Men's outfit to complement a gown?

[theChuck]

Hey all. My significant other and I are stepping up our garb from the usual wench/average guy stuff. She's going to pick up a gown (probably something like http://fairefinery.com/gowns/cavalier-lady-ensemble/) and I need something that goes along with that. I'm thinking a doublet and white shirt underneath for the top, and I already own a pair of black pants and boots that I can wear. Does that seem to make sense? Can anyone recommend something better? I'm also sort of looking for recommendations on premade stuff; neither of us is at all adept with a sewing machine (and we don't own one anyway).

[gem]

Oh, that's a lovely ensemble! Nicki is a forum member here, and she does such gorgeous work!

You absolutely cannot go wrong with a white shirt, black pants, and a doublet. While you're at it, why not see if Nicki can make a similar (tho' not *matching*) doublet/jerkin for you? Pick a solid color you like that goes well with the red (or whatever color your lady is getting), and have her do coordinating trim on both? Several styles of trim are available in multiple colorways--or it might be fun to have the same trim on different colored ensembles.

If that's not an option, one maker of quality ready-to-wear garb that would work well with that gown is Sofi's Stitches. Milord owns several pieces of their garb, and they're very high quality, hard-wearing, and look really beautiful in person. They use cotton velvet, lined in satin, and gads of different kinds of trim, so every piece is just a little bit different.

All of that said, Milord and I have been going in garb, seven weekends a year, for twelve years--and we are only JUST NOW, in the last couple of years, getting our acts together to consistently coordinate when we go! We've been sort of so-so about it before (each trying to at least hit the theme of the weekend), but we now have enough garb of similar stations to manage to look like we belong together! LOL

Have fun!

[DonaCatalina]

I would second Sofi's sticthes. It is well made clothing.

Milord and I generally hit the same style and era, give or take a decade. But I also agree that complementing each others garb rather than matching is the way to go. You could go with something in black, blue or brown and you would look good together in garb.
Places to look:
http://www.kimiko1.com/dressdiaries/ElzbthnPeascod/index.html
http://www.garbtheworld.com/items/RenFaireMaleSpecial.shtml
http://www.verymerryseamstress.com/doublets.htm
http://www.fourwindsclothing.com/content/mens-renaissance-outfits
http://www.thecastlecloset.com/mens_vests.html

[Orphena]

Way to go! I don't have much more to add - complimenting is the key, not matching. A similar tone, or you chooseing a main colour that is in the trim on her gown. Choose from a similar colour grouping.

A story that goes with that - I was attending faire with a few faire virgins - a group of 4 young ladies who had worked hard on creating their own outfits for the occiasion. I was in gold, 1 was in brown, one mustard & green, one in muted blue, 1 was in muted orange. Half way through the day I got separated from them (I was talking to the merchants!), and one of the cast members came up and said "M'lady, your entourage is looking for you!" One of my fondest memories - and we had not attempted to coordinate - it all just happened that way!

Similar texture, similar tone, same station, and people will think you are indeed a couple that belongs together!

[gem]

Orphena, that's a GREAT story!! I think that sometimes happens kind of naturally, you know? One year Milord's family and I all went on pirate weekend, and ended up like this:



It was *totally* not intentional--all those bits & pieces were collected or constructed absolutely separately (including Nelly's leash! LOL), and yet somehow we all came together in coordinating ensembles. This is one of my favorite photographs BECAUSE we look like a classic family portrait (you know how the trend is for families to dress alike?)--but like *us,* 'cause we're in garb!!

On a similar note, I have a fabric I made sleeves from last year, that I absolutely love because it's so versatile. I've been wanting to replace Milord's dad's green jerkin thing for ages (since that's all he has!), but couldn't decide what to make him... until I hit on the idea of using http://that same gold fabric. I like it so much that I think I'm going to start keeping some on hand to use as accents on pieces from now on.

[theChuck]

Thanks for the advice, folks. I didn't know Nicki is a member here, so that's certainly a good sign. When we contact her about the order, I'll probably ask about options for a doublet as well.

[Koshiba]

Nicki and her work are lovely. I got my bodice from her a few years ago and the whole transaction was very pleasant. She's very thorough with her measurements, she had me double-check my shoulder to waist measurement because it turns out I'm abnormally high-waisted!

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

The Count and Countess of Wessex at Bristol a few years ago when it was still cool enough during the summer to wear noble garb!  We are not cookie cutters of each other, yet our garb coordinates, which we agree we like better.  All made by Lady Kathleen of Olmsted.

[gem]

Laura, those are beautiful! I love the formal one at the top.  Milord and I have never (in 21 years) gotten around to having a "real" family portrait done, in a studio, by a professional, where you buy the set of prints, etc... But every single time we go to Fair in garb together, we make sure to get a full-length picture of the two of us, and we keep them together in a (well, 2 now) special photo albums we bought at Fair. We love having a record of all the times we've spent there--and it's handy at Christmas card time, too! 

[Delireus]

I ordered a gold and black pirate coat from Damsel in this Dress years ago, and my boyfriend ended up getting a jerkin made of the same fabric recently, so...we accidentally matched! I rather enjoyed matching him, I felt like a set. However, we've since expanded our ensembles and by choosing different, but complimentary, designs we aren't limited to what just one of us likes. I don't think I'd intentionally get matching outfits for us, but keeping with a theme is always a plus

Matchy match match