RenaissanceFestival.com Forums

Faire Garb => Garbing => Topic started by: Kaymrial on October 05, 2008, 04:10:05 AM

Title: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: Kaymrial on October 05, 2008, 04:10:05 AM
I've looked around a bit on this forum, but I didn't see much that would help me, so I figured I'd ask for opinions instead.  My sister is interested in dressing up for the Faire, but she's a little picky.  She doesn't like to wear skirts, so she figures she can be a pirate and get away with wearing pants.  She wants to wear a bodice, but she's tall (about 6ft tall), and long waisted, and so is having a hard time.  She got a bodice a while ago, when I got my garb, but she doesn't like it because she got one that was too big, and it hits her at the rib cage, not the waist (her words, not mine).  She doesn't like the way it looks on her, because it pushes all of her, uh, cushioning up and down, creating the lovely shelf like effect on the top of it, and the not so lovely one below it.  It wouldn't be so bad, if she was wearing skirts, but, as I said, she won't.  She thinks maybe getting a stomacher or something like that may work better, but I wasn't sure, so I figured I'd ask the experts. ;) 

The Faire here in Vegas is next weekend, and she plans to keep her eyes peeled, as long as it's within her budget.  If she doesn't find anything there, she'll look elsewhere as well.  We're just interested in suggestions (mostly she wants to wear the pants, but wants the bodice effect, hehehe).
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: sealion on October 05, 2008, 07:00:44 AM
She might try wrapping a sash around her waist to cover the area between the bottom of the bodice and the waist of her pants and see if she likes that look.
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: Marietta Graziella on October 05, 2008, 07:37:32 AM
I am also rather long waisted so I purchased a Max II bodice from Moresca.com (http://moresca.com)  There site is currently under construction so it won't help for this weekend but perhaps in the future. 

The Max II bodice is longer waisted than others I've found and I don't have any problems with it being too short.  Give them a call.  They are great to work with so perhaps they can offer some suggestions for your sister.
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: isabelladangelo on October 05, 2008, 10:10:00 AM
I'm long waisted and know the feeling she's describing a bit too well.   Trying to find a bodice that is long enough gets very difficult and frustrating.  It's one of the reasons I started sewing in the first place 12 or so years ago!    ;)  It's far easier to find a comfortable high waist bodice than it is to find a elongated bodice.  Have her try on an early Italian style open front gown.  She can pin the skirt back and show off her bloomers.   

One style that she might want to try is at Moresca.  It's a high waisted bodice with a short in front, knee length in back skirt attached to it.  It fits similarly to many early Italian styles.  Wear that with a pair of puffy pants and a nice flowing white shirt/chemise top beneath it and it would look quite nice.

Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: Lady Kathleen of Olmsted on October 05, 2008, 10:59:05 AM


When I measure for custom made garb, I measure from the bottom of the neck at the shoulders(nape) to the natural waist line, and then subtract 3 1/2  inches for where the finished edge of the bodice will hit. That  trick works for me. That way, snippets of the lace on the Chemise can show in the back.
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: Lady Amy of York on October 05, 2008, 11:23:23 AM
If she is going as a pirate  she may try wearing a vest instead of a bodice.  I am a tall  girl ( the same height as your sister) and when i dress up as   a pirate i wear a long captain's vest  that  laces up the front. I can adjust the tightness. It gives me the cleavage effect that  a bodice does and is still long enough to cover my waist. 
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: renren on October 05, 2008, 12:26:08 PM
Amy, where did you get your vest? I think it's a fantstic idea!
I, too am tall and long waisted.
Got pics?
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: analise on October 05, 2008, 08:12:43 PM
I recently got an amazing bodice from www.damseldress.com and noted that they're much longer than most bodices I see and terribly comfy. She could check there!

(my other thought was the Moresca one already mentioned :) )
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: gypsylakat on October 05, 2008, 08:40:27 PM
where was damsel 2 days ago when i was trying to convince my friend that she could find much better bodices than the khadija from moresca? (the battle only ended, when she tried one on and found that either the bottoms of her pups hung out, or their noses went exploring at the top *rolls eyes* So i talked her into an irish style overdress made of like this embroidered/tapestry satiny stuff thinking she'd where a cropped chemise or at least this wrap thing she had on before fashioned as a halter bra thing... I was wrong... class.... not so much...
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: Lady Amy of York on October 05, 2008, 09:37:04 PM
Quote from: renren on October 05, 2008, 12:26:08 PM
Amy, where did you get your vest? I think it's a fantstic idea!
I, too am tall and long waisted.
Got pics?

RenRen, i do have pics, but not loaded on my laptop  that i am on now. I ahve some on my regular computer. i will try to post some tomorrow.  I am trying to remember where i got it from.  I brought my pirate garb from three different vendors.  Let me think, and i will get back to you.   But yes, the vest works great  for me.    It hits just below my waist and it laces upfront, and i can tie it as tight as i want. 

Oh..i found the sales slip. I got my vest from Realm Collections. They use to be known as  Medevil Weapon art. Go to their website  and  type in pirate vest.  It is the red vest that laces up the  front. I think it also came in green and black at the time i got  mine.
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: renren on October 05, 2008, 10:26:56 PM
Oh, thanks Amy!
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: dragongirl on October 06, 2008, 03:34:20 AM
Quote from: gypsylakat on October 05, 2008, 08:40:27 PM
where was damsel 2 days ago when i was trying to convince my friend that she could find much better bodices than the khadija from moresca? (the battle only ended, when she tried one on and found that either the bottoms of her pups hung out, or their noses went exploring at the top *rolls eyes* So i talked her into an irish style overdress made of like this embroidered/tapestry satiny stuff thinking she'd where a cropped chemise or at least this wrap thing she had on before fashioned as a halter bra thing... I was wrong... class.... not so much...
Before Pennsic this year I thought that was a old hand at the Ren-Rats book of bad garb choices.  Wow, was that an eye opener.  Forget about class, public decency and the common good were more the things needed.  My personal favorite was the lady wearing just a choli top and bellydancer's belt with side split see thru pants(no unddies) at ohh I'd say a modest 340-400lbs. :o  Seriously though, If the OP's sister wants that corset look try verymerry's frock coat bodice which laces up or get a good wench's belt which is what I did because I hate not wearing a bra in public even laced up, it's just not natural.   
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: Kate XXXXXX on October 06, 2008, 04:11:12 AM
An Irish style dress with nowt under it?  Interesting choice...   ;)

See through pants...  There is, I'm sure, a time and a place for those, but this doesn't sound like one of them!  While we do try NOT to snark, there are times when things just ain't right.

Curiosity drove me to look at the Damsel in this Dress pages.  What fun THOSE are!  Nice take on the pirate coat...

(Wanders off, head in Fabric Clouds...  )
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: analise on October 06, 2008, 12:28:10 PM
Kate, the pirate coat is pretty much what I've got, but the "tails" are longer, I think, than the ones posted on her site. I've only worn it once (without sleeves) so far to MDRF. Probably will wear it this weekend with sleeves since it should be cool enough. After I get some insoles for my boots. ;)
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: Kate XXXXXX on October 06, 2008, 01:32:00 PM
I need insoles for a pair of my boots...  My feet got thin when I lost weight, and I now slide about inside them!

I love the detatchable sleeve idea, as I very often feel cold when all about me are dying of heat!
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: Dev on October 08, 2008, 12:42:39 AM
I'm not necessarily tall, but I run into the problem of things being too short if they fit me width-wise and too wide if they fit me length wise, be they normal clothes or bodices.

Nearly all pre-made bodices I've tried on hit around the middle of my ribcage and not my waist, like your friend's problem is.

I got my bodice custom-made from verymerryseamstress.com  It was affordable too.
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: Kate XXXXXX on October 08, 2008, 03:33:34 AM
I'm long waisted for my height, having a back/waist measurement of 16 and a half inches and being only 5'4".  I often need to lengthen things at the waist by an inch or so.
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: Kaymrial on October 11, 2008, 02:36:40 AM
Thanks for all the suggestions.  My sister did like the idea of the pirate vest, but I have to say she really loved Damsel In This Dress.  Especially the Pirate style one.  They look really good, with some interesting styles (even if not as period in shape, but she's totally fine with that, considering she's going for pants anyway).  I liked them too, but the only thing that I wasn't as fond of is the fact that they're meant to be worn with a bra, because to me that kind of defeats the purpose of the bodice, lol.  We've also ordered a catalog from Moresca, so we can check out the recommendations.  I liked VeryMerrySempstress.com, also, but she's got her heart set on Damsel. 

Thanks again, guys.
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: fallenangel1241 on October 13, 2008, 12:21:53 AM

I had this same problem, being the 5'11 Amazon queen that I am, until talked to Devlyn from OddBodkin. She recommended adding some inches in length to the bodices she was making me for me (cost about $10-$20 more for custom work) and it has made all the difference. My strong recommendation would be to take a look there or somewhere that offers custom work. You can always, as was suggested, find styles that run longer in the torso area, but coming from someone who has worked in several clothing booths and has done tons of searching for a longer torso-ed bodice, I know it can be hard to limit your choices because of body type. Just a suggestion...good luck!
Title: Re: Long-waisted lass?
Post by: analise on October 14, 2008, 03:15:48 PM
Quote from: Kaymrial on October 11, 2008, 02:36:40 AM
Thanks for all the suggestions.  My sister did like the idea of the pirate vest, but I have to say she really loved Damsel In This Dress.  Especially the Pirate style one.  They look really good, with some interesting styles (even if not as period in shape, but she's totally fine with that, considering she's going for pants anyway).  I liked them too, but the only thing that I wasn't as fond of is the fact that they're meant to be worn with a bra, because to me that kind of defeats the purpose of the bodice, lol.  We've also ordered a catalog from Moresca, so we can check out the recommendations.  I liked VeryMerrySempstress.com, also, but she's got her heart set on Damsel. 

Thanks again, guys.

I've tried mine on both with and without the bra. If you lace it from bottom to top, it holds the "girls" up enough to get away with. But it definitely doesn't bring them up as much as my other bodices. It does look better with a bra, but I found it to still be quite comfortable. Of course, that assumes a good bra fit as well as a good bodice fit. :)