I'm thinking of heading to Joann's later and getting a length of gold colored cord w/tassels on the ends to tie around my waist & hang stuff off of if I can find it for that green dress you see me wearing in my avatar...would this be considered period? Or do you guys think I should try & find or make one of those jeweled type things (not sure what they're called) that do the same thing?
I think it is fine, but.........I did the gold cord and it lasted one day! It kept coming untied and it would not even hold a 'knot'!
If you had enough money to buy gold, you would have had a jeweled girdle, not one made of rope. Rope belts were used by the same social class as they are today. ;-)
There are several sellers on etsy that have some lovely jeweled girdles for sale. Like this one (http://www.etsy.com/listing/69811626/black-and-white-medieval-celtic-silver?ref=sr_list_5&ga_search_query=girdle+renaissance&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade) and very few of them are expensive. Save yourself the frustration of making it yourself, buying the supplies, and just spend $25 on etsy.
isih is right...gold cold won't last long at all.
look here (http://www.etsy.com/listing/61132268/golden-sun-tudor-girdle-belt?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=gold+girdle&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade)
Sapphire & Sage has nice stuff, but it is pricey.
M'Lady 9and I :( ) scour any goddwill, salvation army type stores for their jewelry and have found a lot of bracelets and necklaces and belts that make great girdles.
I am with Gauwyn, savers is your best friend. They get some really long necklaces in there that would be a pitch to turn into a girlde. We tried a gold cord and I believe thats how a fan got broken, the knot kept slipping loose and it got stepped on =(
I used a gold cord and necklace combo for my first girdle and the necklace broke but the cord was fine- LOL! I don't actually hang anything off of my girdle, though with the corded one, I could have. With the cord one I never had an issue with it coming untied but it was probably how I had it knotted. The cord was basically a large loop that I closed, wrapped around my waist (so I had two cords, not one) tied and pulled the long end through the bottom of the loop. Does that make ANY sense in writing? So anyway, if that is all you have time for it WILL work but if you can, I would get something ready made and "pretty." =) Good luck on your search!
Thanks all! You're making me think now :D Unfortunately don't have a lot of money to spare so I guess that narrows things down a bit...but I'll check out those links & Savers too. Another few questions...Did they wear sandals back then & would those Croc type shoes also work for my "peasant" outfit?
Sandals, yes; crocs, never.
Mary Janes were very popular in the Renaissance (http://www.festiveattyre.com/research/florentine/flor21.html)
Mules were also popular (http://www.festiveattyre.com/research/florentine/flor6.html) (I've seen mules at walmart for $3 in red velvet)
http://www.larsdatter.com/shoes.htm
I have a pair of granny boots and I was wondering the same thing.
They look kind of like these ->http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.112289801.jpg
but one solid piece and a bit more ...organic? looking.
Quote from: Becky10 on April 01, 2011, 08:45:11 PM
I have a pair of granny boots and I was wondering the same thing.
They look kind of like these ->http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.112289801.jpg
but one solid piece and a bit more ...organic? looking.
Nope, but good for Victorian and very awesome for steampunk.
Quote from: The Lady Mercedes on April 01, 2011, 06:03:44 PM
Thanks all! You're making me think now :D Unfortunately don't have a lot of money to spare so I guess that narrows things down a bit...but I'll check out those links & Savers too.
Hardware stores often sell "silver" and "gold" chain by the yard, of different sizes and executions. From my experience these are most affordable, and they are of good quality too.
Found these (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Faded-Glory-Women-s-April-Gladiator-Sandals/15149350) at Wal-mart...pretty rennie? Or are these (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Earth-Spirit-Women-s-Magnolia-Strappy-Sandals/15148806) better? And thanks for the advice isabelladangelo and operafantomet!
The first ones are better. However, as a noble woman, you'd probably be wearing something more like
this Mary Jane (http://www.costumes4less.com/Sassie-09,-Velvet-Maryjane-Canvas-Shoes_PSAS09B_Prod.aspx?utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=cpc&utm_terms=psas09b). Nobles wouldn't want dirt upon their feet and would wear stockings and good shoes to prevent that. ;)
At most faires the terrain is rather rough so open toe shoes leave you open to things like rocks, stickers, fire ant bits, splinters from mulch, stinging nettles, fire ant bits.....
Renboots carries a Mary Jane that is similar to what Dreamshoes used to make.
(http://www.renboots.com/Shoes/mary_jane/mj_forest.jpg)
Quote from: isabelladangelo on April 02, 2011, 08:23:31 AM
The first ones are better. However, as a noble woman, you'd probably be wearing something more like
this Mary Jane (http://www.costumes4less.com/Sassie-09,-Velvet-Maryjane-Canvas-Shoes_PSAS09B_Prod.aspx?utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=cpc&utm_terms=psas09b). Nobles wouldn't want dirt upon their feet and would wear stockings and good shoes to prevent that. ;)
I actually have a pair of brown strapless mary janes I plan on wearing, so the sandals would be for my "peasant" outfit but those are cute...thanks for the link!
Quote from: DonaCatalina on April 02, 2011, 09:31:02 AM
At most faires the terrain is rather rough so open toe shoes leave you open to things like rocks, stickers, fire ant bits, splinters from mulch, stinging nettles, fire ant bits.....
Renboots carries a Mary Jane that is similar to what Dreamshoes used to make.
(http://www.renboots.com/Shoes/mary_jane/mj_forest.jpg)
Yea those kinda match my dress! lol
Mary Janes always squarsh my feet (this is what i get for wearing nothing but sandals for 8+ years)
I am trying to find something that doesn't bug em terribly or the whole HA is just going to go out the window foot wise.
Quote from: Becky10 on April 02, 2011, 07:23:36 PM
Mary Janes always squarsh my feet (this is what i get for wearing nothing but sandals for 8+ years)
I am trying to find something that doesn't bug em terribly or the whole HA is just going to go out the window foot wise.
Have you tried actual canvas ballet slippers? Like, the ones dancers use? They come in a variety of widths, from narrow to broad. If you find a pair you like, you could dye (=spray) them and put proper soles on them. If you remove the elastics and put a mock strap on instead, you'll have comfortable and very period looking shoes.
I don't know how allegorical this is (looks quite everyday to me), but here's a depiction of two weavers from ca. 1509 Italy. One is wearing "Mary Janes" and one is wearing sandals:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/siena/pinturicchiosiena1509.jpg
They would per definition be working women, of course, I just wanted to share an example of both being in use.
I found one that's perfect (http://www.etsy.com/listing/71710804/emerald-and-gold-tudor-girdle-belt?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=Girdle&ga_noautofacet=1&ga_order=price_asc&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade)!
it is pretty, and the pendant is unique.
Thanks! I can't wait to order then get my hands on it! ;D
I'm coming late to the discussion, but here's an interesting Italian painting c.1520:
http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/yourgarb/2009/Katherine-Baptist.jpg
It's hard to tell precisely what her belt/sash is made of, but it definitely has cordlike qualities to it. Other costumers think it's more likely to be a length of narrow fabric.
Quote from: gem on May 12, 2011, 08:15:39 PM
I'm coming late to the discussion, but here's an interesting Italian painting c.1520:
(http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/yourgarb/2009/Katherine-Baptist.jpg)
It's hard to tell precisely what her belt/sash is made of, but it definitely has cordlike qualities to it. Other costumers think it's more likely to be a length of narrow fabric.
One of the costumer's who does reenactments at Buckingham palace said that anyone under the rank of Duchess was more likely to wear a girdle made of a rolled length of silk fabric. Take that for what its worth...I don't even remember her name now.
Silk fabric? Never would've thought of that one! :o
Regarding shoes... Lady Dacre got her current one's on clearance at K-mart.
Leather (or leather-like) mary-janes.... We are on our feet most of the day, (Southern's court is "on" as long as the Queen is out which is most of the day), with Court Dancing (which is mostly up and down), progress, stage, etc... She is pretty comfortable in hers...
Esp with the dust at Southern (Remember with all the foot traffic our lanes our pretty much dust), you'll be happier with a closed toe shoe!