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nuranarI seem to take unannounced blog-vacations, most particularly during the Christmas holidays, but also at other periods in the year when I am either (a) extraordinarily busy or (b) extraordinarily releaxed. In either case, I tend to not want to spend time on LJ, because I have other things I need or want to do.
A daunting result is that I have several weeks' worth of potential posts swirling around my brain, and no idea where to start. I suppose I'll start with the outfit I threw together for the DFWCG's trip to see the second Sherlock Holmes movie.
I'm not too big a fan of late Victorian styles, and have yet to feel the desire to make any bustle dress, natural form dress, or Belle Epoch dress. Besides, I didn't have time. I would have gone in regular clothes, except that it occurred to me that dressing a la Adler (i.e. in men's clothing) is not only a tribute to the first movie, but actually true to the original Holmes story, "A Scandal in Bohemia."
So I raided my brothers' and dad's reenacting wardrobes and turned up the following:
* White pleated-front shirt (Bro. No. 3's) (and actually made by me for Christmas lo, many moons ago)
* Green changeable faux silk bow tie (Bro. No. 2's)
* Suspenders (Dad's) (the only ones not broken [i.e., Bro. No. 3's] and readily accessible)
* Flowered waistcoat (Bro. No. 3's)
* Wool felt short-crowned stovepipe hat (Dad's)
The important thing missing is trousers. I could go swimming in Dad's, and even if I'd found a pair of the boys' to fit, it would have been made of sky blue wool or jeanscloth and hence unsuitable. So I figured I could manage to improve or even throw together something in time.
My wardrobe is very, very slim on pants of any kind, but I found I'd experimented enough with a couple of vintage patterns to be sure they'd fit closely enough. I had to buy fabric (ouch!), because my stash is mostly Good Fabric, and I really didn't want to use really nice fabric for a likely one-off event like this. Besides, I don't accumulate fabric that's bland enough for Victorian trousers. My stash is much prettier. ;)
I got some dark gray herringbone suiting, 100% synethetic, but with a marvelous weight, sheen, and drape. It was great to sew on and to wear. I used the Smooth Sailing pattern from Wearing History, changing the front pleats to darts, and tapering the side seams very slightly. I made them knickers by putting on an old UFO of the original Sporty Separates and tying scraps just below my knee to get the right length, then adding maybe an inch overall. I took another easy out by not doing a lapped opening of any kind, but rather putting a vintage metal zipper directly into the side seam. So not period, and I wish it didn't show quite so much, but it was fast!
The fit was overall okay, but I'm glad this is something I didn't invest a lot of time on. I'll get back to the trousers experiment when I lose a little more weight, but suffice it to say that I'm aware of a few fitting issues.
I ran into an unexpected construction difficulty when I tried to find out if actual knickers were pleated or gathered into the cuffs. I couldn't find an answer! Except that somehow the cuffs were integrated with garters to hold up the stockings. (!) I wasn't going to be that fancy, so I just gathered it in and called it good.
To finish it off, since I disliked being without a coat, I pulled out a rain poncho from our very earliest years at reenacting. It's essentially a poncho, except with an assymetrical buttoned opening and high collar, so it can be worn like a very dramatic cape. I was happy with it, at least! And I wore my Miz Mooz Boots of Awesomeness, because they were black, tall, and look liked Movie!Adler's very non-period-menswear high-heeled boots.
Anyway, pictures!
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jenthompson also dressed a la Adler, but with a more street-gang vibe!
(photo by Jen Thompson)
Her straight face was a lot better than mine!
(Photo by Jen Thompson)
And this one is just funny to me. I didn't even really try to look like a guy - and good thing!
(Photo by Colleen)
And here's me with theraincoat cape:
A daunting result is that I have several weeks' worth of potential posts swirling around my brain, and no idea where to start. I suppose I'll start with the outfit I threw together for the DFWCG's trip to see the second Sherlock Holmes movie.
I'm not too big a fan of late Victorian styles, and have yet to feel the desire to make any bustle dress, natural form dress, or Belle Epoch dress. Besides, I didn't have time. I would have gone in regular clothes, except that it occurred to me that dressing a la Adler (i.e. in men's clothing) is not only a tribute to the first movie, but actually true to the original Holmes story, "A Scandal in Bohemia."
So I raided my brothers' and dad's reenacting wardrobes and turned up the following:
* White pleated-front shirt (Bro. No. 3's) (and actually made by me for Christmas lo, many moons ago)
* Green changeable faux silk bow tie (Bro. No. 2's)
* Suspenders (Dad's) (the only ones not broken [i.e., Bro. No. 3's] and readily accessible)
* Flowered waistcoat (Bro. No. 3's)
* Wool felt short-crowned stovepipe hat (Dad's)
The important thing missing is trousers. I could go swimming in Dad's, and even if I'd found a pair of the boys' to fit, it would have been made of sky blue wool or jeanscloth and hence unsuitable. So I figured I could manage to improve or even throw together something in time.
My wardrobe is very, very slim on pants of any kind, but I found I'd experimented enough with a couple of vintage patterns to be sure they'd fit closely enough. I had to buy fabric (ouch!), because my stash is mostly Good Fabric, and I really didn't want to use really nice fabric for a likely one-off event like this. Besides, I don't accumulate fabric that's bland enough for Victorian trousers. My stash is much prettier. ;)
I got some dark gray herringbone suiting, 100% synethetic, but with a marvelous weight, sheen, and drape. It was great to sew on and to wear. I used the Smooth Sailing pattern from Wearing History, changing the front pleats to darts, and tapering the side seams very slightly. I made them knickers by putting on an old UFO of the original Sporty Separates and tying scraps just below my knee to get the right length, then adding maybe an inch overall. I took another easy out by not doing a lapped opening of any kind, but rather putting a vintage metal zipper directly into the side seam. So not period, and I wish it didn't show quite so much, but it was fast!
The fit was overall okay, but I'm glad this is something I didn't invest a lot of time on. I'll get back to the trousers experiment when I lose a little more weight, but suffice it to say that I'm aware of a few fitting issues.
I ran into an unexpected construction difficulty when I tried to find out if actual knickers were pleated or gathered into the cuffs. I couldn't find an answer! Except that somehow the cuffs were integrated with garters to hold up the stockings. (!) I wasn't going to be that fancy, so I just gathered it in and called it good.
To finish it off, since I disliked being without a coat, I pulled out a rain poncho from our very earliest years at reenacting. It's essentially a poncho, except with an assymetrical buttoned opening and high collar, so it can be worn like a very dramatic cape. I was happy with it, at least! And I wore my Miz Mooz Boots of Awesomeness, because they were black, tall, and look liked Movie!Adler's very non-period-menswear high-heeled boots.
Anyway, pictures!
jenthompson also dressed a la Adler, but with a more street-gang vibe!(photo by Jen Thompson)
Her straight face was a lot better than mine!
(Photo by Jen Thompson)
And this one is just funny to me. I didn't even really try to look like a guy - and good thing!
(Photo by Colleen)
And here's me with the
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