SCA, but that's too early a period for ren, so I'll need two garb themes.

[captmarga]

Hey lady!  Go for whatever you want!  I had that scene from Thoroughly Modern Millie come to mind when Millie looks at the other gals and thinks to herself... "Why do rich girls' beads always hang straight"... because in the 1920s the bound chest was in.  Just think, you can wear a necklace with a big drop pearl and it won't get hidden in the valley, or hang wonky. 

So you are flat chested now... jewels.  Ruffles of lovely, gauzy lace. Beads.  Shirred gathered bodices on empire waists.

http://blogs.getty.edu/iris/files/2011/07/boethius_detail.jpg

Or go Germanic - there is so much going on all over the costume, you don't have to worry about bust area.
http://onedelightfulday.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/cranach_judith_victorious.jpg

http://onedelightfulday.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/judith-1545-lucas-cranach-the-elder-14.jpg?w=490

http://medieval-bride.blogspot.com/2011/10/dress-inspirational-paintings.html

I hope you have a blast coming up with lovely gowns!  ROCK IT!

Marga

[GryffinSong]

Thanks, Marga, those are great! I love the portraits of the two women who've chopped off men's heads. Gross, but the women and their garb are wonderful.

I've decided that my SCA persona will be Irish. I'm approximately half Irish myself, and have only done minimal study on their history. I did some reading a few days ago and am fascinated, especially about how christianity blended more with the local pagans than in other countries. It seems a kinder, gentler transition. I also like how women were treated, as compared to many other countries of the time. Able to divorce, own their own property independendly of their husbands, and so on. The clothing seems fairly simple, but we shall see. I'm hosting a sewing circle tomorrow night for the local A&S folks in my local SCA group, so we'll see what feedback they might have.

As for the jewelry comments ... YAY!!! I can totally get behind the jewelry idea!!!