What is your costume?

[Pingo]

There has been some talk on the boards of people's costumes, the wearing of them and how they change things and what people are working on.

 

So I'd like to throw open the question, What is your costume?

 

It can be any approach.  Are you working on one now?  Are you a fan who appreciates them but doesn't make them?  Do you have a favorite costume?  Do you have favorite memories of one?  Do you like realism, or abstraction, history, sci fi, or fantasy?  Does costuming connect to your gaming or other hobbies?  When and where do you wear costumes?  Are you making something for another person?  Or for a doll maybe?  What's your favorite one you've seen?  What would you make if you had the materials and time?

 

***

 

I'll start.

 

I have a reproduction late-eighteenth century dress in a big floral print in shades of red and blue on white, complete with undergarments, big pockets, mitts, a ruffled cap, and cocked hat that I had been wearing to our neighborhood's annual Fourth of July parade.  

 

But I've been feeling weirder about it in the last few years since late eighteenth century dress has become political in a direction I am not.

 

So I've found myself turning towards the struggles of the Suffragists a century ago.  I've been reading old mail order catalogues from the First World War and checking out the eminently practical suits women wore at the time -- big pockets everywhere!

 

At this point I have plans for nearly everything except a suit.  I have undergear and petticoats, a blouse, nearly acceptable shoes, hats to be modified, a good pattern for spats, and a pageant-style banner edged with green and purple ribbon* ready to be painted front and back with "Votes for Women".

 

At this point it would be nice to make a historically accurate suit, but looking at what I have, I think it would be a fairly convincing impression with any reasonably matched jacket and calf-length skirt.

 

 

 

 

*Those are the colors of the English suffragists, not the US ones, but I'm okay with that.

[knarthex]

I have a "Main" garb, and a "secondary" garb...

 

The Main is my "Blacks"

That is my normal costume at Ren Faires when I can attend....

 

My Secondary is the "Drow"

This costume is a derivation of the Blacks, and is worn seldom as the make up can be a pain to do...

(It started with Black Pancake make up, and Black Camo paint, but now I use Black Body paint sprayed through an inexpensive Badger Airbrush... In both cases, I need help to do the back of the ears and my neck....

I have also decided that I am going to stop spraying my hands, and keep my gauntlets on, especially for pics....)

On the other hand, It does get quite a bit of notice....

 

There are slight variations on both, weapons, belt pouches, etc But the main "Utility belt" and boots are a constant....

 

I am debating trying to do a hobgoblin, but he would likely look like an orange drow with big WoW ears.....

Edited March 5, 2017 by knarthex

[Mehman]

Does formal ritual count? I wear a brown robe with mantle and hood for that. I'm very much the medieval monk ! The two pieces are made from very thick fabric (mole skin or mule skin - something like that) and it's more comfortable in the winter so, seeing how East Texas only gets two weeks for that season, it doesn't come out often for outdoor activities. Indoor is usually fine.

 

I haven't performed formal ritual for some time now - at least since my disabilities 'happened' upon me. I can't get down to the ground to do the markings anymore or stand for very long to do stuff. Now that I think about it, I could probably work around all that if I put my mind to it. No one wants to hear about that. I digress.

 

The robe should still fit, even after all these years. I've only gone up one pant size since then and it was roomy the last I checked. Who knows - maybe I'll shrug it on one day.

[Kheprera]

I never had a dedicated costume, but currently don't have one. I want one, but can't seem to find patterns or such in my size (I used to be so much smaller).

 

I have an idea in my head, but need help getting it all together.

[haldir]

I rarely ever wear a costume. Love seeing them. I guess it goes back to grade school & my fear of being seen in one.

 

Thou I will admit it kinda stems to the cost of it. Take Reapercon for example. Probably be the only time I wear a costume as I don't do anything at home that warrants wearing one. Costs for a 1 time use kinda outweighs the that.

 

We shall see thou. If anything I can always bring back the flying squirrel. Thou maybe as a pirate this year.. 

[etherial]

I'm in the SCA, so I do a lot of sewing, but mostly garb*, not costumes. When I act, it's usually in found clothing. I do have a Wreck-It Ralph cosplay consisting of a handmade pair of red overalls and a storebought orange shirt and a Steven Universe cosplay consisting of a licensed t-shirt, a hand-painted saucer sled shield, and a pink katana we bought at Penn Ren.

 

*The difference between garb and costumes is nebulous, and mostly revolves around how much the design and assembly are built around fit, cost, look, and durability. If you cook over an open fire in it, it's definitely garb. If it falls apart by the end of the show/con/whatever, it's definitely a costume.

[Crowley]

57 minutes ago, etherial said:

I'm in the SCA, so I do a lot of sewing, but mostly garb*, not costumes. When I act, it's usually in found clothing. I do have a Wreck-It Ralph cosplay consisting of a handmade pair of red overalls and a storebought orange shirt and a Steven Universe cosplay consisting of a licensed t-shirt, a hand-painted saucer sled shield, and a pink katana we bought at Penn Ren.

 

*The difference between garb and costumes is nebulous, and mostly revolves around how much the design and assembly are built around fit, cost, look, and durability. If you cook over an open fire in it, it's definitely garb. If it falls apart by the end of the show/con/whatever, it's definitely a costume.

And this is why, even for my costumes, I try to make them clothing/garb!

 

Current costume is a knock off Tim the Enchanter outfit that transitions nicely into a discount jedi robe. Hope to improve upon it by ReaperCon. I have a pirate costume in progress, but it's been in progress for several years now... uh... like 6... pre-Masters degree... And the ex took the pattern for the jacket. However, she left her jacket too, so... *shrug*

[Inarah]

3 hours ago, Pingo said:

 

It can be any approach.  Are you working on one now?  Are you a fan who appreciates them but doesn't make them?  Do you have a favorite costume?  Do you have favorite memories of one?  Do you like realism, or abstraction, history, sci fi, or fantasy?  Does costuming connect to your gaming or other hobbies?  When and where do you wear costumes?  Are you making something for another person?  Or for a doll maybe?  What's your favorite one you've seen?  What would you make if you had the materials and time?

 

 

I have been making costumes since high school.  I did a couple of school plays, then college theater. Nothing worth recalling, there was no budget. Then there was SCA, and renfest, Halloween, and dance, and convention cosplay, and now I have closets in 3 rooms stuffed.  I really enjoy the creation process, designing and seeing it all come together.   I had to cut back 5-6 years ago because my arthritis leaves me with less dexterity and energy than I'd like. 

 

I've seen many gorgeous and clever costumes. Too many to remember, and every event there are new ones. It seemed for a while that costuming was "out",  but I'm seeing amazing new things from young cosplayers lately.  New materials and technology and the internet have really changed things since I started. 

 

I once wanted to get into rev war or civil war reenactment.  I love late 18th century fashion, and those big hoop skirts of the mid 19th.  I had several opportunities that didn't go the way I'd hoped. 

 

Dolls are a new thing. I've tried a few times, have some unfinished dolls, but recently found a pattern I like and have completed her. It's a simple rag doll, but she has character.  I think she may become a travelling doll and show up in photos everywhere. 

 

I'm working on new costumes for husband and self for R'con this year.  Going with the river pirate/fantasy theme. Won't say more than that because the design is still pretty fluid at this stage.  I'm hoping more people come in costumes and don't feel self-conscious about it.  I'm willing to help brainstorm, offer advice or technical help to anyone who wants it. 

 

 

 

Edited March 6, 2017 by Inarah

[etherial]

5 minutes ago, David Brawley said:

And this is why, even for my costumes, I try to make them clothing/garb!

Oh yeah. I have a holocaust cloak from when I was in Measure for Measure. It's so comfortable.

[Talae]

We have been going with family "themed shirt costumes." Things like everyone wearing a different Power Ranger or Ninja Turtles shirt. They attract some attention due to the group nature, but are easy enough to still handle with little ones.

 

For Halloween the kids dress in more complete costumes, but we have stayed with the shirts as parents. Prior to kids, costumes were more elaborate and typically done for themed parties (pirates, Native Americans, undead, etc).

[Loim]

I had a Dark Jedi costume based off of a character from Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight that I made for Halloween and for the premier of Episode 1. A year or so ago I gifted it to my youngest niece as it no longer really fit me. I'm working on remaking it, and upgrading it with some better accessories and a new lightsaber. I'm also working on a mail hauberk, but I'm having a bit of trouble finding a good pattern for the style I want that isn't free. I know, I know. I'm a cheapskate. Once I get the hauberk finished I'd like to kit out the rest of a viking costume. Just because. 

 

I have it on authority from my best friend's 3 year old daughter that she and I are dressing as witches this coming Halloween. Not sure if we're going good witch or bad though. I guess I'll wait until she tells me. 

[Darkmeer]

My daily costume is that of a sane adult.  We all know that's not true.  If you have any doubts, just ask my mother, she'll tell you I'm crazy!  (I wish I was joking there )

 

I've never had a true, dedicated costume.  I tend to do closet cosplay, I've done Luigi (with my wife being Princess Toadstool and they're going incognito... because, well, Mario would be jealous ), we took our kids trick or treating like that, and a few adults got it and laughed out loud, the rest just think we are weird.  My kids like video game and TV show cosplay (Adventure Time's Finn & Jake were this year's costumes for the boys). 

 

If I were going to do a costume, I'd likely pick some form of ranger-type.  Simple garb and easy to put together.  Or a Lumberjack. 

[knarthex]

3 hours ago, Aryanun said:

I never had a dedicated costume, but currently don't have one. I want one, but can't seem to find patterns or such in my size (I used to be so much smaller).

 

I have an idea in my head, but need help getting it all together.

Shout out!

 

There are a lot of creative folks around here!

[Sylverthorne]

Hrrm. Costumes are fun; I've still got a lot of the dance gear that we wore while I was learning belly dance; most of which is nowhere near period, but it stays where it's put, more or less. If it doesn't, you end up trailing bits all over and most of it is caltrop-quality.. except the veils. Beads and coins are especially bad for escaping that way.

 

I don't have pictures; didn't think to get Mr. Thorne to take any, but I do have a more-or-less current goblin costume, druid type. I need to rebuild my hood, or get my hands on a suitable wig, though. My hair's too long to dye the lot fire-orange. ^^;

And I found a furry poof that I need to decide how to incorporate... Heh.

 

I last wore it to Paizo-con.. last year. I'm figuring to wear it again, and mebbe bring it to ReaperCon, if it works out.

[Unruly]

I've got some quickly made tunics for wearing at SCA events, and that's about it at this point in time. And even then I wear a pair of black basketball shorts with them because the tunics are about knee length, I have no period correct legwear, and I wear boxers so I don't want the twig and berries to slip out when I sit down. All of my tunics are super plain, single color, basically a folded in half sheet type deal. I need to find 14th century German patterns so I can start working on some new stuff, and I need to make myself a form so that I can fit everything properly. I've got all sorts of linen that I've bought over the last few years, but I've just never made anything because I don't have patterns.

 

Anyone got any 14th century patterns? C'mon, man, I'm really jonesing here. I'll do stuff for some patterns, man. Like, I'll do some stuff, man. I'll even settle for 13th and 15th century, man...

*scratches neck vigorously*

 

As far as a straight-up costume I'd love to make, I'd love to get a vacuum forming setup and make myself a Zaku costume from Mobile Suit Gundam. And a Zeon uniform to go with it. But that requires a lot more skill, time, and monetary investment than I currently have.

Spoiler

 

 

Edited March 6, 2017 by Unruly