Costume noodling for HMS Eden

[breakinglight11]

I hit the thrift store in Waltham for the first time in a couple of months-- which for me is kind of a long time --in hopes of finding something for my upcoming larp roles. Well, that store is magic if you don't overuse it, and if so will deliver exactly what you want. Though initially I thought I might go in the more "adventuress" direction, I found this lovely dress that I think I can make work for playing for Irene Adler in HMS Eden.

The dress is brown with a black mesh overlay, and it has a kind of corsety look to the bodice which made think it might be made to look Victorian. Here's a weirdly-lit closeup on it, with the little flower motif in the overlay.

And here's an awkwardly-framed picture of the dress's fabulous back, which is laced. I love, love, love laces.

The question now is how to make it more Victorian-looking. The answer is probably that it needs sleeves. So I got out this floppy, gauzy black blouse with the frilly collar and cuffs that was one of the best costuming purchases I ever made, given how often I use it to make my outfits more period. I put it on under the dress unbuttoned but arranged so that the front ruffle made a kind of jabot down the bodice.

I think that helps. Sadly it will probably cover up the lovely laces, but it's probably not Victorian to have a bare back. I tried wearing that bustle that I got at the Brandeis theater department costume sale underneath it, but it looked like a bulgy mess under the slim silhouette of this dress, so I guess it will have to stray straight-skirted. I kind of wish I had a big elaborate black hat, the kind with the wide brim and the gathered satin decoration on top. Wonder if I could get one of those without spending a ton on it. Any suggestions to dress it up further are of course welcome.

Comments

[lisefrac.livejournal.com]

Victorian evening dresses (speaking very generally, since we're covering 60-odd years here) weren't sleeveless, but they did usually show more skin than daywear. Short, cap or flutter sleeves were common, and the necklines could be cut fairly low. But yeah, bare backs, not so much :)

Bustles were only really worn in limited time periods, so no bustle isn't a game breaker. A slim skirt would have been most appropriate for early 20th century, but it could also work for an 1870s look, where the skirt was fitted in front with a gathered back - something like this - http://www.trulyvictorian.net/tvxcart/product.php?productid=46&cat=4&page=1
You could attach some more black sheer material to add that, and fasten it with a knot or tie at the knee.

One easy element to add could be maybe some sort of bolero jacket? These were popular in the time period, and could easily cover the backlessness of the dress, if you decide not to use the shirt you added.

As for hats, it's easy to get a very basic bowler hat and decorate it how you like...

I need to start thinking about my costume for this. I will probably try to use the bustled overskirt I used for my saloon girl, but I I need to make a new skirt and bodice, at the least. I'm just feeling very anti-sewing right now >.

[in-water-writ.livejournal.com]

L: I like the bolero idea... but would it be long enough to cover the backlessness?

P: If the dress is quite fitted, you can swing the gathered look by wearing a bustle over the dress instead of under. I might be picking up a bustle overskirt for HoRS, I'll let you know if I get something in a complementary color. Since our games aren't in the same slot, we can both use it easily.

[acousticshadow2.livejournal.com]

It is a super pretty dress!

[laurion]

Wow, that looks amazing! Screw period exactness (says the non-costumer in the SCA), go with what looks fantastic, feels good, and gives the idea. (Just like a general victorian accent is better than no accent, but more realistic than a perfect accent).

I would, though, recommend a splash of contrast. Maybe an oversized pin, a sash, gloves? No, not gloves, with those cuffs.