Questions about Moresca.

[Lady Neysa]

I'm considering buying a bodice from Moresca. I've  never owned any of their stuff, but I love them. They are one of my favorite shops at MDRF.  I'm very short-about 5'1", short waisted, and have fairly huge tracts of land- 44DD.  Would any of their styles work for me?  I think I read somewhere on here once that the Max and Max 2 bodices are good for short waisted-ness.  Would one of these be better than the other?  With me being so short and plump I don't know if the extra eupulet and peplums would add unecessary  "clutter" to my look, if that makes any sense. Clean looking lines and all that..

What is their turn around time like?  MDRF starts Aug. 29.

I know the best thing would probably be to wait and go in person and try one on, but I don't get to make it to faire a lot, and whenever I go the shop is always jammed with other people trying stuff on. That, and it takes me enough time in the parking lot to get what I am wearing adjusted just right after the long drive and I don't ever really feel like getting undressed again.  Also, I'm just plain impatient, and want one before I go, so I can show up in it.  

Thoughts, suggestions?

[gem]

The folks on the Wenches' Guild boards are *big* Moresca fans, and talk about their bodices all the time.  I'd ask over there, but you might also check out these threads:

http://www.wench.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19224&highlight=Moresca
http://www.wench.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22783&highlight=Moresca

I'd actually love to just *see* their stuff in person once in my life!

[Athena]

I've recently ordered from them, and have in the past, and they have excellent customer service! They also ship quickly, I've always gotten my orders within two to three days. That may change when some of the faires they're at open and they get their merchandise out on the road.

Your best bet would be to call them and talk to someone, and they can help you chose a bodice that's flattering for your body type. Have your measurements ready, including your bra size. I've talked to one of their reps on the phone before, and they're great people, very accommodating.

Also, they're a bit on the expensive side when it comes to shipping & handling. You're not going to pay a $5 to $6 flat rate for standard shipping. It'll cost you anywhere from $10 to $15, depending on the size and weight of your package. Considering how fast they ship out and the great customer service, I say it's worth it. The clothes aren't too shabby either. 

Good luck, let us know when you find a bodice!

[Joyce "Delfinia DuSwallow" Howard]

Lady Neysa, Moresca is my all time favorite. What I do is -not even worry about getting completely dressed b/4 I go into faire, I just go straight to Moresca. Find what I want , if I want to wear it that day they will hold your clothes till you are ready to go home.And the best time to go is first thing in the morning, that way the are not crowded, its cooler and the selection is good. I'm a plus size girl and rather short but everything fits really nice,plus they have tricks for your straps to help the fit. I have always been very pleased with them. Oh yea,
once I bought a bodice and weeks later I wanted to return it and they exchanged it ,no hassels. So good luck and hope to see you there. Shop On!

I have 3 Moresca bodice and 1 dress and a couple of skirts.

[Athena]

And the best time to go is first thing in the morning, that way the are not crowded, its cooler and the selection is good.

Now I know the very first thing I'm going to do @ MDRF! 

[Mairghread]

I have a Max, and I am also rather short waisted and have large tracts of land and it fits wonderfully.  Its stiff enough to flatten you out to a nice silouette, and it laces both sides and back, so you can do a lot of adjusting to get everything where you want it to be.
I bought mine from their stall at MDRF, so I don't know about online order wait time.

[FortuneRose]

I don't own any of their bodices (big flop on that one....partial story below) but have tried many of them on at TRF...  LOVED them.  I am a terrible shopper though and can't ever seem to buy anything when I first come across it.  I have to think over it before I throw down the cash.  I pick stuff up on impulse but then a little voice of reason in my head always debates with me as to WHY I picked it up, IF I NEED it, can I do without it, etc...  so normally it gets set back down.  But, the bodices I tried on were super...  great quality, very fun and festive and comfy.  I tried to order a bodice from them a couple years back on their site, but I picked a bad time.  Their supply was VERY low and everything I wanted they didn't have in my size or color. I called and was told they were in the middle of "breaking in" a new seamstress, so they didn't have a lot of stuff at the moment.  I haven't tried since...  I got frustrated with all of my selections not being available.  Now, I can't get to TRF cause I have moved and my festival doesn't have a Moresca shoppe.   


So, I am sad and Moresca Bodice-less  (I have their Hotcotte in gold and love it, though.  Bought that while I was pregnant and it was extremely comfortable and expanded with me well.......     http://www.moresca.com/product_info.php?products_id=67    )   I know that was of no help.

[Taffy Saltwater]

I've got four Morescas - one Philippa, two Pirates and one Max.  My favorite is the Pirate, which does amazing things to the waistline, but more gifted wenches have had  problems w/the girls coming untucked.  I'm a 44D & have never had this issue, but then, I mean business when I lace.  Max makes a nice shape & profile.  Philippa is growing on me.

It is really nice to buy them from fair - the sales ladies are helpful.  You could wear your skirt, petticoat & chemise to fair w/a bra that's ready for the dustbin.  Go to Moresca, get fitted & have them throw away the bra.  Also, go as soon in season as possible as they it's been my experience that they run low on large sizes w/each passing week.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I have heard many good things about Moresca bodices. They seem to fit a woman well regardless of how amplely endowed she may be.

[CapnFayeCutler]

The quality is good but be sure to try on in person - I had a moresca bodice (The SB Brocade actually), and even *I'm* too short waisted for it (And I'm pretty darn short waisted). I do want to get one of their pirate or max 2 bodices though @_@.

[Khaalis]

To throw in a different $0.02 worth...
We have a Moresca booth as Sterling. I have a Morseca Starmite vest for my gypsy attire. Its not bad quality, though I'm not particularly fond of the materials (all very stiff and heavy modern synthetics). Also, I don't know if the bodices are lined or not, but the mens' vests are lined with a synthetic satin and the color is known to run when wet (especially sweating) which ruined a number of people's I know shirts in our summer heat (fair is July/August) last year. Just something to keep in mind. Not sure if anyone else has had such an experience or not.

[Blue66669]

Nope, the bodices are lined in canvas, so there's usually no problem. I absolutely LOVE my pirate bodice AND my max bodice. The pirate bodice was purchased back in 2006 I think, right after I had my daughter. I've loved and cared for that thing for the past 3 years, and it has beautifully shaped my figure for that long as well. It has held up pretty nicely, and I wear it on a fairely regular basis.

[Joyce "Delfinia DuSwallow" Howard]

Hey Blue, How do you clean your Moresca Bodice? I've been using dry cleaners secret.

[Blue66669]

I send it to my father, who is a dry cleaner. Other than that, in a pinch, I'll spritz it with Febreeze and hang it in the bathroom while I'm in the shower.

[Athena]

The quality is good but be sure to try on in person - I had a moresca bodice (The SB Brocade actually), and even *I'm* too short waisted for it (And I'm pretty darn short waisted). I do want to get one of their pirate or max 2 bodices though @_@.

I have an SB and have mixed feelings about it. I love the fabric and color, and it's figure flattering. It runs small though, and is a bit too snug. I don't recommend this particular style for well endowed gals, because it's cut lower at the bust and you might get overhang.

[CapnFayeCutler]

The quality is good but be sure to try on in person - I had a moresca bodice (The SB Brocade actually), and even *I'm* too short waisted for it (And I'm pretty darn short waisted). I do want to get one of their pirate or max 2 bodices though @_@.

I have an SB and have mixed feelings about it. I love the fabric and color, and it's figure flattering. It runs small though, and is a bit too snug. I don't recommend this particular style for well endowed gals, because it's cut lower at the bust and you might get overhang.

*giggle* I think that mighta been my problem. It was a bodice emergency though.

Ooh, my new Odd Bodkin should be here todayish!

[Charlotte Rowan]

Anyone have a Khadija bodice? I've really been wanting one for the last few years... this year still probably won't be the year, but maybe next... but I don't want to buy one at all if it's not going to work for me. I am 5'9", 140lb and 34B-C and I've rarely found a bodice that a) is long enough for my very long waist (which is why I'd like to try a shorter bodice like the Khadijia), b) can give me some cleavage. Any expert advice?

(I did recently purchase a Crimson Gypsy bodice with side lacing, which helps with the cleavage. Without side lacing, I find that in order to get it tight enough around my chest, I have to lace it so tight around my belly that it cuts into my hips and stomach and makes kind of an upside-down muffin look out of my belly fat. Very unflattering! But the Crimson Gypsy seems to be much better. Just looking for a different style with the Khadija.)

[Joyce "Delfinia DuSwallow" Howard]

Charlotte Rowan, My daughter has a Khadija bodice and she just loves it. She says its very comfortable to wear, not to mention the girls at Moresca can give you a ton of ideas on how to wear it with other pieces.

[Charlotte Rowan]

Thanks, Lady Joyce Ann. It looks great on her! Maybe I'll get one for next year...

[bellaluna]

My mother owns 2 bodices from Moresca and I know that she has had them for YEARS.  They are extremely sturdy and I believe that the boning is metal in hers...and they are made very well.  I think her's are all different panels, maybe 5-6 panels made individually each with boning.   

[Adriana Rose]

I have a Max and I love it!

I am bad girl though I just rinse it out after a weekend at faire and it still fits like the day it got here even after a baby!

I really wish that they would do a pirate or a fairy bodice without all the bits and bobs on them though

[gypsylakat]

My friend and I went in moresca with the intent to purchase a khadja for her... she is around a C, leaning into a d, but she's very very slender and long waisted, and the khadja to get the right Lift, and not hang off her, wasn't large enough to cover the bottoms of her breasts without showing a lot, to get them fluffed up and the bodice lifting not squshing, she might as well not had one on, because it was completely cupless basically.. So I would recommend an in person purchase there.

[Nailin]

Does anyone know if you can turn the Max into a corset?