lady explorer

[Dev]

This idea popped into my head a few days ago...

Like Magellan and Cortez, except translated to a woman.

Anyone ever done this?  I'm thinking about it, but I need some ideas of stuff I can use to make my character obvious.

[gypsylakat]

Lady Elizabeth has this crazy awesome metal bodice/breastplate type thing, that looks really cool, and would be really awesome for an explorer garb- http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=89.msg16767#msg16767
This is a cool globe necklace
This site has some neat astrolabes

other navigating tools would be interesting as well, a compass, maps in a satchel, some bead and stuff for trading with the natives, perhaps some samples you brought back like a dream catcher or leather work, plant samples etc.

a clothing item made from your country's flag like your sleeve or something

[Dev]

Lady Elizabeth has this crazy awesome metal bodice/breastplate type thing, that looks really cool, and would be really awesome for an explorer garb- http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=89.msg16767#msg16767
This is a cool globe necklace
This site has some neat astrolabes

other navigating tools would be interesting as well, a compass, maps in a satchel, some bead and stuff for trading with the natives, perhaps some samples you brought back like a dream catcher or leather work, plant samples etc.

a clothing item made from your country's flag like your sleeve or something

Words can not describe the awesomeness of that breastplate! :0

[gypsylakat]

Yeah, I know. Maybe she'll stop by and tell you how you too can own a breastplate of awesomeness.

Or, you could make one out of tin foil... *snicker*

[Dev]

Yeah, I know. Maybe she'll stop by and tell you how you too can own a breastplate of awesomeness.

Or, you could make one out of tin foil... *snicker*

I wish I could commission a high school shop class...

Sounds cheap and educational.

[LadyElizabeth]

Ah, thanks so much for the compliments!!!  I actually had a bunch of it gilded in gold and tons more rivets put in since that pic was taken.  I had it forged buy Melvin, who works for Valentine armour who has a booth at TRF.  THey are amazing!!!  Here's some new pics.

[stonebiscuit]

Hah! You just described the character I've been playing for two years. She bills herself a conquistadora. Papá wanted a boy, mamá only had a girl...anyway, I don't wear anything so neat as Lady Elizabeth's breastplate, of which I am truly in awe. :}

I don't have any pictures handy, since I'm at work, but I can tell you a little bit about the process. Since the character is Spanish, I started with the concept of the Spanish naval uniform of approximately the time period. Mr. biscuit and I actually got to go to Puerto Rico on our honeymoon and see the old Spanish forts, which I also used as inspiration for design choices. I wanted a militaristic, gender-bending ensemble. If there was a choice between a masculine and feminine design, I went with the masculine, with just enough girly details--a leather rose in the cleavage, the curvy pattern on the fabric--to make things interesting.

I went with metal accessories wherever possible, avoiding wood and natural elements. I'm not sure if it's what you're thinking for your character specifically, but when I think of people like Cortez and the other conquistadors, I think of people who, while maybe not at odds with nature per se, are definitely not at one with it, either.

I had a very square, rigid bodice with square tabs and metal clasps over the lacing. The bodice also had a high collar, but I could never make that work to my satisfaction so it stayed down most of the time. Next time! :/ I wore ridiculously large pumpkin pants, so I frequently had to stand akimbo. I also wore an enormous tall hat--it's seriously 2 feet tall--which, I'll admit, was more for giggles than for anything else. The costume itself was primarily gold and black, with the red and white accents from the flags. Oh! And I wore a small jeweled codpiece.

gypsylakat has many excellent suggestions, but I want to point out the flag in particular. As St. Izzard reminds us, "No flag, no country." I wore a short cape with the Spanish flag on the back, and it goes beyond any other piece of equipment in drawing attentino to who and what I am. It also looked damn cool. I also carried two 3x5 flags, one for sitting on, one on a flag pole.

I hope my little novel is helpful. If you'd like, I'd be happy to dig up some pictures.

[Dinobabe]

Hah! You just described the character I've been playing for two years. She bills herself a conquistadora. Papá wanted a boy, mamá only had a girl...anyway, I don't wear anything so neat as Lady Elizabeth's breastplate, of which I am truly in awe. :}

I don't have any pictures handy, since I'm at work, but I can tell you a little bit about the process. Since the character is Spanish, I started with the concept of the Spanish naval uniform of approximately the time period. Mr. biscuit and I actually got to go to Puerto Rico on our honeymoon and see the old Spanish forts, which I also used as inspiration for design choices. I wanted a militaristic, gender-bending ensemble. If there was a choice between a masculine and feminine design, I went with the masculine, with just enough girly details--a leather rose in the cleavage, the curvy pattern on the fabric--to make things interesting.

I went with metal accessories wherever possible, avoiding wood and natural elements. I'm not sure if it's what you're thinking for your character specifically, but when I think of people like Cortez and the other conquistadors, I think of people who, while maybe not at odds with nature per se, are definitely not at one with it, either.

I had a very square, rigid bodice with square tabs and metal clasps over the lacing. The bodice also had a high collar, but I could never make that work to my satisfaction so it stayed down most of the time. Next time! :/ I wore ridiculously large pumpkin pants, so I frequently had to stand akimbo. I also wore an enormous tall hat--it's seriously 2 feet tall--which, I'll admit, was more for giggles than for anything else. The costume itself was primarily gold and black, with the red and white accents from the flags. Oh! And I wore a small jeweled codpiece.

gypsylakat has many excellent suggestions, but I want to point out the flag in particular. As St. Izzard reminds us, "No flag, no country." I wore a short cape with the Spanish flag on the back, and it goes beyond any other piece of equipment in drawing attentino to who and what I am. It also looked damn cool. I also carried two 3x5 flags, one for sitting on, one on a flag pole.

I hope my little novel is helpful. If you'd like, I'd be happy to dig up some pictures.

After THAT description we HAVE to see pics!!!

[isabelladangelo]

You might want to look up Gráinne Ní Mháille or Grace O'Malley.  She was a pirate -not an explorer- but a famous one in the 16th century.   I know there are some written documents in regards to what she wore. 

[stonebiscuit]

Ok, here we go:


This is the clearest picture I have of the entire ensemble. You can't see the tiny cannon (courtesy of Pirates of the Caribbean Monopoly) attached to the brim of the hat, it's not a great view of the cape, and it's from the first weekend, so the codpiece hadn't made an appearance yet, but there you have it.



There's a more close-up image. This was the last weekend, after the codpiece had fallen victim to my cat. I love that belt to death, though. Disregard my horrible posture.

Aaaand...that's enough for one post, I think. I hope this was even a little bit helpful to you, Dev. I've had a ton of fun with this kind of character. I felt like I was doing something right when I heard someone behind me asking "Is that a woman or a man?"