Okay,
As the faire-season draws nearer.. I am reminded of why I should of saved money all winter! The need for more garb... and other ren-sorts.
I am in the market for a female hat..pirate of sorts, but I don't think I want to go tri-corn.. I need something feminine, maybe a good cavalier style or something I can cute up. My problem is.. funding. I need something durable and not way too high in price, as I would intend to add all sorts of accessories, feathers, ribbons, ect to the hat itself. (Not H/A of course)
Which brings me to my next area of question, in past seasons of Faire I have pretty much clung to the wench look. But this year I find myself inching out a bit towards pirate/wench, even pirate captain.. so I am needing some good boots. Preferrably knee-high. However, two things have stopped me from ordering offline.. funding and my calves. Buxom as I am, my calves just are too thick for regular boots that I've stumbled across online. I'm looking for something simple, black and comfortable. Any ideas? Online merchants?
Thanks in advance! I know, I know - I'm pushing close to Ren Season and am a bit short on time to throw together a whole new outfit.
just an idea but you can pick up some engineer boots "biker boots pretty cheap and they come in different heights. you can even go to your local biker or harley dealer to try a pair out. ebay and the sportsmansguide have them pretty cheap.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=290980
Since you have such Buxom Calves, have you ever thought of a pair of Lace up the back boots. To experiment with a comfy less expensive pair of boots all you would need to do is split them down the back and then use a good leather glue like Barges leather cement to adhere a thicker support piece to each side of the split. Then apply gromments (use the good heavy duty ones large size too about 1/2 or 3/4 inch) and lace them with a bold fabric sash to match your outfit. If you need leather pieces for the bolstering of the sides just ren mail me your addy and I'll mail you some, tons of scraps here for the wanting :D
Quote from: LadyOren on March 22, 2009, 08:04:00 AM
Since you have such Buxom Calves, have you ever thought of a pair of Lace up the back boots. To experiment with a comfy less expensive pair of boots all you would need to do is split them down the back and then use a good leather glue like Barges leather cement to adhere a thicker support piece to each side of the split. Then apply gromments (use the good heavy duty ones large size too about 1/2 or 3/4 inch) and lace them with a bold fabric sash to match your outfit. If you need leather pieces for the bolstering of the sides just ren mail me your addy and I'll mail you some, tons of scraps here for the wanting :D
What a fantastic idea to salvage a tight pair of boots AND add your own personal flair to the whole ensemble. Love it!!!
Wow - those are both great ideas!
I think I am going to get my hands onto a nice pair of low-heel boots and try that splitting and grommeting! Wow, never thought about that! And laced with a sash to match my outfit? Perfect-o!
:D I knew I came looking for answers in the right place!
I had problems finding boots for Civil War reenacting. They don't make men's shoes my size (really small!). I looked every where; online, eBay, Wal-Mart, you name it! I was at the local goodwill and looked in the shoe section. I found two, TWO, pair of women's boots that were perfect! Bought them for $14! Now I'm going to use one pair with my garb. Never know where you'll find the perfect accessory!
I love the split the back of the boot idea!
For the hat, have you thought about making one? I don't know how good your sewing skills are, so I don't know if you've considered it. I found simple directions online and made my own cavelier hat when I needed one for a show I was in a few years ago. It only took a couple of hours to sew up, and I think it ended up being around $20 for all the materials (it was a few years ago, so I can't remember exactly. I know it was no more than $30). I made it out of felt, stiffened w/buckram and craft wire in the brim. If you go that route, just make sure you use a thin material for the lining, not the felt, or it won't fit. I made that mistake. >.<
I second the thrift store idea for boots! I have gotten so many pairs of costume shoes/boots at thrift stores for really cheap.
Quote from: LadyOren on March 22, 2009, 08:04:00 AM
Since you have such Buxom Calves, have you ever thought of a pair of Lace up the back boots. To experiment with a comfy less expensive pair of boots all you would need to do is split them down the back and then use a good leather glue like Barges leather cement to adhere a thicker support piece to each side of the split. Then apply gromments (use the good heavy duty ones large size too about 1/2 or 3/4 inch) and lace them with a bold fabric sash to match your outfit. If you need leather pieces for the bolstering of the sides just ren mail me your addy and I'll mail you some, tons of scraps here for the wanting :D
I was going to recommend this same thing, then I saw your post.
I did this a few years ago for a woman at my home faire. I didn't split the seam all the way to the bottom of the boot, I took it to right about the bottom of where her calf would be. then did basically the same thing that Lady Oren did, only I stitched the leather support on, (also had to refinish the original seam into a clean finished edge.) I used 1/4 inch grommets. Since I laced up the back with leather cording, I didn't want the larger gommets. I wanted as little there to potentaily dig into the back of her leg as possible.
For about a year after, every time she saw me, she thanked me telling me how comfortable the boots now are.
Its really easy to do, and well worth the evening it takes (if your stiching instead of glueing) if you already have a pair of boots you like.
I saw some Cavalier hats and also tricorns on Ebay for $35 plus shipping. They are felt, but definitely have the potential for decorating. The hat in my profile was purchased on Ebay a few years ago for $20. It was a felt hat blank, and I sewed the sides up myself. You can't see it in the picture, but I purchased feathers from Michael's and have decorated it with several pins.
Thank you so much for all the awesome ideas! ;D
I actually found some nice boots on ebay and bought them, they are a wee bit worn but they were slip on lace-calves.. Fold down and no zipper! The best part was that they were $34 with shipping, so even if I have to do a bit of work on them to make them fit (which I'm hoping I don't).. then it's no biggie!
As for a hat, I've been eyeballing a few and haven't made my mind up yet.. then again my mind kind of traveled to a new bodice that looked more pirate than wench so we'll see what comes of it. Regardless - I really appreaciate all the great ideas, I knew I was coming to the right place to ask around!
Thanks again!
My friend has the same problem with her calves. She found a site that sells boots for women with larger calves. I'll ask her what the site is when I see her tomorrow. What I'm looking for is felt hat blanks. I have been searching for a wholesale site that has them with no luck. Anyone know where I can get some?
I own a pair of Caboots Jack Sparrow chocolate brown boots. While looking great and supposedly being exactly what is worn on screen...my feet were killing me almost every day at ren faire. I spent about $350 on these puppies and they look great with my pirate outfit.
Since I only wore it for 7 or so trips to TRN I thought maybe they just weren't broken in yet....
Anyone have any suggestions or know a great set of insoles I can put in them?
First go to Messina shoe and boot to see if they can add a layer of neoprene to the bottom. This will help cushion you from the huge rocks at Scarby.
Failing that, get two pairs of Dr. Scholl's double thick insoles.
Quote from: DonaCatalina on April 22, 2009, 01:46:45 PM
First go to Messina shoe and boot to see if they can add a layer of neoprene to the bottom. This will help cushion you from the huge rocks at Scarby.
Failing that, get two pairs of Dr. Scholl's double thick insoles.
Thanks for the advice!! I hadn't thought about adding a layer of neoprene. Messina shoe is at Scarby I take it?
Maeve,
white pavilion is about the cheapest I have found so far for hats... they have nice felt hats blanks that can be dressed up. Thats what I am thinking of getting, especially since they go by head size, maybe I can actually get a hat to fit my head!
http://www.whitepavilion.com./
go to headwear and then to the cavalier hat...
Lady oren. Thanks for the boot idea.. I considered trying somethign like that once then never did.. but I might have to try again before too long.. and then I could have my signature pink involved in the lacing! heheheee
Ariyana
Quote from: knightofistari on April 22, 2009, 02:03:04 PM
Quote from: DonaCatalina on April 22, 2009, 01:46:45 PM
First go to Messina shoe and boot to see if they can add a layer of neoprene to the bottom. This will help cushion you from the huge rocks at Scarby.
Failing that, get two pairs of Dr. Scholl's double thick insoles.
Thanks for the advice!! I hadn't thought about adding a layer of neoprene. Messina shoe is at Scarby I take it?
No Messina Shoe is in Farmer's Branch.
Ariyana - I ended up ordering from The Blonde Swan. And thank the skies that I did - what a beautiful hat!! ;D Again, I appreciate all the ideas! I got my boots from the ebay auction and though they have a small heel, they seem comfortable enough. I am wearing them all around to make sure they are comfortable enough because a day at faire can make even the most comfortable of shoes seem slacking. :D