This is a bit of a mishmash, but I like it and its very comfortable.
I made the hat recently from a pattern that I bought years ago. I bought the shirt at the Highland Games in Washington state several years ago from a vendor whose name I don't remember. I got the purse and belt from Goodwill, and added the metal circle to the bag (metal piece also from Goodwill). And last, but most certainly not least, these fabulous pants were made by a quilt buddy of mine who made them and had only used them once. She kindly gave them to me and I love them!!! I added the off white trim to the lower hems of the pants, which I think adds just the little extra oomph that the pants needed.
This outfit is so very comfortable, and I hope the Ren Faires will let me vend in this rather than require a gown. I love them so much that I plan to make another pair of pants like this in another color so that I have some variety. And more shirts ... definitely more shirts. I figure with these pants, I can add a ruffled, large-sleeved shirt, and a tricorn hat and I'll look like a pirate.
I'm traveling next week to Spokane, WA, to visit friends. While there, I'll attend an Adrian Empire event (similar to the SCA). This is what I plan to wear.
Wheeee!!! On to the next outfit ... ;D
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b85/GreyhoundMama/myrenoutfit_zps9a84085f.jpg)
If you are going to anything Adrian Empire, I would highly suggest a long skirt, at the least. Unlike some Renaissance Festivals, groups like the Adrian Empire and the SCA tend to call for an attempt for authenticity. If you are dead set on pants and a shirt, I would suggest tucking the shirt in and getting a doublet.
Thanks. :)
The Adrian group I'm going to is very small and friendly. I used to play with them and this'll be fine with them. My SCA group is huge, and probably would not be.
On the other hand, I do like doublets. :)
Quite a few ladies adopt a male persona for their garb just so that they can wear pants and doublets. I'm afraid that expectations being what they are, you'll have to put your hair up and wear the hat. Then you'll have to maintain the 'male' persona.
But most faires won't let you vend as a "female" unless you wear female attaire.
I love it!!! Well done, Gryff! ;D You look smashing.
Thanks gem! ;D I so very rarely think I look good, that I was thrilled to find something that seemed to work aesthetically.
I guess now I have to figure out how to adjust things so its authentic and/or female, for the ren faires. I'm more than happy to dress in male clothes for a game (many of us do, especially in combat and archery), but I'm not willing to adopt a male persona for my art booth.
At least I know that my Adrian group welcomes me in this garb. I posted it to facebook and all of them think its adorable. They rock!!! So I can at least wear it when I visit them in Spokane.
Anyway. So, let's say I love the hat (which I do). What would best go with that hat for a female outfit? Quite frankly, I'm finding the amount of information completely overwhelming, and so-called renaissance clothing places show all kinds of things that you guys say aren't authentic, so I don't know where to turn. A skirt, chemise and bodice? How about an underdress with one of the sideless surcoats that laces up the sides? I can't go noble as a vendor, so it has to stay middle class or a little lower I think.
I'm so confused. As an artist I abstract things. My work is conceptual, not literal. Its hard for me to think and create in a literal fashion, and the amount of research involved is daunting. My insecurity about not having a cute, female body anymore (bilateral mastectomy - no reconstruction) and foot problems that impact what shoes I can wear, are really getting in the way of simply picking an outfit and running with it. Quite frankly, in the years since my mastectomy, this is the cutest I think I've looked. To find out that I can't wear it is, quite frankly, really depressing. :(
FWIW, I think your outfit is adorable! And I saw that you will be a guest vendor at MDRF (my home faire). I can tell you from being a playtron and boothie there, you can wear just about anything you want as a vendor. That outfit will be just fine! When I work in a shop, I tailor my outfit to the types of things we are selling. Example: working in the leather shop, I wear pirate-y type garb; working in the fancy shop, I wear my hoop skirt and satins and such. With you vending quilts, I think that outfit will be perfect.
Now, if you did want to wear something else, I would recommend a kirtle. Gem and crew can explain them better, but I have seen some that are super comfy, low to no boning and flattering on any figure. Like this from our own Centuries Sewing (she's awesome)
http://centuries-sewing.com/tag/kirtle/ (http://centuries-sewing.com/tag/kirtle/)
Serenity, thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You don't know how much that helps!!! I went to the MD ren festival last year (as a visitor) and that was my impression ... that vendors wore a variety of outfits, some not at all authentic. I'm doing Virginia too, which asks that women wear a skirt and blouse. I haven't seen specific guidelines yet from Maryland, but was hoping I could be more creative with it. I know cast members have to be very exacting, but I'm hoping there are places where artists can take liberties.
I think some of the A&S ladies in the local SCA group have kirtles. Last month I began hosting a monthly sewing circle in order to learn more about it. They're very helpful, but I have SO much to learn if I'm ever going to have accurate outfits. Maybe I should do some faerie festivals or something where I can let my creativity really loose!!! LOL
I can't speak at all to vendor dress codes, but if you want something that feels a little more "feminine" (whatever that means! LOL), how about a waist cincher? You get the fun of a bodice, without the emphasis on the bust, plus the illusion of a narrow waistline is very girly. :) Here's my MIL in the one I made for her (and her pirate kit!):
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/17691164/397084340.jpg)
I didn't use a pattern for it, just went by her waist measurements and made it a little wider in front. IIRC, hers laces both front and back, and there's lightweight boning at each lacing edge, just to keep it from crumpling during wear. The "pattern" (sketched up after the fact b/c I could not find one online anywhere) looks like this (http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/4707019/311197155.jpg). I made it reversible, which I recommend b/c you have to line it anyway and might as well get two different looks out of it! MIL, at 71, loves to dress up but doesn't really go in for the Wench Look, if you know what I mean! So this was a perfect way for her to have something fun like a bodice, but not. Also a bonus: It takes practically no fabric at all. This was cobbled together from those oddly-shaped scraps you get from cutting other things out.
Lots more waist-cincher inspiration here (https://www.google.com/search?q=renaissance+waist+cincher&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=0wr&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=TQUxUcrcM_Do2gXZ-4DwBQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1067&bih=688#imgrc=SGgQpbBuXfG0UM%3A%3BWhnH4pWYaZxg_M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimg0.etsystatic.com%252F000%252F0%252F6292257%252Fil_570xN.273098684.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.etsy.com%252Flisting%252F82397448%252Frenaissance-leather-waist-cincher%3B507%3B800). :D
(Might be a good way to show off some of your fun quilt fabrics!)
Oh, gem, those waist cinchers are wonderful! I bet they'd cause the shirt to poof at just the right place to deal with my, er, problem area! So, if I wear a shirt, a cincher, and a skirt I'm authentic something? I do think that would be a lot more flattering on me than a true bodice. I love the way the stiff bodices look in the renaissance period, but I don't like what they do for me. I don't know whether they're authentic, but I've been lusting after the Moresca Max II. OMG, they are stunning. I can't even begin to afford one, but perhaps as time goes by, and especially if I lose some weight, perhaps I can spring for one. The fabrics, the way they go below the waist, the finishing work ... I just love them. I think I can figure out how to make something like that, but I don't want to make the investment in time and fabric until I know if it'll work for me. The cincher, on the other hand, is easy and takes little in the way of fabric. THANKS!!!
I also have a gorgeous piece of leather that would make a nice cincher for cooler weather. I really hope I get to attend a pirate day somewhere. I could really get behind that idea!!! ;)
Quote from: GryffinSong on March 01, 2013, 02:23:30 PM
Oh, gem, those waist cinchers are wonderful! I bet they'd cause the shirt to poof at just the right place to deal with my, er, problem area! So, if I wear a shirt, a cincher, and a skirt I'm authentic something?
No. Waist cinchers first came on to the fashion scene in the 1860s. Even then, they were worn over a corset and shirt. It's just what some people wear to the renn fair. It's not accurate.
Ok, thanks. :)
I was thinking about this whole thing today and its funny. In childhood, we're all taught to follow the rules, color inside the lines, conform to society. And then, as artists, we have to learn to break the rules, go our own way, color outside the lines and find our own style. The struggle for me, now, is that entering this world of historical accuracy means I need to find a balance between my "artistic way" and the accuracy needed to fit in as a renaissance artist/vendor. A philosophical quandary. ;)
I'll figure it out, and really appreciate everyone's input. There's a faerie festival nearby, but it conflicts with the VA Ren Faire, so I can't go to that this year. Perhaps next year they won't conflict and I can really let myself go on garb for that event. Although, I have to admit, wings are a little beyond my comfort zone. ;D
Gryffin, you need to decide how YOU WANT to look, and it sounds like you have enough events to go to where a variety of looks will really suit your needs.
It can be really fun and rewarding to do a historically accurate ensemble. To do that, you need to firmly commit to a period, region, and social class (such as "mid-Sixteenth Century English merchant class," or "late Sixteenth Century Venetian noble"); do your research (portrait research, read other people's construction diaries, draw your own informed conclusions, etc); and concentrate on using period-available fabrics and notions (or modern analogues that can be adapted) and good fitting techniques to achieve the most "authentic" period silhouette you can. The accomplished seamstresses in your SCA group will be a tremendous resource for you here, as are the links Isabella provided in the Sewing forum.
...It can also be fun and relaxing to put together a purely imaginative Fairwear look, made of pieces whose only era and region is "Early twenty-first century Renfair." ;D There are some incredibly inspiring Fairwear artists out there--Moresca is one; the place where Mink bought her "pirate chemise" is another (can't recall the name, but they're at KCRF, and their stuff is WAY OUT THERE and GORGEOUS.) Here, the only "restrictions" are your own creativity. We have an ongoing thread where we celebrate Fairwear (http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php/topic,7813.0.html), and I encourage you to browse through that and check out all the looks our forum members have been rockin' over the years.
...It can ALSO be fun to combine the two--do things that are a little bit historically inspired, a little bit Fairwear. The pirate look is a good example of this--historically inspired frock coats and tricorn hats... but pure fantasy in the execution (the so-called "Golden Age of Piracy" that inspires many of these looks was about 100 years after the Renaissance, although there have been pirates as long as and everywhere people have sailed on the ocean).
But it's up to you. I think you're getting confused at the moment, with information overload. You want ALL the garb, and you want it all NOW! ;D You have a great starter outfit--huzzah!! Wear it with pride to your next event. Then maybe make a plan about where you want to go from here.
---What are your upcoming events? What will the venue requirements and weather requirements be?
--What pieces do you currently have that you can use for those venues?
--What pieces can you add, to either make the ensemble more "accurate," more "feminine," or just more fun? (I think a couple of brightly colored peasant skirts and the waist cincher would be a great combination for the venue where you need to wear a skirt and blouse...and you'll have added to the versatility of your current kit with just a couple simple pieces. Eventually you may also want a cloak--not an "accurate" piece for most of the Renaissance [people wore coats], but certainly a time-honored Fair tradition.)
--What would a good next ensemble be? Do you want to try a historical look? You've already started with the sideless surcoat; why not keep going in that direction, researching other 14th and 15th century looks? If it helps, you can develop a character for yourself; as a quilter perhaps you'd like to portray a seamstress of the era. Let that guide your research. What would be practical clothing for such a role? What accessories would you need?
...And so on. :) This is a wonderful hobby, and you can get in just as deeply as you want... but it's also ok to have just a few pieces that make YOU feel like you're in the Fair spirit. As long as you're meeting the requirements of your particular venue or event (as a vendor or as an SCA member, etc), you can't go wrong, no matter what anybody tells you. Promise.
HAVE FUN.
Thanks, gem!!! You put it all in perspective. I do keep coming back to the fact that this has to be fun, and the various historical periods and countries makes it very confusing at first. I'm going to follow your advice at first, building on what I have, adding a basic skirt, and working toward a fabric and design for a sideless that'll please me.
I'm taking an SCA class at the end of the month in Middle Eastern garb. For the SCA, it is, so far, my all-time favorite style, and I've borrowed a complete outfit for an SCA event before. I've never noticed Middle Eastern at faire, and would like to have several styles to choose from. So Middle Eastern might be my fav for the SCA this year. Some varient of this current outfit for my Adrian friends, who are very lax on accuracy, and simple skirt, blouse, with additions for vending at Virginia.
That sounds like a lot, but if I take it a piece at a time, I can plan to get it all done over this coming year, rather than overwhelming myself with too much to do.
I think I will first make a linen skirt. I have several linens, one of which I don't totally love. I'll use that one as my experiment. If it works out, I'll cut into my other linens. That should give me what I need for Virginia. Meanwhile, I'll keep learning.
Definitely the high renaissance nobility stuff is WAY in my future, if at all. Anything that takes that much time uses time I'd rather spend on my artwork.
Thanks again everyone! This is very helpful!!!
Next up ...
I went shopping today for quilting fabrics and checked out the $5 bin at the quilt store. This is quality quilting cotton (as opposed to cheap Joann stuff), and I figure at this price I can afford to try it and see if I like the idea. I found a nice, subtle stripe that I like and there was nearly four yards left on the bolt. Close up I can tell that its a contemporary print. But even from as little as five feet away, it just looks like a subtle moss green stripe. So. I'm going to make a simple gathered skirt. The fabric looks awesome with my hat and an off white shirt, so it'll be a basic next step and give me some options with my wardrobe. I'm going to try to make it this weekend. I'm washing the fabric for a second time right now, because cotton sometimes shrinks up a bit over time. Wish me luck!!! ;D
I need to take you shopping, don't I, Gryffin? ;) ;) BTW, have you signed up for the Joann's mailers? Or for any of the Fabric dot com emails? If not, do so NOW. You can come back and read in a bit. The reason is that they almost always include either deals or coupons. For Joanns, you will get at least a 40% any cut of fabric every couple of weeks. Most of the time, it's a coupon for 50% off and, often, you'll end up with multiple coupons. This means that $20 a yard silk that they have? Is suddenly $10 a yard silk. It makes the correct fabrics very affordable. (Or, at least, the closer to correct fabrics)
Most of the superwalmarts around us also have fabric departments again. Do you know the one up right off of 198 near 295? That one has a pretty impressive collection of fabrics that are $2 a yard. Great for mock ups. There is also a Hobby Lobby just down the street from it. And, if you go a mile down 198, there is the most awesome thrift store ever. I've bought stuff from there just to take apart and rework into garb.
I would suggest not wearing the quilting cotton to any SCA events. If it was a plain - ie no pattern whatsoever- it would probably be okay but even a slight design can scream "modern" to someone far away who has been studying this for a few years. For the renn fair, I'm sure it's fine.
HAHAHA, I'm always up for fabric shopping!!! ;D
Yes, I'm on the Joann's list, and in addition I have their additional discount card because I'm in a quilt guild.
I actually have several pieces of good, period fabric, but I'm afraid to cut into them until I know for certain what I want. I have a gorgeous medium weight 100% linen in teal. I have a huge piece of the really luscious linen that drapes so beautifully ... a soft off-white and taupe stripe. Johanna (A&S guru from SCA Storvik) has seen it and loves it. Even asked if I had extra if I'd be willing to trade some to her. I have a boatload of a linen/cotton blend that I don't care for. Too stiff.
I wanted something inexpensive, but still a good enough quality to wear, to play around with for my first skirt. And, yes, this is for ren, not SCA. I picture it as one of my vending outfits. Light, breezy, less wrinkle-prone than linen. And it looks totally awesome with my hat. ;)
What I'm a complete noob about is historical accuracy in clothing. I was in Adria for two years, but we had a huge mix of HA folks and very loosy-goosy folks when it came to garb. So I never put in the study to be HA. I focused on heraldry and archery. I bought a wooden, hand-made longbow, and custom arrows with natural fletching, and I painted my arms on a shield for my tent. Stuff like that interested me very much. I also created a rich background for my persona. I've also been in Storvik (SCA) for probably a year or so. I've attended several A&S meetings where folks were doing all their sewing by hand. I can't do that due to tendonitis. So I've been trying to learn, but I haven't been to a lot of events, and was too busy in "real life" to get excited and educated about making garb. Being accepted into the ren faires has pushed garb-making to the top of my list. Comparing Adria to SCA is very interesting. Adria is much more accurate in terms of combat. They do live steel combat, and in archery we always had natural arrows, usually custom made. In the SCA, I see neon colored arrow fletchings and padded swords. But when it comes to garb its the other way around. Much more focus on historical accuracy in the SCA, at least comparing my two groups. Oh, we had plenty of Adrians who were accurate, don't get me wrong. But we also had a huge and active pirate crew, a House of gypsies, and several folks who simply couldn't afford more than one cheap dress. As long as one made an effort, and didn't actually wear blue jeans, we accepted anything. Newbies would often wear black jeans and a tunic and call it a day.