I've recently finished my first Noble-style gown, and plan to wear it at a small faire on Mother's Day weekend. My problem is that I am drawing a complete blank when I try to decide what to wear for a belt! I just cannot picture what would be appropriate. I have pirate belts and wench belts, but nothing that looks quite right for this gown. (I'd post a pic, but I am just clueless about how to do that) It doesn't have to be perfect, but merely appropriate. Can anybody point me in the right direction? (leather? chain? fabric?) ???
I may suggest Dragons Pipe Den on eBay or www.sapphireandsage.com (http://www.sapphireandsage.com). Both have lovely Girdle Belts for Noble gowns.
Depending on the dress either a jeweled girdle as Lady K suggested or a long thin fabric sash with tassels on the ends could work.
If you would like to share a photo the easiest way to do it would be to upload to a free photo hosting site such as Photobucket.com then copy and paste the IMG code to your post here.
I've worn a regular modern nylon web belt underneath the bodice and attached my bags and mug strap to that. The belt doesn't show and still holds everything I need. Depends if you want it for appearance or functionality.
I highly recommend Dragons Pipe Den though if you want more of a jewelry piece. I have a couple necklace/earring sets from them and LOVE them. I've always gotten tons of compliments on them too.
What exactly are you looking for in a belt?
Something to hold up a mugs and pouches?
Or a jewelry piece similar to those in portraits?
If it is a jewlery piece you want, you can assemble one yourself (see my profile)
or go to www.sapphireandsage.com
If you could post a photo of your dress through photobucket,
we might be able to give you more informed opinions. ;)
I do exactly the same thing Colleen. I wear a close fitting belt under my bodice for mug/purse etc. I know a "proper" lady of the time would not all that hanging upon her, but I've no servants to carry it for me.
LadyToadflinger, love your name! :). as you made your gown, you could make a belt from the same fabric. That way it would match perfectly.
For my own girdle belt, I've had great luck finding modern day chain belts in thrift shops or at TJ max for a song. Just reworked the chain a bit and voila! It's a hit or miss thing though. I got luck and found one made with pearls and gold chain. I do recall also seeing a member make a belt of her own from scratch and posting pics and a how to. If you like to bead, that might be a fun option too. (Edit. I see Dona just posted that she made hers!)
As for pictures, we have a tutorial here: http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=368.0 :)
when I wear my big red velvet gown I have a jewel/pearl girdle belt and also a golden chain belt which I use to clip pouches and my fan from. It matches right nicely.... I have it on in my avitar, but I think its probably hard to really see with my arm in the way. :-[
My bodice and skirt are separate so I put several grommets in the waist band. I can loop through my pouch and fan. Very secure. The other items I carry in a basket, no servants! ;D
Zow! Thanks for the advice, everyone! I like some of the ideas, especially the one about the hidden belt. I do want the belt to support a few pouches and a goblet frog. Maybe I'll go with the hidden belt for hanging stuff, and the metal belt/girdle for looks. I have been looking at flea markets and thrift stores, with little luck so far. Maybe this weekend is the lucky one!
Gramercy!
Wearing a leather belt with the girdle doesn't work well when I am wearing my Italian gowns that have the bodice and skirt stitched together. Something I do is tie a cord the same color as my gown around the waist to hold my pouch, fan, and/or parasol then it doesn't really show when I fasten my jeweled girdle over it.
I have a few girdles made from a few yards of upholstry rope. I guess it's called. I have one that's a larger rope and one that's smaller. And I sewed tassels to the ends. But that doesn't solve the problem of having something to anchor items to. When I am in nobles I usually carry a basket for mugs and such.
You've gotten some great suggestions here! I've found that some ladies will actually sew a key ring-type split ring under the bodice or at the top of the skirt, depending on the gown style. This allows them to hang heavier objects that would damage a more-fashion-than-function girdle belt, while eliminating the need for a hidden belt.
Of course, if you do need a fancier belt and don't have luck finding one locally, I'd be happy to help you in that department (big hugs and thanks to DonaCatalina and Lady Kathleen for the referrals!). ;)
Again agreeing with previous posters, seeing or at least having a general description of your gown's waistline would help in assisting you in selecting the type of jeweled belt you'd need. Straight-waisted and "V"-waisted gowns sometimes require different belt styles, since they hang differently.
Okay while Sapphire and Sage do make some awesome jewelry, might I place another name into the mix?
Dragonpipes
So let me show you another vendor for some awesome girdles & necklace Combinations
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Dragonpipes-Den_Renaissance-Girdles_W0QQ_fsubZ8QQ_sidZ2712514QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322 (http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Dragonpipes-Den_Renaissance-Girdles_W0QQ_fsubZ8QQ_sidZ2712514QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322)
I personally own 5 sets of her jewelry and they are fabulous, and they came on time and are well awesome.
Nobles would not need a 'belt' to hold their stuff, they would have had a servant to hold it or they would carry a basket. I like carrying my cups and such in a basket and I have a hidden pocket for my actual money. I also have a muff which holds inside my cell phone, credit cards and money on cooler days at faire.
Cilean
I found a metal chain belt for my Faire Paire gown on eBay last year for the princely sum of $7. :D It's antique gold with medallions set with yellow amethyst-colored stones, and has a sort of Byzantine look. It's extra long, and I just drape it around my hips and let the end hang down the front of the gown. Worked really nicely!
I didn't find anything a whole lot like it on eBay just now, but here are a couple of examples that are sorta like what I mean:
http://cgi.ebay.com/SILVER-FLEUR-DE-LIS-CHAIN-BELT-ANY-SIZE_W0QQitemZ300315731323QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Women_s_Belts?hash=item45ec36657b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4%7C65%3A15%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A200 (http://cgi.ebay.com/SILVER-FLEUR-DE-LIS-CHAIN-BELT-ANY-SIZE_W0QQitemZ300315731323QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Women_s_Belts?hash=item45ec36657b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4%7C65%3A15%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A200)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Beautiful-womens-metal-chain-belt-A01_W0QQitemZ110398065061QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Women_s_Belts?hash=item19b43cc9a5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4%7C65%3A15%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A200 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Beautiful-womens-metal-chain-belt-A01_W0QQitemZ110398065061QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Women_s_Belts?hash=item19b43cc9a5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4%7C65%3A15%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A200)