Time and again I've seen people talk about how your first garb is throwaway, and you make your way up the ladder to the better garb. I'm curious as to how long everyone had their first garb before they stepped up, and in what capacity they moved up. I can understand going from cheap shoes to something like Minnetonka or Sandlar. For other garb, though, does it just mean stepping up to a more elaborate scheme with multiple layers and such? Did you go with handmade stuff, or did you buy from a vendor who does his or her own work?
Just curious to see how everyone progressed in their garb..
Well, my *very first* costume item for faire was a reworked prom dress. Yep - I went that route. Tossed that out after one season.
Then, I began making my own stuff. The first thing I made was a Irish dress and a skirt to go with it. The skirt I still wear about 7 years later, the overdress I had to toss out because the grommets ripped out of it.
My very first Faire dress was a tank top style bodice with attached skirt made out of plaid homespun.
Back in the dark ages there weren't many vendors selling ready made garb.
That dress is now a giant pillow for laying in front of the fireplace.
I made a series of increasingly elaborate dresses over the years, about one a year. As I learned from my mistakes on the previous dresses, I found new ones to make.
My black & white Florentine was retired after closing weekend of Scarborough. It was originally made in 1997, with some tweaking since then. It was the sixth Court dress that I had attempted.
Some people are happy with ready-to-wear, and it fits them well. I personally prefer to make my own and get almost exactly what I want in style and fit.
My first garb was a halter top and velvety miniskirt and Minnetonka boots. This evolved into something approximating the Amazons on "Xena". I added suede pieces to the skirt and made suede and chainmail shoulder pieces. Bought bracers, a headpiece, pouches, etc. The eveolution of this garb lasted from 2000 to 2003.
In 2003, I transitioned to the Ranger garb I have now. I'm no seamstress, so I began buying things. A shirt and pants, and a bit later, a short leather doublet. Many of the accessories from the Amazon carried over. Upgraded to Sandlar boots in 2006 (I think) and got a custom leather tunic from Ravenswood Leather last year. For Scarby (when I'm going for a bit more period), I added a longbow and Robin Hood hat (Ranger and huntswoman cross over pretty well). This garb is pretty well set now, though I'll add accessories as I find neat things.
I think "moving up" probably means something a little different for each of us. To me moving up means learning to make my own garb so that things actually fit properly and learning about historically accurate styles, fabrics, and construction techniques.
Quote from: sealion on May 28, 2008, 08:13:20 AM
I think "moving up" probably means something a little different for each of us. To me moving up means learning to make my own garb so that things actually fit properly and learning about historically accurate styles, fabrics, and construction techniques.
*waves hands*
Me, too! :)
My current focus is on peasant to middle class Italian clothing - I don't do nobles. Every time I try to wear something fancy, I just feel silly and uncomfortable. I like wearing stuff I can just toss in the washing machine, and stuff I don't mind sitting on the dirty ground in. ;)
My first Renaissance costume was a panne velvet 'medieval' style dress with a zipper. It actually wasn't that bad - my mom helped me out, and we followed the pattern to a T. Unfortunately, the patterns available in 1992 were... unfortunate. ;)
I think "moving up" means finding your OWN style - pirate, peasant, noble - and putting together outfits that are distinctly you. It doesn't matter if they're store-bought or homemade - but it definitely is important to make it your own. The folks I see who look totally comfortable in their garb, those are the ones who I know have "it". Whatever "it" is. :)
Oh definately "moving up" is definately a journey of information, knowledge and choice.
"Moving up" is finding out how a bodice or corset really ought to fit, it is finding better quality vendors or imporving your own sewing skills. It's what happens in a hobby.
"Moving up" for me was going from garb I had purchased on ebay to garb I purchased from Moresca.
I bought several different outfits on ebay, pirate garb and tudor court gowns. None of the bodices fit me very well some of them were extremely uncomfortable! :'( Last year at TRF I was wearing the pirate garb and by 1:00 pm the bodice I was wearing was killing me. Several people recommended Moresca so I went in there and tried on one of their pirate bodices. When they laced it up I was so surprised at how comfortable it was! ;D At that point I basically just handed them my credit card and told them to just throw away the old one! Since then I have bought three other bodices from Moresca and I love them because they are so well made and they are so comfortable!
So, my "moving up" was paying more for garb that was better made and more comfortable. I pretty much live by the saying "you get what you pay for"... ;)
It's about fit for me as well, and quality of fabric. My first garb was pretty much thrown together. Khaki pants, a white peasant top, and red silk scarf to wrap around my head for a pirate-y look, and some rayon broomstick skirts for a peasant look. I had some rayon peasant tops as well but found out heat and synthetic fabrics don't mix well!
I've acquired better quality garb since then, and while my look is not H/A, I stick to quality, natural fabrics. I've also started sewing and am going for a more middle class look.
my first garb was just made of pieces taken from my old costume when i went dressed as Link from the legend of zelda one halloween. i wore that for a season and a day, and then i made some simple pieces from some scrap material around my house and some good rennie-looking clothes i found at the goodwill. i gradually started replacing each of those pieces one at a time with good, high-quality faire garb i bought from vendors as i saved up the money to buy them. a few of my things are still hand-crafted though, such as my leather pouch and my doublet (which was converted from an old sleevless leather jacket)
My first garb was a light blue skirt, white blouse/chemise, and a bodice all from the same vendor at MDRF. I wore it with a pair of slip-on sandals.
Then I decided maybe I should get an overskirt. Oooh, and another (more flexible, it had more places to lace it to fit and it was reversible) bodice. And maybe another overskirt in a different color, just for kicks. And a different blouse. Let's not forget the moccasins! Suddenly with a few pieces of garb, I can completely change my look.
Then, last year saw me get a pair of faerie wings, two new (shiny) skirts, a pretty lacy "pirate" blouse from Wolfstone, another new (even "nicer") bodice (also reversible), a shimmery blouse for faerie garb, a $4 skirt from goodwill, stripy socks, a different pair of moccasins...oh, and another overskirt.
I really like my garb being "modular" so I can make up new-looking stuff on the fly. Heh.
Im still on my basic garb sort of. I mean, I've moved on to a 2nd more comfortable shirt, but that's about it. And belt accessories.
But considering I go to the faire in Florida, where its hot ALL the time, I'm pretty happy with my thin balloon pants and sleeveless faire shirt
I agree with all that has been said. As a character evolves so does the garb. My husband started out with a monk's robe because he is a large man and patterns don't fit him. It was the easiest I could come up with. Then he wanted to be a barbarian so we went the fur route. Not so good in Texas unless we are having a blue northern, Then we went to cotton shirt and a fur trimmed vest worked much better. My garb has gone from English court dress out of cheap fabric to more of an Italian style. More flattering for larger women I think. Several of my outfits just didn't look the way I wanted them to. Sometimes it's hard to face the fact that grandmothers can't always be the sexy little things they once were. So my garb has to change. I think that's the fun part though.
I'm not sure I'd argue that your first garb should be disposable, but I will say that I'll recommend repurposed mundane clothes over cheap (disposable) costume pieces for beginners any day. Granted, that's a lot easier for women, generally. But if you think you're going to want to go in garb, I'd say start with basic pieces--shirt, breeches--and wear those until you know what you like/want.
My early garb included a pretty rust rayon peasant skirt, a striped gauze peasant blouse from Dress Barn (rust/olive/gold), and this awesome crocheted suede vest from Macedonia. Sure--mundane pieces, all, but they worked well together and gave the fair *feel.* Even six or seven years and gads and GADS of garb (H/A and otherwise) later, I look at those pictures totally without shame.
Moving up for me meant finding that piece I COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT (my flaming orange chemise), and realizing that I couldn't wander around in just that. ;D A bodice followed--a cheap (tho' not inexpensive) one, mind you. And by the following season, I knew I needed an upgrade.
...And so it goes. :)
Well if you want to go all the way back to something I wore to cons and not faire that would be a wizards robe that my wife made and I still have. If however you are talking strictly about faire, then we've made new garb every year and I have repurposed my first doublet as my pirates doublet. Its red and goes well with the rest of the garb. We started as middle class about 5 years ago because we didn't want to be too presumptive by dressing as nobles and going to faire. Well then we joined cast 2 years ago and since we are nobles there, that is how we now go although we do have peasant, celtic, pirate and our middle class garb that we still wear depending on the occaision and weather when visiting other faires.
I started with the garb first and then found someplace to wear it.
I made a Flemish outfit using the instructions from Drea Leed's Elizabethan Costuming website.
http://www.elizabethancostume.net/lowerclass/makeflem.html
(http://www.karen.htmlcreators.com/ffkarenindutch202.jpg)
My first garb was a bodice bought at MDRF for $10, I believe I changed right in the middle of the faire somewhere, I was so excited (Before you get to scarred, I was a band geek and we know how to change in public and show nothing!!) The next year I went, I had made a fitted smock to wear under it and both over and underskirts to go with it. It is still currently in the wardrobe rotation. Not disposable in the least, but adaptable!
It seems to me that the idea of "throwaway garb" simply reflects an evolutionary phase some of us go through the more we get involved in faire. Initial ideas about character and presentation can change and grow over time. That perfect piece of garb may not work a few seasons later; a change in character traits could spark a need for new garb, or new garb could help create a new character. But the old stuff can still be useful.
I started out in peasant garb. It was easy and comfortable, and the character grew out of what I was wearing. But after a few years I wanted to try something new. This time I came up with the character first, a middle class rogue mercenary, and built the outfit around that. I'm doing the same thing with my pirate character, and still working on the garb for that. But I still have the original garb and still use it. Maybe the shirt can be worn one day with the mercenary garb, or the pirate can wear the peasant's pants. But usually it's reserved for when friends and family come to visit: "You'd like to go to the faire, but don't know what to wear? Don't worry, I've got something for you!"
Interesting responses from everyone. I started this thread because I'm technically in that starter phase, so I was trying to see how I fit in with everyone else. I went a different starting route, though - I got my stuff from Tudor Shoppe (stuff from Sofi's Stitches and some other labels). It's okay stuff, but clearly I'll want to move up the ladder at some point.
It's really curious to see everyone mention their characters. Admittedly, I consider myself to be a casual playtron, so I don't have a character developed. *shrug*
I bought high quality garb for my first garb since I instantly realized I would be attending faires for many years. I bought most my garb from the same vendor Potomac Leather Company/Wolfstone Kilt Company. A lot of it is leather so it will last me many years. Since I first went to a renaissance festival last summer this was all in the last year.
Regards,
CB
I guess proceeding from you first garb on, you just add or change what you have based on your perception of what your character may have/want/need. Some people's first forray into Garbing is something akin to a Hallowe'en costume, or another piece of reworked clothing.
Here is the earliest attempt I have a digital photo of:
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc164/RobertArmstrong/2004-08-21026.jpg)
That's me on the left. The renaissance shirt, vest and bracers were an okay first step. Notice the very period correct Request jeans.
Things change, personas morph. Here I am with a different look, I'm on the left again:
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc164/RobertArmstrong/07-09-18002.jpg)
Better bottom half, more accessories.
This is me in my third year of garbing:
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc164/RobertArmstrong/July2007026.jpg)
This look is pretty much complete, although it is going to be added to this year again.
Bear in mind, I am a little bit of a freak. I am not the type of person to slowly get into a pool using the step in the shalow end. I usually jump in with both feet, often from the highest diving board I can find.
First garb worn for the first time and looking a bit stiff and uncomfortable:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/HappyStamper/P5280123.jpg)
Same clothes season two with different acessories and having fun:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/HappyStamper/R0015656-cropped.jpg)
I still wear the purchased garb some days but I have sewn some things, too:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/HappyStamper/CindyLyonsideview.jpg)
My first garb was actually not intended for the renfest - my plan originally was to cosplay as my shaman from wow for halloween parties.
Well, for personal reasons, I missed them and could finally go to the festival. I adapted the costume by adding things and such to make it more troll-like, but it still came off very cosplay-ish. This year, I'm trying to be as realistic as a fantasy character can be.
Old garb: green velvet tabard, loincloth with fur, black belt, black suede fashion-y boots, mundane purse.
New garb: off-white dress (viking style tube-shape - hiked some and slashed on the side), green suede bodice/vest, black leather bracers, black suede minnetonkas, black ring belt with pouches as needed, baldric...possibly goat fur waist flaps if I feel arsed to make them, though they would be a good touch.
Quote from: theChuck on May 28, 2008, 11:48:26 PM
Interesting responses from everyone. I started this thread because I'm technically in that starter phase, so I was trying to see how I fit in with everyone else. I went a different starting route, though - I got my stuff from Tudor Shoppe (stuff from Sofi's Stitches and some other labels). It's okay stuff, but clearly I'll want to move up the ladder at some point.
It's really curious to see everyone mention their characters. Admittedly, I consider myself to be a casual playtron, so I don't have a character developed. *shrug*
I also don't have a character developed but I went from what you see in my avatar pic to my current project which is a noble gown with full underpinnings. I wanted a challenge and I definitely got one. I love the clothing of the era and want to wear gorgeous gowns that I really couldn't wear anywhere else. Also making it myself brings me joy :)
For me moving up is using more challenging techniques and using more historically looking fabrics and as much as possible natural fibers.
It's funny, but it seems I went backwards from a lot people. For me, moving up went from having to make my own garb to buying something. I don't sew very well, so for me it was a luxury to have someone else make something for me. And I haven't made the jump to being h/a yet either. I'm not sure if its a direction I'll ever go either. While have a great appreciation for those who put together h/a garb, I rather like a little fantasy and will probably stick with ren/medieval inspired instead.
For those that are curious:
My first garb:
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f41/serenamoonsilver/aurorame1.jpg)
My latest garb (from Greycat, before she closed up shop):
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f41/serenamoonsilver/Picture061.jpg)
QuoteIt's really curious to see everyone mention their characters. Admittedly, I consider myself to be a casual playtron, so I don't have a character developed. *shrug*
I don't "do" the character thing, either. My passion is just for the garb. I either fall in love with pieces (like my flaming orange chemise) and then look for ways to mix and match to go with it... or I fall in love with a "look" (on somebody else, or from period artwork, etc) and then build that. So I don't feel tied down to what my character would or wouldn't wear. If I like it, I wear it. And the mixing and matching of different pieces to get a whole new look is one of my favorite things about having a big collection.
Even though I sew, I still admire the handiwork of the artisans at Fair, so I sometimes will buy things that I could make--usually because the
fabric is amazing (if you can't find that stunning fabric, it doesn't matter how good your sewing skills are).
Quote from: gem on June 08, 2008, 04:45:55 PM
QuoteIt's really curious to see everyone mention their characters. Admittedly, I consider myself to be a casual playtron, so I don't have a character developed. *shrug*
I don't "do" the character thing, either. My passion is just for the garb. I either fall in love with pieces (like my flaming orange chemise) and then look for ways to mix and match to go with it... or I fall in love with a "look" (on somebody else, or from period artwork, etc) and then build that. So I don't feel tied down to what my character would or wouldn't wear. If I like it, I wear it. And the mixing and matching of different pieces to get a whole new look is one of my favorite things about having a big collection.
Even though I sew, I still admire the handiwork of the artisans at Fair, so I sometimes will buy things that I could make--usually because the fabric is amazing (if you can't find that stunning fabric, it doesn't matter how good your sewing skills are).
Here, Here. That's exactly how I feel ;D Well said
This is going back a ways!!!
It was the early 90's when the Earll and I , before we were exhalted into our ranks, were back attending the MNRF on a regular basis. We started out simply with what was available at the time....Flouncy shirts, belts, bracers, full skirts, and a bodice that would have been made for a Cinderella gown.
It was the late 90's when I observed how the Nobility dressed because that I was attracted to. After a lot of research, I was determined to recreate the era. By then, I was back working a the costume shop I helped start in the 80's full time redoing all of the Renaissance line. The rest is history.
My costume (I call it that because it wasn't really garb yet, ) evolved during my first season.
I had never been to Faire before I performed out there, so I was costuming from a theatre perspective. (I was hired to be a part of a stage act). I had worn plenty of corsets and long skirts in all the Shakespearean plays I've done, so I went a different route. I was supposed to be a fairy, so I wore a leotard, tights, and a tiny chiffon overdress. Which was a fantastic stage costume, but not really appropriate for outdoors.
Then a couple of things happened- I got injured, and it started to get cold (It was in the 90's the first weekend, down to the 40's by the last.) So, I added tie-on sleeves and an underskirt, and built a really warm cape. I went from a straw sunhat to a veil and parasol.
A few things I learned: dance tights disintigrate combined with bug spray
dance shoes don't mix well with woodchips
leotards don't mix well with privys
Someone else said that modular pieces are very useful, and I agree. I also think it's useful if you're attending every day it's very nice to be able to switch out your sweaty base layers.
My first "costume" was a partial costume as I was taken to this weird thing called a Ren Faire...
borrowed shirt, and belt, purchased a sporran, and wore knee moccasins, all covered with a HOT cloak. That was in 1989.
...after 19 years, I make a new Doublet almost every year, and make a new shirt every other, and leggings as they wear out...
...beyond that I just exchange assessories, and add bits depending upon location, and weather, and "Time period"
(cloak and gauntlets if colder and wetter, chain mail for earlier time periods, different swords, etc, etc...)
I think evolution in the garb sense can apply on different axises, depending on what you are at fair for . . .
So, for me:
1993 -- CKC garb (MNRF staff garb, baggy green tie at the knees pants, gigantic shirt, orange sack hat)
1994 -- Monk robe, homemade (the wife), reasonably accurate fabric and color, basic knotted rope belt.
1995 -- same
1996 -- started wearing a great kilt, using a modern kilt belt.
1997-2008 -- basically the same, got another shirt or two (one homemade, one ebay), got a knew 4" kilt-belt, other accessories. Then occasionally with a basic pirate garb (baggy pants, same big shirts, big hat).
The kilt has been the most versatile of all my costuming, I can wear it in any weather, I can dress it up or down. So, my evolution, in this sense, is done.
That said, I'd love to have a full aristocrat garb, or one of Felix Needleworthy's cotehardies or one of the Irish swords from Arms and Armor . . .
but, it isn't something I am willing to sacrifice for, so, it is unlikely to happen.
I love reading about how all of you started with your garb! As you describe it, you are also describing your first faire experience! What a great thread! So...my turn I guess:)
Four of us girls were all doing it together. We played at fair for 10 years before we got serious and joined a guild. Our garb was tossed together from borrowed pieces, very bad patterns and no patterns at all. Some of us sewed and some of us learned as we went. Our fabric came from sheets (very cheap fabric), GoodWill dresses, old coats and just about anything that struck our fancy. It would all get cannablized for garb. We were peasants, so who cared if it was frayed, or stained!
But now we are guildies and want to look more h/a so we are actually spending money on our garb. Good fabric....sometimes a pattern....and most importantly...a plan! I just finished my first set of middles and I love it.
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z53/vgaloosh/garb0008.jpg)
I am not wearing the sleeves for the heat. They are removable and you can see the green ties are there. I have them tied behind my back. They are Spanish Split sleeves with a forest green velvet cuff and matching trim. As Mistress of My Ladies Wardrobe, I get scraps from her gowns and I can wear bits in my garb.
Reading this makes me so excited to wear my first garb, and see how it evolves through time.
My first garb was a Museum Replicas dress I purchased online from By The Sword. I decided if I was going, I was going in garb. Very basic, chemise/gown with an empire bodice.
Since then, my "moving up" has consisting of ever ending additions to my ren wardrobe: multiple bodices and skirts, chemises in various colors and styles, overdresses, footwear, belts, pouches, etc. The more I buy (I do not sew), the more possible combos I am able to put together. It's possible for me to not repeat an ensemble for 3-4 years simply because of the size of my wardrobe. I get all of my garb from Ebay.
I've built my garb wardrobe from quite a few pieces found on Ebay, and have scored some really great deals!
FWIW, I'm going on roughly a decade with the same basic gear. :) The only changes made have been additions.
(http://home.comcast.net/~douglashillman/renn3.jpg)
I think my very first year I didn't have boots, so I wrapped my lower legs and wore a pair of suede steel-toed work boots. Picked up a pair of cheap fringed calf-high moccasin boots soon though. Cut the fringe off, etched & patinaed the grommety things with acid and wrapped the tops with some scrap leather. They look great, and (no disrespect intended since they make great products which I'll likely soon avail myself of for my next outfit) don't scream out, "I'm wearing Sandler!" like half the other folks do. :)
A year or so after that I added the tunic and the jerkin.
Everything else is the exact same stuff I made in '97 or so.
Of course, while there's alot going on here, the base of my costume is all pretty basic. Peasant woodsman archer sorta thingy. So there's nothing that really needed upgrading. I've been mulling over making some leather pants, but I sorta like the green ones I've got. They look great after 10 years of dust & dirt & rain & sun & spills & whatnot. :)
I'm about to make a fancy new nobleman's outfit to match a nice new noblewoman's outfit (only fair since she made a beautiful sorta medievaly "Maid Marion" dress to complement me last year. :) ) but I don't consider it moving up. Just adding another option to the closet. I've also got a swordsman's outfit that I made 5 - 6 years ago.
If you are able to take your time and do it "right" the first time, you'll never need to "move up." But if your sewing skills or finances limit what you can do, no big deal. You can always add, subtract, modify or replace as you go. Getting started in the first place is the important thing. :)
As far as buying or making it goes, I make it all. I'm a stickler for having things exactly how I want them, so store bought's not really an option for me when it comes to this stuff. (I made everything in that picture, including the quiver, bow & arrows.) And the cost difference is significant as well. So it just makes sense for me to make exactly what I want rather than spend more money on something that's probably not gonna be exactly what I want.