I am posting this to start what I think will be a lively discussion. Not to demean anyone's choice of dress for faire. It is not, and never meant to be, a personal attack on anybody (it's sad that I have to write this, but with the way the forum has become lately, it's better to put a disclaimer up front than for somebody to take it personally and have a hissy fit with hurt feelings).
OK - disclaimer is done!
When I go to faire, even though I realize none of my garb is H/A, and I don't care if it's not, I like to try to look nice. Not in movie-star drop down dead pretty, but nice enough so that when people look at me, they don't say (to themselves), "What was she thinking?"
I see - and again, this is my opinion - a lot of people at different faires who have done something to themselves in some way, that they look frightful. I don't mean this as a garb snark, not that their clothes are the "wrong" color, or that they have a tall hat with the wrong kind of garb (I'm guilty!), but just stuff that makes them unattractive.
I can't specifically say what it is they do, I just know that when I see them, I think that they are a decent looking person underneath whatever they did to make themselves just plain ugly. And I wonder why someone would do that. Because I want to look nice and leave that thought in other peoples' minds, why would someone make themselves deliberately ugly?
I hear what you are saying Renee, and I completely understand.
I think the issues stem from the people walking out of the house thinking they look fine. Just fine. Mostly due to their own ignorance or they dress that way in their civvies (we've all seen older women wearing stuff they bought in the junior section and should have left there.)
Take a front lacing bodice for example. Part of the ignorance comes from the some of the vendors themselves. "If you can breathe, it's not tight enough!!" gets said way too often, and women get sold items that are way too small. Then they get told that they must hike their bosoms up as high as they can go because "that was what they did!!". So now you have women walking around with the 'candle wick' issue. The top of the bodice cutting into their bosom and the breast weeping over the top of it. Painful looking and not attractive in the least.
I also think that people go to faires and want to 'dress up' as something and have some sort of idea in their head, but just don't know how to pull it off. They grab a few things and say "good enough". Only in the eyes of others, it's not.
Mostly I think it's the person in question. I bet if you look in their closet, they have the same issues with their regular clothes.
I think also you get some first timers who are trying to do garb but either can't/won't invest the money in it. So they piece something together out of their closet and second hand store finds (usually in a very short amount of time). We had a friend who came with us to faire this year and wanted to try his hand at garb. He wore a white button up shirt, his work pants, black combat boots, and belt and sword he had bought on the internet. He looked kinda odd, especially in the photos of him standing next to me and my husband in our professionally made garb. He kinda realized it, lamenting that the doublet he had wanted to purchase was more than he could afford. I offered to help him sew his garb this year, so hopefully he won't feel so put off by the cost of garb.
I've seen sometimes the problem of first timers thinking that ok this what they wear and looks good. And when they show up it is not so and cant afford to get better at faire or just dont want to. But I also think it has to do with peoples thinking as well. What we define as looking good, might not be what they think as looking good. And I know I have been guilty of the "I dont care what others think, I'm wearing what I want no matter how it looks." But I usually just do that in civvies and not in garb. Another thing I have seen is the mix and match items. Some times the matching part is so not there.
Hoooo boy..... you should see some of the garb down here in Oklahoma. I haven't posted the link yet but I've been posting the full size photos online for the cast members and playtrons to download. So far there looks to be around 8,500 photos and around 5,000 have already been posted.
Good example is what do you get when you cross Michael Jackson and Captain Crunch?
A Okie Pyrate.
Here's another example. The costume contests were decided by applause from the crowd on each weekend except for the finals. My nephew seen here won the childrens division. The other won in the Adult "WTF happened?" division.......
(http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/2663/castle4415.jpg) (http://img188.imageshack.us/i/castle4415.jpg/)
Friar Rohn
See, that costume is not the kind of WTF stuff I would be personally talking about. Obviously, it is more Halloween than Ren Faire, but it is well thought out, well exectuted and while it looks out of place - it's a pretty dang skippy outfit.
It makes you shake your head, but it doesn't make you go yuck.
Congrats to your nephew too, BTW. He looks awesome!
I understand what all of you were saying, but I didn't mean it in the context of new people not having a clue as to garbing. I thought of an example from a faire we went to a couple of years ago. It was a medieval faire. There were several women there, not just a couple here and there, who were not Twiggy-size - and I am not either, and do NOT mean to demean larger women. I know there are larger women on this forum, another forum I belong to, and I see at faire who look awesomely beautiful in their garb, who wear it well, whether it be wench, pirate, or noble, etc.
Anyway, back to these women, who were patrons, not cast. They wore medieval dresses, as opposed to bodices, skirts, chemises. I think most of you know what I mean. No bras, with the girls hanging down to their waists. They wore biggins caps. Now, my husband never says anything negative about anyone. Never. In all my years of marriage, he either says nice things or nothing at all. When he saw these various women throughout the day - and they weren't a group who came together - he actually shuddered. And said, "what were they thinking?"
That is what I mean when I asked the question, "Why do people wear things that make them distinctly unattractive?" I mean, how many people can actually get away with wearing a biggins cap and look really good? And why would someone want to wear one (and they weren't H/A by any means) if it didn't make them look their best? Things like that is what I mean.
But Friar Ron, when I saw your picture, that was another instance of me thinking, "I wouldn't want to walk around the faire all day with him." And he's probably a really nice guy, I don't mean he's nuts, but in my eyes, he doesn't look attractive, which doesn't make it wrong, but why would somebody deliberately want to look like that? That's what I don't understand. ???
Renee, how do you know someone out there hasn't had the thought of "what was she thinking" when meeting you. I'm not trying to be mean and not saying *I* think so, I'm just trying to make a point. Perhaps the ladies in question don't care to wear supportive undergarments. Perhaps the cap seemed an easy way to keep their hair off their neck on a hot day. Perhaps when they looked in the mirror they saw an idealized version and they were happy with that. I know I have on many occasions thrown something together, both at faire and in mundania and discovered later that I could have made a more flattering choice, but I had a heck of alot of fun. I know too I have taken great pains to be attractive and have just managed to be uncomfortable all day. No fun. I think everyone needs to stop looking at the surface appearance of others and see what's beneath. Were the ladies laughing and happy and full of joy at being at faire? Then to my mind their appearance was perfect.
Quote from: Anna Iram on July 11, 2009, 12:24:35 PM
Renee, how do you know someone out there hasn't had the thought of "what was she thinking" when meeting you. I'm not trying to be mean and not saying *I* think so, I'm just trying to make a point. Perhaps the ladies in question don't care to wear supportive undergarments. Perhaps the cap seemed an easy way to keep their hair off their neck on a hot day. Perhaps when they looked in the mirror they saw an idealized version and they were happy with that. I know I have on many occasions thrown something together, both at faire and in mundania and discovered later that I could have made a more flattering choice, but I had a heck of alot of fun. I know too I have taken great pains to be attractive and have just managed to be uncomfortable all day. No fun. I think everyone needs to stop looking at the surface appearance of others and see what's beneath. Were the ladies laughing and happy and full of joy at being at faire? Then to my mind their appearance was perfect.
Anna, I think you are missing my point. I am not singling out these ladies or any specific people, it was just one example of many that we have seen at different faires. It's really not a "what was she/he thinking" about the garb, it's more that most people I know make an attempt to dress in a manner to not get the stares and the "what was she/he thinking" about a presentation to the world in which they are not presenting themselves in a more positive light.
And if someone thinks "what was she thinking" when meeting me, it's not because I deliberately set out to wear garb that is, and maybe I should say "attention-getting" instead of unattractive.
And I was trying to keep this on a non-personal level, as I said in the first post on this thread. So we don't hurt anybody's feelings, ok?
Quote from: Friar Rohn the Chronicler on July 11, 2009, 09:06:18 AM
Hoooo boy..... you should see some of the garb down here in Oklahoma. I haven't posted the link yet but I've been posting the full size photos online for the cast members and playtrons to download. So far there looks to be around 8,500 photos and around 5,000 have already been posted.
Good example is what do you get when you cross Michael Jackson and Captain Crunch?
A Okie Pyrate.
Here's another example. The costume contests were decided by applause from the crowd on each weekend except for the finals. My nephew seen here won the childrens division. The other won in the Adult "WTF happened?" division.......
(http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/2663/castle4415.jpg) (http://img188.imageshack.us/i/castle4415.jpg/)
Friar Rohn
Ahhh.....he was modeling his World o Warcraft Character.
Renee, I apologise. I wasn't trying to get personal on you or say something snarky or whatever. I was saying we all try, I think, to appear attractiver to some group, but it may be folks from another group just don't relate. As for the ladies I was just trying to use your examples to discuss what you put forth.
I'll leave the topic for others to discuss.
We all have seen people like that at faire. Now before I type this I want everyone to take a really good look at the picture on the left. Ok, I attended Pennsic War for the first time last year. Before I went I was little self-concious because I am fat. Imagine my surprise when I got to war and the first day I was wandering around the Vendor Area I noticed a woman about my size wearing nothing but a Choli top, car wash slit pantaloons, sandals and a smile. When I first saw her I was shocked and a little concerned, I was actually afraid that she was going to get sun posioning because she did have lovely pale skin. After seeing her I noticed more and more very pale people of various sizes dressed similarly. When I asked about it, because I thought we were trying for a more accurate look, I was informed, Oh, It's because it's hot. Now why would you intentionally be non-H/A and courting skin cancer at the same time. Especially when the SCA prides itself on being as H/A as possible and will "snark" on Fairewear?
Never judge the book by the cover for you might just miss a good read.
No offense taken, Anna. And to everyone else who posted, from what responses I'm reading, I don't think I worded the question correctly. Because I don't mean it's about their garb per say.
What I mean is that when a person usually goes to work or to church or to the mall or to a party or anywhere, most people try for some degree of "looking decent" which, I understand means different things to different people. And that's good, since we are not clones - boring!
So, if a woman - and I'm not being gender specific, I'm just relating it to what I know - will wear undergarments, comb her hair, maybe wear makeup, maybe not, but I think you get my drift, why wouldn't this woman make the same attempt before going to faire?
Does this mean she's not as good as everyone else? No, of course not. Does this mean I wouldn't have any interaction with her if I stood next to her in line for food or sat next to her at a show? No, of course not (by the way, I am a hugger!).
So, after reading this, if you still don't understand what I mean, maybe I just can't express it and we should end this thread, because I would never, ever hurt anybody's feelings intentionally.
And tomorrow, I'm going to Bristol and am gonna have fun!
I had to wonder what a very large woman was thinking, when all she was wearing was a leather thong, which wasn't even visible under all the rolls. :o (don't recall what she had on top)
I have seen large women who dressed very nicely, so I am not saying large people can not be attractive. As an artist, I see things differently than most people, I know that.
Maybe these people could use a ren makeover, then they would look amazing! (like "what not to wear" tv show) Maybe then they would see how good they could look, if they made an effort. Maybe they don't have the skills, or the know how to put things together, or what looks good on them? Maybe they don't care? However, now that *everyone* has cameras, camera phones and access to the internet, they could end up on youtube or a photo site, so you would think they would at least care a bit more because of that.
Sometimes what a person does to themselves on the outside is a reflection of what they are feeling on the inside.
I have a friend with two daughters, both sweet and lovely, but in clothing they are as different as night and day.
The first will meticulously arrange her garb to be matching, tasteful, symmetrical, and perfect.
The second will put on whatever she likes that day, without regard for the things listed above.
They are both happy when they go out wearing what they have decided how they want to look. :)
I think I get what you mean here. Like at faire on Sunday seeing a gentleman wearing a blackwatch kilt, ren shirt, green jerkin, leather belt and pouch, wood mug (and none of which was brand new, it was obvious they were well worn attire) with Converse sneakers in bright red. Something like that? Its definitely a 'What was he thinking?' moment.
Quote from: Genievea Brookstone on July 11, 2009, 11:53:10 PM
Sometimes what a person does to themselves on the outside is a reflection of what they are feeling on the inside.
Mine is usually an antithesis... I go out looking neat, tidy, decent, but inside I'm a chaotic tangle of ideas and thoughts. I think I keep hoping the tidiness outside will soak in. Hasn't worked yet! ::)
Good luck with that one Kate. If it works for you please let me know, so that I may start trying harder
Being that I am an extroverted peon in my everyday life, dressing as a Countess for faire gives me a more extroverted way to express myself. To be more a part of the entire faire experience than just as an observer.
I have also noticed that when dressed in garb, people treat you with more respect.
The motto for the House of Olmsted is..."MORE MONEY THAN COMMON SENSE" I wonder how that would translate into Latin? Anyone a Latin expert??
Quote from: Lady Renee Buchanan on July 11, 2009, 10:31:28 PM
No offense taken, Anna. And to everyone else who posted, from what responses I'm reading, I don't think I worded the question correctly. Because I don't mean it's about their garb per say.
What I mean is that when a person usually goes to work or to church or to the mall or to a party or anywhere, most people try for some degree of "looking decent" which, I understand means different things to different people. And that's good, since we are not clones - boring!
So, if a woman - and I'm not being gender specific, I'm just relating it to what I know - will wear undergarments, comb her hair, maybe wear makeup, maybe not, but I think you get my drift, why wouldn't this woman make the same attempt before going to faire?
Does this mean she's not as good as everyone else? No, of course not. Does this mean I wouldn't have any interaction with her if I stood next to her in line for food or sat next to her at a show? No, of course not (by the way, I am a hugger!).
So, after reading this, if you still don't understand what I mean, maybe I just can't express it and we should end this thread, because I would never, ever hurt anybody's feelings intentionally.
And tomorrow, I'm going to Bristol and am gonna have fun!
Lady Renee, this still may not be what you're talking about but....You wonder why a person would go through the trouble to look good, according to what they think looks good for them personally, yet not put forth the same effort at faire? Well, it's impossible to know how they dress and present themselves on a daily basis, or how expeienced a rennie they are. Lets just say though, for the sake of the discussion, that they attend faire frequently, and they "know" what they're doing. Perhaps faire is like "down time" for them. Yes, faire is an escape for all of us, but what I mean is; when preparing for faire, most people go all out, possibly taking days to coordinate their garb, plan their itinerary for the day etc., and have everything just right. For some people though, maybe they don't feel like they need or want to put that much effort into it. Many of us refer to faire as "home", so maybe some people really do feel comfortable enough at faire to truly be themselves- not their "public" self, but the person you are when you're at home, perhaps by yourself and truly relaxed. It's like when you get all dressed up for a special event, or if you wear dressy office clothes everyday. Then when you come home, it's time to ditch the fancy clothes, scrub off the make up, let your hair down, and get into the comfy sweats...Maybe faire is like "coming home from the office" for them, and they don't always feel like they have to look their personal best. Even though most people don't like going out in public unless they look decent, perhaps they don't mind because it's faire. Not that faire isn't important enough for them to put forth their best effort, but the opposite. They're going to a place they consider a second home, surrounded by friends and folks who, for the most part won't care what they look like, as long as everyone is friendly and having a good time.
If I'm still off base, then I'll move along. I know it's frustrating when you can't get an idea across.
I'll take a crack at answering Lady Renee's question.
I think some of it may have to do with the fact that it's faire. Faire has a reputation, in general, of being accepting of people however they are, and of being a place to live out a fantasy for a day.
To use an example from above, the large woman wearing a leather thong. Ok, in her normal life she dresses in clothes that make her figure look nice. But, she dreams of being sexy warrior woman. Well, her body doesn't have the shape normally associated with that. Going to faire, she has what she feels is a safe environment to wear her sexy warrior woman outfit. If she has the guts to go for it, and spend the day feeling sexy, and doesn't care what other people may be thinking, why wouldn't she wear it? Sure, most people don't really want to see that, and may be wondering what she was thinking, but is she going to be more accepted wearing something like that at faire or at the beach?
Also, I think some people dress in certain ways just to get attention. Like goths, for example. Lots of people think they intentionally look ugly, but they like dressing that way and a lot of them like the reaction they get from people. They do it for attention.
Or, some people do it just because they like the way it looks, and could give less than a thought to what other people think about them. As many different people as there are in the world, you will find that many different senses of style. And some subset of that cares more about their own personal sense of style more than what others think of them.
Is that the kind of thing you were talking about, or did I miss the mark as well?
Quote from: Elennare on July 14, 2009, 11:51:21 AM
I'll take a crack at answering Lady Renee's question.
I think some of it may have to do with the fact that it's faire. Faire has a reputation, in general, of being accepting of people however they are, and of being a place to live out a fantasy for a day.
To use an example from above, the large woman wearing a leather thong. Ok, in her normal life she dresses in clothes that make her figure look nice. But, she dreams of being sexy warrior woman. Well, her body doesn't have the shape normally associated with that. Going to faire, she has what she feels is a safe environment to wear her sexy warrior woman outfit. If she has the guts to go for it, and spend the day feeling sexy, and doesn't care what other people may be thinking, why wouldn't she wear it? Sure, most people don't really want to see that, and may be wondering what she was thinking, but is she going to be more accepted wearing something like that at faire or at the beach?
Also, I think some people dress in certain ways just to get attention. Like goths, for example. Lots of people think they intentionally look ugly, but they like dressing that way and a lot of them like the reaction they get from people. They do it for attention.
Or, some people do it just because they like the way it looks, and could give less than a thought to what other people think about them. As many different people as there are in the world, you will find that many different senses of style. And some subset of that cares more about their own personal sense of style more than what others think of them.
Is that the kind of thing you were talking about, or did I miss the mark as well?
'
You got it exactly. I wasn't criticizing specific garb, just why people would wear something. Thank you for presenting it more eloquently than I did. And thanks to everyone else who also understood what I meant. As I said, I wasn't criticizing specific people for what they were wearing, my question was "why" would they do things at faire they wouldn't do in ordinary life. ;D
Quote from: Khaalis on July 14, 2009, 05:38:49 AM
I think I get what you mean here. Like at faire on Sunday seeing a gentleman wearing a blackwatch kilt, ren shirt, green jerkin, leather belt and pouch, wood mug (and none of which was brand new, it was obvious they were well worn attire) with Converse sneakers in bright red. Something like that? Its definitely a 'What was he thinking?' moment.
In this particular instance, I would probably think one of two things:
a) The man LOVES his Chuck's and won't give 'em up for anything ~ He'll probably wear them at his wedding/graduation/other important event, too.
~or b) He had a boot blow-out at the last minuet & didn't have any footwear that would be comfy for the day...maybe he's shopping for replacements at Faire?
Generally speaking, I'll have to agree with Elennare...What looks 'good' is a matter of personal perspective, and Faire is a place where exploring aspects of one's self that we have to curb in mundane life (would you ever think of participating in a wenching at the office?) is more acceptable.
Quote from: Elennare on July 14, 2009, 11:51:21 AM
I'll take a crack at answering Lady Renee's question.
To use an example from above, the large woman wearing a leather thong. Ok, in her normal life she dresses in clothes that make her figure look nice. But, she dreams of being sexy warrior woman. Well, her body doesn't have the shape normally associated with that. Going to faire, she has what she feels is a safe environment to wear her sexy warrior woman outfit. If she has the guts to go for it, and spend the day feeling sexy, and doesn't care what other people may be thinking, why wouldn't she wear it? Sure, most people don't really want to see that, and may be wondering what she was thinking, but is she going to be more accepted wearing something like that at faire or at the beach?
As I was the one that gave that example, I just wanted to ask this...
What happens when someone else at faire that she doesn't know and probably doesn't even see, takes photos of her and posts it on the internet? I also came across a guy selling photos on smug mug of people he took photos of at faire and I really doubt he had their permission to sell them, because how could anyone get model releases from everyone they take photos of in a candid way? Would the large woman be comfortable with someone selling her pics on the internet? What if someone she knew or works with discovered those photos? It would be embarrassing, I would think. It might even cost someone their job, as has happend on some of the social networking sites, when their employer found it. Just my thoughts on that.
Uncomfortable thought, isn't it...
And where do we draw the lines with descriptions? Is a difference between describing one distinctive person and a general trend (such as the prevailing fashion for 'muffin-top' jeans - ghastly look!)?
Quote from: Lady L on July 15, 2009, 12:19:41 AM
As I was the one that gave that example, I just wanted to ask this...
What happens when someone else at faire that she doesn't know and probably doesn't even see, takes photos of her and posts it on the internet? I also came across a guy selling photos on smug mug of people he took photos of at faire and I really doubt he had their permission to sell them, because how could anyone get model releases from everyone they take photos of in a candid way? Would the large woman be comfortable with someone selling her pics on the internet? What if someone she knew or works with discovered those photos? It would be embarrassing, I would think. It might even cost someone their job, as has happend on some of the social networking sites, when their employer found it. Just my thoughts on that.
I hadn't even thought of that. But there is a website that I've seen about the "what was she/he thinking" in faire garb. I can't remember it, but I think it would be very hurtful to find yourself on that. And you're right about the employer finding out. I was told by a HR director that they google job aspirants. Can you imagine seeing that?
Quote from: Khaalis on July 14, 2009, 05:38:49 AM
I think I get what you mean here. Like at faire on Sunday seeing a gentleman wearing a blackwatch kilt, ren shirt, green jerkin, leather belt and pouch, wood mug (and none of which was brand new, it was obvious they were well worn attire) with Converse sneakers in bright red. Something like that? Its definitely a 'What was he thinking?' moment.
I have a 16 year old friend and she and her friends wear Converse with EVERYTHING. Prom, fancy parties, church, Ren Faire, doesn't matter. :P
Related to the photo thing- once at TRF, Hubby and I were watching E Muzeki and afterwards were literally surrounded by asian tourists taking our pictures. Now, yes, lol when I'm at faire I am not exactly modest, but I do stay legal at least, and try to be sure it's still attractive and not 'too much'... but, regardless, I know that somewhere there is an asian-language site with my picture on it- and that kinda creeps me out. But really, whenever we go to faire in garb we open ourselves up to that.
As to the WHY? I know one wench who bares quite a tract of land because that's what her SO likes- it's not in a controlling way, but sort of in the same vein as keeping your hair long because you know HE likes it. I bare what i do because faire is one of the only times i feel i can be ME and feel attractive at the same time. While I know I am not the worst offender out there, i know it is 'too much' by other standards. I try to strike a happy medium.
as for the garb 'non-sequitors'? Hubby once went into faire in a khaki utilikilt, a green dra shirt, and his army green crocs. I still dont know why!
I cannot speak for other faires but at CoRF on your ticket it clearly reads that by coming on site you give permission for your image4d to be taken and used without your written or prior concent. Most places have this rule on hand.
NOW this is different that concerts were most camera's not even cell phone camera are not allowed in as the artists (not really the artists but their record company) feel they would lose money if you used their clients likeness for any use what so ever.
As for what people wear and why even if other think it looks bad? A lot of it has to do with self worth and feeling. Maybe it is a way for them to finally escape normal life and be and dress however they feel.
Being a Goth I don't dress that way to dray attention to myself, I do it to express myself and how I feel and what I like. I did the same thing when I was in a band and wore leather. Many might call me a Hippie (which is wrong) others a rebel or a troublemaker. I was always none of those. I was just being my inner self and expressing it to the world.
People have been doing that since the dawn of man... expressing themselves for how they feel and who they are.
While many of us may not agree with how someone else dresses or looks, maybe that person likes what they see. What they see is different than what we see. Like bulimia or Anorexia. They see only a fat person while in reality they look like a skeleton or a death camp survivor. Or maybe they have a low self esteem and by dressing in the mode they dressed it, it boosts their self esteem up
I think in many cases it's truly an issue of people just not being aware of it. For instance, I just saw the pictures taken of me at a very important event last weekend. In the mirror, I looked great--but none of the pictures look anything like I thought I looked. It's very hard to tell sometimes, and it definitely has me questioning pretty much everything I wear and how I wear my hair &c. (I wasn't indecent or inappropriately dressed or anything; I just didn't look how I *thought* I looked.)
It's easier for me to pick out mundanes that aren't dressing to their advantage, because I think many people do think of garb as a time for dress-up and playacting, and go to more of an extreme than they'd do in street dress. But as an example, I had a young woman come to a recent book signing of mine. She was wearing a red shrug with huge sequins on it, and she looked about 12. I write for teenagers, so it's not unusual to have young kids in my lines--I was completely flabbergasted when she mentioned something about where she'd gone to college! I am CERTAIN she didn't put that shrug on *intending* to be mistaken for a junior high school student.
Quote from: gem on July 15, 2009, 03:25:59 PM
I think in many cases it's truly an issue of people just not being aware of it. For instance, I just saw the pictures taken of me at a very important event last weekend. In the mirror, I looked great--but none of the pictures look anything like I thought I looked. It's very hard to tell sometimes, and it definitely has me questioning pretty much everything I wear and how I wear my hair &c. (I wasn't indecent or inappropriately dressed or anything; I just didn't look how I *thought* I looked.)
It's easier for me to pick out mundanes that aren't dressing to their advantage, because I think many people do think of garb as a time for dress-up and playacting, and go to more of an extreme than they'd do in street dress. But as an example, I had a young woman come to a recent book signing of mine. She was wearing a red shrug with huge sequins on it, and she looked about 12. I write for teenagers, so it's not unusual to have young kids in my lines--I was completely flabbergasted when she mentioned something about where she'd gone to college! I am CERTAIN she didn't put that shrug on *intending* to be mistaken for a junior high school student.
I think you may have put it best.. "that aren't dressing to their advantage". Goth, scifi, fairie, thong, weird pirate skull thing with claw hands, it doesn't matter! We are all guilty of it at some point. But I too look at people and go "Whoa, what the?!", because often more times than not they could make one small change to the ensemble and it turns into "Whoa, cool!" Like it was mentioned before, when you watch "What Not to Wear" and the person is transformed. Not because Stacy and Clinton are wizards but because suggestions (rules ;) ) were given that helped to bring out the best traits of the person!
We are all unique in body type, self visual, ensemble abilities, and self esteem (or lack there of).
I think we all need a sit down with Stacy and Clinton just once, we might learn something about ourselves and actually like it! :D
Quote from: Lady Kathleen of Olmsted on July 14, 2009, 09:45:32 AM
Being that I am an extroverted peon in my everyday life, dressing as a Countess for faire gives me a more extroverted way to express myself. To be more a part of the entire faire experience than just as an observer.
I have also noticed that when dressed in garb, people treat you with more respect.
The motto for the House of Olmsted is..."MORE MONEY THAN COMMON SENSE" I wonder how that would translate into Latin? Anyone a Latin expert??
the closest I can find is
More money than sense
amplius pecunia aliter consilium
Quote from: gem on July 15, 2009, 03:25:59 PM
I think in many cases it's truly an issue of people just not being aware of it. For instance, I just saw the pictures taken of me at a very important event last weekend. In the mirror, I looked great--but none of the pictures look anything like I thought I looked. It's very hard to tell sometimes, and it definitely has me questioning pretty much everything I wear and how I wear my hair &c. (I wasn't indecent or inappropriately dressed or anything; I just didn't look how I *thought* I looked.)
I've had that happen to me before too, both in mundane clothing and garb. Isn't it weird how we look totally different in pictures than we do in the mirror? Once I wore garb that I thought was a great color combo in the mirror, but when I saw the photos, the colors were very drab looking and I looked totally washed out. I don't know if I really did look that way, or if it was just poor lighting and a bad photo.
In real life, I wear a tie to work. In the winter I wear a top coat and a color coordinated scarf. Strangers call me sir and hold doors or step aside on the sidewalk. When I dress down I receive no such treatment. It's amazing how differently you're treated based on how you're dressed.
With that in mind, I often alter my appearance based on how I feel like being treated. If I feel like being sociable, I'll wear the shirt & tie when I go out. I'll go with a ragged hat and old t-shirt if I want to be left alone.
I guess I'm just trying to reinforce the point that sometimes people will dress for a certain reaction, even if it's a negative one.
Speaking as a person who is currently build garb, the guy might not have the money yet for shoes or boots. Right now shoes or boots are at the bottom of the priority list, especially with my three year old son. My first bodice needs much work, it didn't turn out as well as I'd like. My son needs pants. On top of mugs for each of us and a decent pouch for me, not to mention more mundane things like tennis shoes for a growing boy.
Like someone said, with really outlandish stuff, just a small change can turn something "WOAH WTF?!" into "WOAH COOL!"
I'm sort of a clothing victim, lol. Every time I step outside the box, clothing-wise, I see photographic evidence and want to vomit a little bit in my mouth. My main flaw is that my imagination takes unsuitable items and translates them into what they're supposed to be...it's really hard to explain...It's like painting a straw hat black, pinning up 2 sides and seeing a HA bicorn hat at least until pictures are taken.
I always say when there is a person that is in not very tastful cloths " there goes another home without a mirror"
There are people that look fantastic, there are others that make you want to poke your eyes out with a stick. Its just the way they want to look so what