My wife and I are finally starting to buy costume pieces for our local faire.
Does anyone know of a good costumer in the Tampa Bay area that is good?
Also a particular need is footwear for me. I'm an 11(us) EEE. In most cases I've found, online costume shoe sellers don't cater much to the hobbit foot sort like myself. The vendors at the fair have to put me in a size 13 in order to get the proper width. But I'm not gonna drop $200+ on shoes that sorta fit.
Any help would be much appreciated.
There are a LOT of places that will do custom shoes to your foot - however, it will cost you. My boots were created for me back in 2002 and I still wear them at least once a month (they aren't very practical in the summer since they are fur lined). They cost me $550 then but, they are created for your foot, in the colors and style you want, and they last forever. I'm not sure if any of the custom places happen to be in Florida - I know mainly of those in England and in the mid-Atlantic area- but you can call up other places to see if they have an 11 EEE last and would be willing to work with you.
Or, if you just want something not obviously modern that might work:
http://www.shoebuy.com/florsheim-berkley/13398/108705 (http://www.shoebuy.com/florsheim-berkley/13398/108705)
http://www.shoebuy.com/lb-evans-admiral/261255/556541 (http://www.shoebuy.com/lb-evans-admiral/261255/556541)
http://www.shoebuy.com/johnston-murphy-deerfield-wing/22583/22583 (http://www.shoebuy.com/johnston-murphy-deerfield-wing/22583/22583)
http://www.shoebuy.com/hush-puppies-lockout-chukka-pl/593052/1221664 (http://www.shoebuy.com/hush-puppies-lockout-chukka-pl/593052/1221664)
Most of them are more for "fancy" garb than peasant but I'm sure there are a ton more that could work.
I am looking more for a soft short boot , peasant style. Thanks for the advice.
That last link she posted might fit the bill:
(http://www.shoebuy.com/pi/wolve/wolve593052_4593_jb.jpg)
And if you tinker around with the site, you can get it to show you only boots in EEE. (I had done that earlier & meant to post the link, but had to reboot my browser. Alas, I don't have time ATM to fetch it again. But there was a reasonable selection of modern work boots and other things that would pass for period at Fair. Also one pair of motorcycle-type ones that would work for a pirate kit.)
Have you considered making them yourself?
There are a few patterns out there for medieval 'turnshoes' and 'wrap boots' that just involves you cutting out the leather and making a couple of very short seams by lacing together. When I have time I make my own ghillies (about 2-3 hours) then take them to the local shoe repair shop to have soles sewn on.
Guaranteed to fit, since they are soft and made to order by you! The added plus is that they are period.
Honestly no I haven't considered making my own, frankly I just don't have the time. Ren Faire is an escape from the 50-60 hour work weeks or real life and we just want to have a nice time. I'll buy someone else's hard work.