Do's & Dont's
Do's and Dont's, they will apply to people in differing degree's but that is up to you and how far you want to go with your impression.
Some people are happy with buying an old Wedding hire frock coat made from polyester or an old bridesmaid's dress with a zip up the back, is this wrong? Not necessarily, historically yes, it all depends on the type of image you are trying to create. Some people are happy with that sort of impression which is absolutely fine because thats as far as they want to take it and they enjoy their hobby.
We like to take it up a level or two on the authenticity, which is just the way we like to enjoy our hobby, which is what I intend to briefly cover here.
Some people are happy with buying an old Wedding hire frock coat made from polyester or an old bridesmaid's dress with a zip up the back, is this wrong? Not necessarily, historically yes, it all depends on the type of image you are trying to create. Some people are happy with that sort of impression which is absolutely fine because thats as far as they want to take it and they enjoy their hobby.
We like to take it up a level or two on the authenticity, which is just the way we like to enjoy our hobby, which is what I intend to briefly cover here.
To ensure that your impression is as good as you can get it, or want it, there are a few things that you may need to consider, the Do's and Dont's.
I will try and keep this as simple as possible, if it was not invented created designed or made before the period you are portraying it is wrong and therefore should not be used to enhance your historically correct impression.
However if an item of clothing, for example, is from before your portrayal period you could possibly use it but that is all down to the common sense approach.
For example if your impression is of a 1860's gentleman of breeding and good standing, you would wear the clothing of that period and of the fashion available at that time. You would not wear a frock coat from the 1840's. But if you were portraying the same period but were not wealthy man you could wear the older frock coat because you would have had to make do with what you had.
I will try and keep this as simple as possible, if it was not invented created designed or made before the period you are portraying it is wrong and therefore should not be used to enhance your historically correct impression.
However if an item of clothing, for example, is from before your portrayal period you could possibly use it but that is all down to the common sense approach.
For example if your impression is of a 1860's gentleman of breeding and good standing, you would wear the clothing of that period and of the fashion available at that time. You would not wear a frock coat from the 1840's. But if you were portraying the same period but were not wealthy man you could wear the older frock coat because you would have had to make do with what you had.
Its the little things that finish off your impression, "THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAIL", and that can make all the difference.
For example some people like to have their whole garments hand made and every stitch done by hand, I have some I made myself but that is very time consuming and can be tedious to do, so I have a rule I follow..." IF IT CANT BE SEEN USE THE MACHINE" Anything that can be seen can be finished by hand such as button holes etc.
A pocket watch is a great prop and looks fabulous in the right circumstances and you have the right sort of watch. The sort of mistakes people tend to make, which is only a mistake if you are trying for a top quality portrayal, are having a battery operated pocket watch even worse if it has the word QUARTZ written across the face.
Oh and of course having the dreaded wristwatch!
Modern jewelery should be taken off and tattoo's covered if they are inappropriate, some may be ok.
For example some people like to have their whole garments hand made and every stitch done by hand, I have some I made myself but that is very time consuming and can be tedious to do, so I have a rule I follow..." IF IT CANT BE SEEN USE THE MACHINE" Anything that can be seen can be finished by hand such as button holes etc.
A pocket watch is a great prop and looks fabulous in the right circumstances and you have the right sort of watch. The sort of mistakes people tend to make, which is only a mistake if you are trying for a top quality portrayal, are having a battery operated pocket watch even worse if it has the word QUARTZ written across the face.
Oh and of course having the dreaded wristwatch!
Modern jewelery should be taken off and tattoo's covered if they are inappropriate, some may be ok.
Of course it goes with out saying that any period you re enact mobile phones should be banned!!!
They do not have a place in the history we portray so they should not be seen. Of course there will be times when you need to have it available for personal reasons.........put it on silent or vibrate and answer it away from others. Nothing will annoy any re-enactor more that the sound of a mobile phone ringing during an event. Or worse seeing a re-enactor in full period costume chatting away on the latest I Phone!!
They do not have a place in the history we portray so they should not be seen. Of course there will be times when you need to have it available for personal reasons.........put it on silent or vibrate and answer it away from others. Nothing will annoy any re-enactor more that the sound of a mobile phone ringing during an event. Or worse seeing a re-enactor in full period costume chatting away on the latest I Phone!!