costume spitballing

[anotheranon]

Potential future costumes, writing them down before I forget:

• The Adam Ant/Hussar project may be back on. Helpfully, I think I've found a source for bulk braid/trim.
  
  
• Honor Harrington: we're both athletic, short haired, and dark eyed. Besides, militaria!
  
  
• More uniforms and menswear in general. I've come to the conclusion: most historic women's styles are designed for the delicate or the curvy, and I am neither of these things :P Though I still love and will continue to make and wear women's costume, I do think the strong shoulders and bold lines of menswear look better on me. Besides, it gives me a excuse to play the gallant, or the rake ;)
  
  
• Superheroes: Watchmen's Silhouette and Silk Spectre I, and a childhood favorite, Wonder Woman (ca. 1940s. At my age I want the coverage of the little skirt over the briefs!)
  
  
  
• More 1940s - Katharine Hepburn-style suits, structured dresses and evening gowns, maybe even a WAC or WAVE uniform. The decade's broad shouldered profile flatters me, and these would have the added benefit that I could wear them "everyday", or at least to work. Bright red lipstick!
  
  
• Regency - mens AND women's. The latter because it's cooler/travels better than other time periods. Also: turbans to cover anachronistic hair.
  
  
• I could also use some basic costume "cross-trainer" accessories, either made or purchased: opera gloves in white and black, tuxedo gloves, spats, cape, pirate coat, tricorn, top hat.
  

Comments

[ladyaelfwynn.livejournal.com]

If you hadn't included the 40s, I was going to suggest it, for just the reasons you mentioned. Another of my favorites was the Rosie the rivetter that was wandering about! It was great!

I think you're spot on about your shape. Especially when you consider just how tiny women were in the past. I'd be a veritable Amazon in some instances! ;-p

I was disappointed that more accessories weren't available. I'd been looking for straw hats (to use as a base for millinery work) and white, crocheted lace gloves and didn't find any, at all.

Good luck!

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Oh, I loved Rosie! Maybe a nice pair of 1940s-style women's overalls would be a good idea as well, hmm....

I think I've known for a long time what shapes flatter me best, but my interests ran counter to them - now I'm just gonna own it :)

FWIW, you rock the insane Victorian tea-gown look! I would recommend you play more with your inner Dru!

Re: accessories - I do understand and feel your pain. I'm guessing that part of the lack is that accessorization is a lost art, and even in the costuming community there just aren't a huge number of vendors. Online may be the way to go.

FWIW, if you ever find yourself in Williamsburg, run - do not walk - to the Mary Dickinson shop in the historic merchants area. Straw hats ALL DAY LONG...but damn, they don't have an online store!

[ladyaelfwynn.livejournal.com]

Dru will be getting lots of mileage this year! She's going to Fangoria in NYC, Comic Con in San Diego, and then Dragon Con.

It's a lot of fun being Dru!

I wish there were more places to wear interesting outfits around here.

Maybe we should start having dress-up teas or something!

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Maybe we should start having dress-up teas or something!

You're not the only one to have this idea. Check this out: http://tinyurl.com/pnmyj6

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

Hepburn ... what a perfect look for you. If I come across any relevant photos/sites/books/etc. in my wanderings, I'll be sure to let you know about 'em.

Oooo ... didn't have JKM in my webpage suppliers list (favourited for next update ... thanks!) BTW, re the discussion of accessory-hunting above ... I've been continually adding huge numbers of shopping links to both my Fibre Arts and Fun & Games "departments" (Shopping Outside the Mainstream), so it's possible you could find some sources in those lists. :-)