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Costuming/History
Jul. 14th, 2010 12:46 pmStill haven't ordered shoes, but maybe I'll make a decision on that in the next week or so. Have an appt. with the curator at AHS for next Friday morning to look at some clothing. Going to bring along a vintage jacket I have for her to look at also, and hopefully give me a timeframe for it.
She wants to add to the clothing collection over time, going up and including the 1960s. Don't think I have much that would help, but I might.... kid's clothing of course, but that's probably okay.
I'm thinking I might fit the jacket I want her to look at, after I've lost a bit more weight. If it goes back to the 1940's I could indulge in a pair of stockings with the seam up the back, like these, but I'm expecting it'll probably be 1950's. Well, I'll find out next week.
Reconstructing History has this fascinating book on Hairstyling, 1930s-1960s -- don't know if I'll need it, but I was watching an old movie the other day that reminded me that they carry this book.
And then, going back to my current project of putting together an outfit for demoing at the historical society, 18th century patterns of interest to me:
Rev War Gentleman Package
and then the Polonaise has always been of interest to me.
And of course, the Stays to go under that...
***
At this point I expect I'll start with something very basic and see how things go -- besides, I'm losing weight and changing shape, so something fitted is just going to have to wait until things stabilize a bit more. I might make simple stays to start with no straps, and leave any boning out on the sides, to make re-fitting it easier on me. Stays (like a corset, only different, but has stiffeners in it) were more for smoothing out the silhouette than for cinching in the waist. I've also seen references to it being useful for working women, as a back support while lifting heavy things -- like the kidney belt for a weight-lifter. I've worn this sort of thing before, many years ago when I wore early Tudor; made properly, it's quite comfortable.
***
At some point this summer, I'd also like to go to the Bryan Homestead. Home of William Cullen Bryant, it isn't far from here -- just over in Cummington, in fact:
Bryant Homestead
That's an early-mid 19th c. place, but it's close by, so could be a nice way to spend the day.
She wants to add to the clothing collection over time, going up and including the 1960s. Don't think I have much that would help, but I might.... kid's clothing of course, but that's probably okay.
I'm thinking I might fit the jacket I want her to look at, after I've lost a bit more weight. If it goes back to the 1940's I could indulge in a pair of stockings with the seam up the back, like these, but I'm expecting it'll probably be 1950's. Well, I'll find out next week.
Reconstructing History has this fascinating book on Hairstyling, 1930s-1960s -- don't know if I'll need it, but I was watching an old movie the other day that reminded me that they carry this book.
And then, going back to my current project of putting together an outfit for demoing at the historical society, 18th century patterns of interest to me:
Rev War Gentleman Package
and then the Polonaise has always been of interest to me.
And of course, the Stays to go under that...
***
At this point I expect I'll start with something very basic and see how things go -- besides, I'm losing weight and changing shape, so something fitted is just going to have to wait until things stabilize a bit more. I might make simple stays to start with no straps, and leave any boning out on the sides, to make re-fitting it easier on me. Stays (like a corset, only different, but has stiffeners in it) were more for smoothing out the silhouette than for cinching in the waist. I've also seen references to it being useful for working women, as a back support while lifting heavy things -- like the kidney belt for a weight-lifter. I've worn this sort of thing before, many years ago when I wore early Tudor; made properly, it's quite comfortable.
***
At some point this summer, I'd also like to go to the Bryan Homestead. Home of William Cullen Bryant, it isn't far from here -- just over in Cummington, in fact:
Bryant Homestead
That's an early-mid 19th c. place, but it's close by, so could be a nice way to spend the day.
