RenaissanceFestival.com Forums

Faire Garb => Garbing => Topic started by: Adriana Rose on December 06, 2010, 10:09:02 PM

Title: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: Adriana Rose on December 06, 2010, 10:09:02 PM
I am looking for a bodice and I was wondering who made your favorite bodice, where you got it. Ya know all the gory details. ;D
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: lady serena on December 06, 2010, 11:14:21 PM
Odd Bodkin is were I got mine from and I love it.
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: Lady Renee Buchanan on December 07, 2010, 06:37:15 AM
Mine's a tie.  Moresca for a fancier bodice.  I love my Frou Frou!  I just won another one on Ebay & it is beautiful, too. 

Pendragon Leather for my suede & tooled leather celtic cross bodice.  Two totally different styles, but the customer service for both is fantastic.  It depends on the look you are going for.  I wouldn't wear my Moresca as a peasant, and on the other hand, I don't feel my Pendragon is anywhere near noble.
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: LadyStitch on December 07, 2010, 10:27:51 AM
I'm lady Renee.  I have both a Pendragon and a Moresca.   I love the vesitility of my Pendragon and the lovely tooling.   I also have come to like the Pendragon that the Pink Pirate got me this past TRF. I have always had problems with my lower back at faire.  Since I got the Moresca  I haven't had an issue.  In fact I got back to camp late  and had to cook food for 20 people wearing it.  I really had no problem wearing it. And I absolutly loved it. 

Both allow for adjustments thanks to the versitily of lacings.  It all depends on what your flavor of bodice would be.
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: gem on December 07, 2010, 12:18:00 PM
We don't have Pendragon, Odd Bodkin, or Moresca at KCRF, so I've never gotten to see their wares. My favorite bodices are from Ophelia's (http://www.opheliasonline.com/). The support is AMAZING, and they seem to find the most gorgeous fabrics out there (unfortunately, I always seem to fall in love with the wrong size, or a fabric that goes with *nothing* else I own. LOL).

Here's my favorite one (now, alas, 50lbs too big for me!). It's a black chenille with orange, green, etc flowers, plus velvet ribbon sleeves! It laces up the front like a stomacher.

(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/8281948/110825764.jpg)

Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: Lady Kett on December 07, 2010, 06:19:16 PM
I have 2 Odd Bodkins which are my favorites, 1 Moresca which is a close 2nd and a Pendragon which is a far away third. I love my Pendragon, but I love the others more.

I am liking the looks of Ophelia's though! I see they are -or at leaset were- at Scarby (squee!) so if they are back this year I must investigate further!
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: Delireus on December 08, 2010, 04:56:59 PM
I want half the things Moresca sells, and it kills me to go to their shop at TRF and walk out empty handed :(

I've got 3 pieces from Damsel in this Dress and I'm waiting on a 4th. I actually ordered something from her a few weeks ago and when it came in the mail, the colors were not what I thought they'd be. It was depicted as white and black, but the white was so off white it looks like tan! I emailed her and she's letting me exchange it. I've always had great customer service from her. Also, while I haven't tried any other bodice from other sellers, I have a piece from her that is seriously the only thing I have ever worn that gives me cleavage. It is really sad how little boobs I have, but when I wear DitD bodices, I have them! I'm kinda hooked...
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: Rowan MacD on December 08, 2010, 06:54:55 PM
   Moresca Max and Max II is my fav for looks and durability, since I like to lace tightly. 5 years and counting and still looking good.  Delicious color/pattern combos.
   For day to day washable I like the Sofi Stitches Locklace.  The grommets are starting to show wear in the bosom after 4 years, since that is where the most stress is, but a good value for the money.
  I have an Odd Bodkin Wench that lasted one year before it started to pull out of the grommets in odd places.  This is the loosest bodice I own and even fully laced is not tight. Don't know what the issue with the grommets is, but I won't be buying another.  Too bad, I love the color.
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: Lady Rochelle on December 08, 2010, 07:11:06 PM
I have a Damsel in the Dress  bodice, absolutely  love it!!!! Love the rods in front, love the color selction. I will be buying another this year..
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: Athena on December 09, 2010, 06:39:14 PM
My favorite, and the one I wear most often is my brocade lock-lace from Sofi's. I got it at ORF five years ago and it's still holding up well. My Moresca Max II I got at MDRF is a very close second. It's the most beautiful bodice I own, and worth every penny I spent on it!
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: TheAlchemistsStar on December 15, 2010, 09:00:33 PM
I own almost every style bodice that Michelle at Damsel In This Dress makes (www.damselinthisdress.etsy.com) and I really love her pirate coats.  DitD corsets are super comfy, especially for full working faire days.  Custom ordering and customer service with Michelle is fantastic, too.

I also splurged on a Moresca Max II this year and I really love wearing it on days when I'm "raising my station" a bit.  I can't get into the Moresca without help so I wore it only about three or four times this past season at MDRF.  Being fairly well endowed, I love the way that Moresca lifts :)
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: RumbaRue on January 08, 2011, 12:48:38 PM
I made my own.

The black trim including around the gromets is actually black leather. This bodice is still in fantastic condition considering I made it over 10 years ago!

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/RumbaRue/All%20kinds%20of%20pictures/RumbaRue001.jpg)
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: gem on January 08, 2011, 02:44:25 PM
Rhumba, that's terrific. And I make almost all of my bodices, too--but I think the OP was looking for recommendations on RTW bodices.
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: Adriana Rose on January 08, 2011, 05:27:40 PM
Either way its fun to see what you guys like!

Alas the new ready to wear bodice is gonna have to wait for a while and it looks like I am gonna try to make one
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: Queen Bonnie on January 10, 2011, 08:10:45 AM
 Moresca! I have several fairy bodices in different colors. Very comfortable! My Evil Twin loves her pirate bodice from Moresca!
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: operafantomet on January 13, 2011, 07:04:50 PM
I hear ya about the Moresca praise. I've never tried their products themselves, but there must be a reason why everyone loves their products. It had me curious and I browsed through their side. And...

It annoys me that they advertise their items as "Authentic middle class Renaissance historical clothing and costumes". I mean, really? Cool? yes. Comfortable? Definitely, judging your comments. Quality work? Ditto. But there really isn't too much historical about their style and construction, nor their fabrics. The random placement of X lacing in bodices, the draped skirts, the LOTR like dresses, the bare shoulders, the giant crinolines - this isn't Renaissance. It is fiction. Funky fiction! They should be proud of that. I don't see their desire to label it as authentic historical garbs when they make awesome fantasy garbs.

Sorry to be so negative here. I hope y'all see what I mean. I'm impressed with Moresca, and I think they should stress that their style is unique rather than putting a wrong label on their products.
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: Lady Renee Buchanan on January 15, 2011, 08:05:02 AM
Quote from: operafantomet on January 13, 2011, 07:04:50 PM
I hear ya about the Moresca praise. I've never tried their products themselves, but there must be a reason why everyone loves their products. It had me curious and I browsed through their side. And...

It annoys me that they advertise their items as "Authentic middle class Renaissance historical clothing and costumes". I mean, really? Cool? yes. Comfortable? Definitely, judging your comments. Quality work? Ditto. But there really isn't too much historical about their style and construction, nor their fabrics. The random placement of X lacing in bodices, the draped skirts, the LOTR like dresses, the bare shoulders, the giant crinolines - this isn't Renaissance. It is fiction. Funky fiction! They should be proud of that. I don't see their desire to label it as authentic historical garbs when they make awesome fantasy garbs.

Sorry to be so negative here. I hope y'all see what I mean. I'm impressed with Moresca, and I think they should stress that their style is unique rather than putting a wrong label on their products.

I think that anyone who knows about historically accurate, would see by looking at their pictures that it isn't, so I don't think that is too much of an issue.  For those who don't mind if it's accurate or not, they probably don't even pay attention to it. 

And for faire newbies, as I was once, I would never start my garb with something as expensive as Moresca.  How many of us bought our first garb on Ebay or somewhere like that?  Just to have something to wear, not knowing much about the faire.  Until someone goes to faire enough to know they enjoy it and want to continue going, not just a one or two time deal "I heard about it, tried it, yeah, it's fun, I've done it," I think it's something you kind of grow into, like it comes with experience (unless you have a Rennie friend who steers you to it, or other expensive garb).  By that time you somewhat know what is historically accurate, so if that is the look you are going for, then you know enough not to buy a Moresca just by looking at it.
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: Rowan MacD on January 15, 2011, 08:43:36 AM
Quote from: operafantomet on January 13, 2011, 07:04:50 PM
I hear ya about the Moresca praise. I've never tried their products themselves, but there must be a reason why everyone loves their products. It had me curious and I browsed through their side. And...
It annoys me that they advertise their items as "Authentic middle class Renaissance historical clothing and costumes".
Sorry to be so negative here. I hope y'all see what I mean. I'm impressed with Moresca, and I think they should stress that their style is unique rather than putting a wrong label on their products.
Forgive me,
    Where was this on their site? I can't find any such quote.
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: operafantomet on January 15, 2011, 10:12:21 AM
Quote from: Rowen MacD on January 15, 2011, 08:43:36 AM
Quote from: operafantomet on January 13, 2011, 07:04:50 PM
I hear ya about the Moresca praise. I've never tried their products themselves, but there must be a reason why everyone loves their products. It had me curious and I browsed through their side. And...
It annoys me that they advertise their items as "Authentic middle class Renaissance historical clothing and costumes".
Sorry to be so negative here. I hope y'all see what I mean. I'm impressed with Moresca, and I think they should stress that their style is unique rather than putting a wrong label on their products.

  Forgive me,
    Where was this on their site? I can't find any such quote.

It's the headline if you google them:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/Bilde1-2.png)

Maybe it's an old tagline they don't use any more, that they started making historical garbs but changed it to a less rigid faire style after some time. And Lady Renee, you're probably right. I just think Moresca would have a headstart if they advertised their goods as the unique products they are.
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: LadyShadow on January 15, 2011, 02:04:06 PM
It could also be tag lines to help get customers to their sites. Someone might think Renaissance but actually want a fantasy type, but only know to find under the Ren style. And I bought stuff from them over 10 years ago, and some of that stuff was more Ren and less fantasy, so it may also be just an old tag line. Who knows...
Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: Rowan MacD on January 15, 2011, 08:44:53 PM
   Thanks,
I've never Googled the site, since I went there via a friend's post then bookmarked it.  I just wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something.
   Nothing on the Moresca site makes any claim to being HA.  Renee is correct that anyone remotely familiar with Historically accurate' would not be fooled for a second.  The great majority of the 'Renaissance Garb' vendors out there are fantasy and role playing clothiers, Moresca is no different.
   
   

Title: Re: Your Favorite Bodice
Post by: Athena on January 15, 2011, 10:03:07 PM
Quote from: Rowen MacD on January 15, 2011, 08:44:53 PM
 Nothing on the Moresca site makes any claim to being HA.  Renee is correct that anyone remotely familiar with Historically accurate' would not be fooled for a second.  The great majority of the 'Renaissance Garb' vendors out there are fantasy and role playing clothiers, Moresca is no different.

I agree! I can understand the concern with the tagline claiming the clothes are "authentic" but most patrons are well aware that many of the  businesses that sell medieval and Renaissance inspired clothing aren't accurate. IMO even a novice doing research on H/A costuming that stumbles across the site via Google isn't going to be fooled. What these clothiers provide, and Moresca is among the best, are beautifully made fantasy clothes, or "fairewear," that make people (especially women) feel sexy and get swept up into the spirit of faire.

I love Moresca's fabrics so much, I wish I had a bodice in every color and pattern.  :)