Flipping through all the beautiful surviving garment photos makes me feel overwhelmed sometimes. SOOO many designs I simply HAVE to make. Have you experienced this too?
Out pops a gorgeous gown that is so stunning it nearly makes you cry for the beauty of it. Ok – that one is definitely going on the list…. Then three more down and Oh! I have to have that one too – but in blue.
For most of us *really* into historical costuming this isn’t usually an issue to add multiple projects to the never-ending to-do list. But what if you are a Casual Costumer? What happens when your conscience starts whispering that even though you love it, it’s stupid to make something that you have no place to wear it to? Well…
I think that’s kind of a lame excuse to squash your creative talent. Really. I mean, who cares if you have no place to wear it! Either create one or leave it for others to make.
As humans we are designed to create. Creativity is in our genes and must be used. It can be the simplest of things like a new way to make coffee (too much sugar??), or as elaborate as engineering a skyscraper (somewhere BESIDES Dubai please). But let’s not dwell on other issues.
You’re here because you love to make historical clothing, costumes, hats, bonnets, or you just love seeing others produce them. You may not sew. You may not have ventured out of your ¼” quilting seams to try your hand at a wearable garment. Or, you are deeply involved in making costumes but only for certain time periods or themes (Steampunk is awesome!).
But there’s always that one dress… that one painting… that one hat that throws you a curve. You dream of what it would feel like hanging in your closet… or wrapped around your shoulders. The feeling of pride when you answer, “Why yes, I did make it!”
Isn’t dreaming fun? Well, yes and no. I believe it’s more fun to bring that vision to life. To funnel your own personality into a piece of fabric to where it becomes this 3-D version of the dream. To say, “Heck with reality!” and charge forward in making that dream come true. Who’s going to stop you making a full-blown copy of an 1890s Worth ball gown just because you have NO place to wear it? Well… that would be YOU.
The Conscience You is going to try and stop the Heart You that’s founded in creativity. Don’t let that happen! Follow your heart and sew what you want to!
Ok. So what if you really don’t have anywhere to wear that 1890s ball gown?
Here are a few ideas:
- Get a friend or two, or even just your spouse, to dress up with you and go to dinner. Go to the tea room you’ve always wanted to try. It’s kind of like high schoolers and prom – only this time you’re an adult and your dress is SO much better. 🙂
- Have a dress-up getaway in the neighboring town. Book that B&B and dress up the whole time you’re “on vacation.”
- Research historical societies in your area and see what kind of events they put on. If they’re public ones, dress up for the occasion.
- Or if you don’t have ANY events in your town, create one! Gather a few friends (you’ll need a few this time and not just one or two others) and schedule a picnic at the local park, or a time to view the latest exhibit at the local museum. Advertise in the Penny Saver, Craigslist, or your church bulletin that you’ll be hosting a Bring Your Own Food Victorian picnic on Saturday. Do this regularly and you’ll have many more friends AND events to wear that dream dress.
Don’t squash your talent simply because you have no place to wear a costume. Dress up at home, take photos, and share with the world online through a blog and social media. We’ll dream along with you (and be inspired too!). 🙂
Where do you wear your historical costumes?
I once wore a 1860’s day dress to the anniversary showing of Gone With The Windows at the local movie theater. Fitting hoops into that seat was a challenge! But I had a ton of fun!
The first time I had to catch a ferry home alone and then walk through a large park in my Colonial costume to get home I got over my embarrassment quickly when people stopped to chat and asked to take my photo and men doffed their hats. One old man told me I looked lovely in my bonnet. Now I feel a bit peeved when I’m ignored!
I play a British Aristocrat at a Wild/Weird West alternate history LARP (Live action role-playing) game. I get to spend entire weekends decked out in Victorian or Victorian inspired garb!
The 18th century bed gown I made that didn’t work out makes a great light robe on chilly mornings. If I can figure out how to fix the pattern it might make a cool duster to wear over jeans. I don’t see why a piece can’t work in a modern context if you choose it and the fabric well.
Oh, exactly! And smart move to keep using what you made. 🙂
I make it in suitable fabric as either an after work lounging gown or night gown. I knew I did well when I wore my medieval chatelaine gown and robe and my brother said ‘ what the heck are you wearing?’
I’m lucky to live in a city full of oddball people to the point where they made a whole TV show about it…. (Portlandia!)
Several years ago I was heading to a Renn Faire in the suburbs. I don’t drive and nobody near me was going, so I just shrugged and wore my outfit on public transit. I brought my ipod (tucked into my boned bodice, natch–who needs pockets when you have a bodice?) and stuck in my headphones so I could ignore anyone bothering me.
Nobody did, of course. I got a few smiles, but mostly people saw me–and then promptly pretended not to notice anything. Like they refused to admit anything was unusual about a woman on light rail or walking around downtown in a chemise, bodice, and several long, full skirts.
The same thing happens to me in Japanese Lolita fashion–which can be even more unusual-looking. I either get ignored, complimented, or people are politely curious. Though with Lolita I’m usually at a meet-up of people also dressed that way!
I finally bought some Truly Victorian patterns to get started, after weeks of poking that website and this one–the chemise and drawers, the 110 corset, and (of course) the petticoats. Reading your website has taught me so much and I plan to use it as a resource often! My goal is an 1890’s walking dress.
Here in Portland we have a place called The Pittock Mansion. It was built in the early 1900’s, so a little out of period, but it’s beautiful and old and old-fashioned–and open to the public, for a fee. Which means that even if I have nowhere else to wear it, I can always just go there for photos!
But we also have a local group called the Time Travelers’ Costume Guild, and they have events where I can wear, well, anything!
Thanks for your superb web site! Love it <3
I am in a historial reeinactment which takes place in the 1870s, so I am travelling back in time one a month 🙂 Love it 🙂
I have been known to wear my Viking apron dresses to the grocery store, to the local box stores, everywhere. Every now and then (though it has been a while now), I just have a dress up day for the fun of it. If toddlers can do it, why can’t I? No one looks askance at a 4-year-old out running errands with mom and dressed up as a cowboy, or Link from Zelda, or a lovely princess with her glitzy cape. I bet you the worst that will happen is that people look at you with envy for your courage and sense of fun.
My problem is that people around me– my family and my friends– think I’m silly for “wasting time and money” on something so frivolous, and they look down on me for it. Also, I have nowhere to STORE the darn thing. So, I am just sticking to small pieces — a corset here, a pair of pockets there — instead of creating a whole outfit, until the day when I have more money, more time and more space.
Or do you think I should just throw all caution to the winds? I’m interested in your views…
Holly
Sounds like you’ve already found part of your solution, as you’re already sewing little projects. I think when some of the other obstacles resolve themselves you will unleash your creative urges, regardless of others’ opinions. Don’t wait until everything in your life falls in to place to dream and to plan specifics. A few patterns won’t take up much space, and you can think through every detail before you really get started.
I want to make my own clothes (both historical and every-day) but I decided to put sewing on hold for now. My only available work space is the dining room table and I have two little girls. So for now I’m just dreaming about possibilities!
Maybe your family is really boring and you’d be doing them a service by expanding their boundaries. And more importantly – Do what YOU want not what your family expects.
I still remember the look of horror on my daughter’s face the day I first donned a frilly cap. She used to call me Lynnie the Ninny. Now her kids dress up and come to events with me.
I know you posted this several years ago, but I’m new here so first of all hello all. Second: your family sounds like mine. Whenever I do something “different” I get a lot of, “What for? What’s the point? WHY??”
My answer: Because I enjoy it. No I don’t need a civil war era dress any more than I needed my spinning wheel or my loom, but it’s fun! I like fun things, even if my fun isn’t the same as YOUR fun.
So have fun.
Yes! We are all here for the fun and learning and participating in activities that give us joy. Welcome to our Joyful Community, Kari ! 😀
Heck, throw on your costume and go mall-trawling in it! Pretend you’re looking for the Doctor. 😉
That’s awesome! Clara Oswald for the win! (OsWin!)
I have found that you can get away with wearing just about anything as long as you act as if it is perfectly normal. I wear all manner of period attire on a regular basis, and not only is it fun, but I meet fascinating new people because of it. The bonus is the satisfaction of wearing something perfectly fitted that I created myself. Life is too short not to live your dreams.
I just found this article. I love you so much!!! Seriously, I have been wanting to costume for years and years… and never started because of this exact reason. I finally decided to start and have been a huge chicken about it. Thank you for giving me the courage to dive right in! I have so many plans and will be doing a lot now, place to wear it or not. 🙂
Yay! Good for you Ellen! Now go bring those dreams to life!! 😀
Thank you!
Just found this site, and this article really inspired me to go ahead and order the fabirc for a bustle ball gown I’ve wanted to make for years 😀
Thank you, Jennifer. I really want to be you in my next life.
I’ve been eyeing those lovely antebellum circle hoops and Regency/Napoleanic fashions and wanting a reason to make one. You just made me realize. I don’t need a reason. I just have to want to.
Guess you can count me in when you start your Regency classes.
Love and admiration as always.
Thanks Diane! But don’t be me – be YOU! You are already amazing and create such fabulous ensembles. 🙂