hat question

[gem]

Oh, that is a shame!  And understandable; I'm dealing with that with some mail order pieces at the moment, too. Alas.

I have also held onto my fair share of pieces I thought I could make work with a little tweaking here and there, and it's never quite as easy or successful as you think it's going to be. Whether or not I attempted a fix would depend a lot on how much I had invested in the piece (read: not much). A pricy item would be returned.

THAT SAID  ... you might check out this recent thread:
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=17309.0

It discusses a different type of button closure using hair elastics, which would allow you to get some give in the fit.  And although button-up doublets are perfectly period, at Fair we also see a lot that lace up the front--which is a more forgiving fit AND can allow a too-tight button garment to have more room, since the front edges meet, instead of overlap. (Did that make sense?) Another way to get another few centimeters of room is to use decorative clasps instead of buttons--but they're not as forgiving, fit-wise, as lacing.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

[Rowan MacD]

I was getting ready to reply about the Hat is perfect for your doublet and then I saw your last post. As I am looking at the doublet, it looks to me the buttons could be moved over so you could close it. I would go up 4 and start to move them over a little at a time to where they will button. You wouldn't have to send it back. Just a suggestion. Thoughts anyone?

I considered that, but even with the buttons moved over as much as possible, it would still be uncomfortable.  I know these are supposed to be fitted, but it would be a bit "too" fitted 

This is why when I made hubby's doublet with front clasp closures and I made it so the side seams laced under the arms instead of a closed seam.    This allows him to 'fit' the garment to his figure comfortably, either tighter or looser.
  I have used the heavy duty hair elastics on sleeves, and they work well.

[Ser Niall]

Oh, that is a shame!  And understandable; I'm dealing with that with some mail order pieces at the moment, too. Alas.

I have also held onto my fair share of pieces I thought I could make work with a little tweaking here and there, and it's never quite as easy or successful as you think it's going to be. Whether or not I attempted a fix would depend a lot on how much I had invested in the piece (read: not much). A pricy item would be returned.

THAT SAID  ... you might check out this recent thread:
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=17309.0

It discusses a different type of button closure using hair elastics, which would allow you to get some give in the fit.  And although button-up doublets are perfectly period, at Fair we also see a lot that lace up the front--which is a more forgiving fit AND can allow a too-tight button garment to have more room, since the front edges meet, instead of overlap. (Did that make sense?) Another way to get another few centimeters of room is to use decorative clasps instead of buttons--but they're not as forgiving, fit-wise, as lacing.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

Yup, your fix makes perfect sense.  I will decide by the weekend what I'd like to do with it.  I got a good deal on it, but it wasn't necessarily cheap.  Thanks for the suggestions!

[Ser Niall]

So, as you might have guessed, I'm trying upgrade my garb on a budget, hence I've been looking on ebay trying to snag some deals.

I had pretty much narrowed it down to the green doublet pictured above (which will most likely get returned), and this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/300711078919?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_2450wt_1166

A couple of questions.  The 2nd black and gold doublet laces up on the sides, is this period accurate at all?  I've seen doublets that have laces on the side for adjustments, but they almost always have laces up the front as well.

Has anyone dealt with this maker at all?  I'm curious if anyone has had experience with their workmanship.  The price seems pretty low compared to everything else I've seen.  The brocade fabric would actually match my girlfriend's dress well, since it's black and gold.

[DonaCatalina]

Yes it is period, some, not many extant examples, Elizabethan men's doublets laced up the sides.
I personally have not dealt with Royal Coffers but what I have heard from other ranges from ambivalent to not good.

That 9% silk chenille is HOT! as in do you have a blue ice vest to wear under it?

[Ser Niall]

Yes it is period, some, not many extant examples, Elizabethan men's doublets laced up the sides.
I personally have not dealt with Royal Coffers but what I have heard from other ranges from ambivalent to not good.

That 9% silk chenille is HOT! as in do you have a blue ice vest to wear under it?

Yeah, did a search for Royal Coffers on the forum here, and read a lot of not so nice things about them    Guess I'll stay away.  I swear, I need to learn to sew some day.  I want the nobility look, but seeing as I'm not a noble I'm trying to do it on a budget.