Clothing & Fashion
We have all been asked on many occasions, "Where did you get your clothes from they look great"
Well quite simply we make most of them ourselves! With the right amount of research you can find out what you need to know about fashion for not only the period we love but any period. I will be just covering the Victorian period in this article.
Once you have decided on what item of clothing you want and you have done your research its time to find out where to get a pattern from, strangely enough there are places out there that do still produce them, a Google search will reveal many sources.
(Its probably wise to state at this point that your research on any costume should not be conducted by watching films and TV. Over the years Hollywood has been the worst source of research and its only over the last few years they have started serious research so its probably best to do you research from books internet and museums etc.)
There are people out there who have got original clothing and almost de-construct them to work out clothing was made, which is to our benefit so we don't have to go to those costs or lengths.
Below are a few books that may be of help but there are loads more, available from
http://www.amazon.co.uk/
or
http://www.abebooks.co.uk/?cm_ven=Google&cm_cat=UBT&cm_pla=abebooks.&cm_ite=abebooks.
Well quite simply we make most of them ourselves! With the right amount of research you can find out what you need to know about fashion for not only the period we love but any period. I will be just covering the Victorian period in this article.
Once you have decided on what item of clothing you want and you have done your research its time to find out where to get a pattern from, strangely enough there are places out there that do still produce them, a Google search will reveal many sources.
(Its probably wise to state at this point that your research on any costume should not be conducted by watching films and TV. Over the years Hollywood has been the worst source of research and its only over the last few years they have started serious research so its probably best to do you research from books internet and museums etc.)
There are people out there who have got original clothing and almost de-construct them to work out clothing was made, which is to our benefit so we don't have to go to those costs or lengths.
Below are a few books that may be of help but there are loads more, available from
http://www.amazon.co.uk/
or
http://www.abebooks.co.uk/?cm_ven=Google&cm_cat=UBT&cm_pla=abebooks.&cm_ite=abebooks.
Ok so now you have spent time researching the item of clothes you want to make and have a better understanding of the fashion and you have managed to get the pattern you want, its now time to think about the material used, back to the research. As a rule of thumb if you think of natural materials such as wool cotton or silk you cant go to far wrong but its always worth checking before you start work making anything.
Listed below are just a sample of some of the patterns available from a company called Past Patterns I would recommend them highly as not only are they well researched they come with very comprehensive notes and instruction.
The other company I like are called Truly Victorian who also do some good patterns that can be used. Just click on the pattern and they will take you to the page for each item, there are loads more on each site that could be used, but be aware that these are both from America and fashions can differ slightly and the dates may differ, back to your research.
http://www.pastpatterns.com/
http://trulyvictorian.com/index.html
What about buttons or fastenings I hear you cry next... well its back to the research again! A simple rule to think of is that it is best steer away from plastic's or modern materials.
Wood, bone, horn, metal or even glass would be fine but keep away from zips and velcro.....they were not invented back then! You can pick up original buttons for a reasonable price if you look around, e-bay is not a bad source for finding them but the prices on there have risen considerably over the years. If you know what you are looking for Boot Fares can be a treasure trove for not only buttons but material and many other things.
But if you haven't got it yet........research, research, research read books blogs and most of all ask questions if you are not sure. Somebody will have the answer to any of your questions don't be afraid to ask.
Wood, bone, horn, metal or even glass would be fine but keep away from zips and velcro.....they were not invented back then! You can pick up original buttons for a reasonable price if you look around, e-bay is not a bad source for finding them but the prices on there have risen considerably over the years. If you know what you are looking for Boot Fares can be a treasure trove for not only buttons but material and many other things.
But if you haven't got it yet........research, research, research read books blogs and most of all ask questions if you are not sure. Somebody will have the answer to any of your questions don't be afraid to ask.
Don't forget that the fashion does not just mean the clothes you are wearing it could also mean the jewelery you are wearing, no wrist watches please. It could also mean you hair style and for the ladies the makeup they are or even NOT wearing. If you are an up and coming Rapscallion vanity means something else.....it does not mean you look great in your every day context it means you look great in a period context and that could mean not having any makeup on and looking dirty and bedraggled, if that's the image you want to portray. Even if you are portraying the upper classes research is necessary so you can get it right.
In my opinion there is nothing worse, for example, than for a lady to get the correct clothing made correctly from the correct material with the correct fastenings only to have a face plastered in make up like one of the orange women who frequent the Debenhams makeup counters.
In my opinion there is nothing worse, for example, than for a lady to get the correct clothing made correctly from the correct material with the correct fastenings only to have a face plastered in make up like one of the orange women who frequent the Debenhams makeup counters.
Do not forget the under the underwear, we all tend to wear the correct period underwear as it completes the outfit. Granted nobody is likely to see it but its all down to the quality of the impression you intend to portray.
For the gents its fairly simple period drawers and undershirt are about it, for the ladies there is a raft of items that could or should be worn.
For the gents its fairly simple period drawers and undershirt are about it, for the ladies there is a raft of items that could or should be worn.
From the period drawers to the petticoats and bloomers and not forgetting the corset the ladies can wear so much underclothing there is little chance of them getting cold! Lets be honest girls no one want to look fat but you have to keep warm, quilted petticoats would be a great help.
Foot wear is also very important in getting your portrayal correct its pointless spending all that time and research on getting everything else in you portrayal correct and then wear a pair of old leather shoes you had lying around because they probably wont be seen, especially under a dress.
Again its back to the research and look for the period you want to portray there are again manufacturers of all kinds of boots and shoes. A good source would be a historical re-enactors fare or again just ask around people are generally only to willing to help you get things right and intimately save you money.
Again its back to the research and look for the period you want to portray there are again manufacturers of all kinds of boots and shoes. A good source would be a historical re-enactors fare or again just ask around people are generally only to willing to help you get things right and intimately save you money.