Go Western, Go Eastern - costuming the Verse?

[BlueCatShip]

Howdy y'all. Some folks had suggested http://www.1880westernwear.com/ , among others, for western period clothing. Check their Vintage section for 1800's styles.

I did a little looking. I'm thinking of getting a fancy vest, in case I get the chance to go to ApolloCon in Houston this summer. I'd like to get a duster coat too, but that is a bit far outside my budget.

They had some semi-reasonably priced items along with the "you must be a riverboat gambler" expensive priced clothes. -- If you're looking for men's shirts with banded or Mandarin collars, you might have better luck looking elsewhere, as theirs were around $49 US each. However, they all looked very good.

I *didn't* see shirts for further back, Colonial and very early 1800's type clothing. I actually found shirts suitable for that (pioneer settlers, frontiersmen, or "Aaarrrr!" piratical types, from Renn Faire and medieval costume clothing places.

One thing fans might consider for Asian-like clothing is a chef's coat/tunic. I found one in black with copper buttons (how cool!) that would work well, I think, and it was cheap. -- It's been awhile since I looked around for any Asian styles, and when I had, they seemed "touristy" to me, not quite what you might want for a more everyday 'Verse feel.

There was such a huge melting pot / tossed salad of cultural / historical mix used in Firefly (thank goodness) that there should be plenty to choose from.

Does anyone else have suggestions for costuming in the 'Verse?

[Les Howard]

Ohhhh.. I like!  Must resist urge to buy more vests...

[Echo]

i must resist to buy another pair of these: http://www.wwmerc.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=CM83&type=store as i have already out worn two pairs and they ain't exactly cheep.

[Nick Edwards]

I think I recall there being a Browncoat Costumes on a budget segment that James and Carolyn did back in season 1. I certainly recall there being some pics of "10 minute" costumes.

 Nick

[Echo]

The price of the actual trousers not a bother, nore is the sewing of the dark brown stripes down the legs (I can't sew for toffee so mum does it, my mum is a legand.), its just fricking shipping...it dooms us all.

I do have a rather cunning Jayne hat that my mum knitted me for my birthday last year.  I saw the box under the Christmas tree(my birthdays in December, believe it or not).  It was all wrapped in brown paper and tied with string.  a little part of me turned into fan mode when I saw it.  I picked it up, cafefully unwrapped it and pulled the box open to reveal my Jayne hat protected in straw and with a letter from Jayne's mom that my own mum had written in calligraphy.  It was spot on to the original from "The Message" from the wrapping to the letter. 

Apparently she'd sneaked the dvd out of my box set one day when I was at college and watched the episode to see what I was raving about and made it spot on for me.  The Firefly fan inside of me exploded in pure joy at the effort she'd been to just to make me the perfect 19th birthday gift.

Best birthday preasent ever.

[BlueCatShip]

Hey! Wild West Mercantile ( http://www.wwmerc.com/ ) is having a sale from March 15 through 17. I thought anyone who's looking for Old West or Verse costuming would like to know.

I've discovered a couple of things: One, it's been too long since I've bought a suit. I don't know my measurements. Two, I still need to lose a little weight, to get back to the size I want to fit. That means it'll be a while before I buy an Old West style frock coat and trousers, vest and shirt. I believe I have a pair of suspenders. I'll need to find 'em.

I also discovered that I needed to stop and think about the character or characters, in order to get the clothing right, and to control my budget to sane limits. I'll be buying a piece or two at a time.

Do I want an educated city slicker, a gentleman, possibly a gambler or rogue or wealthy landowner or cattle baron? (Or sheep baron?) (I couldn't pull off a gunslinger.)

Or do I want a rough-and-ready country farmer or ranch hand or scout, or someone who's "complicated," who's chosen to live out in the country, a mountain man or trader, or just an everyday sort?

Or...wouldn't a pioneer who's educated and then moved out west (or to the Rim) have something more refined for best-dressed "Sunday go to meetin'" wear, and something else for daily wear, possibly with somethng for the big shindig or hoedown, or something yet again for out on the range?

Yes, it needs a little thought.

No, actually, I think I'm just rationalizing because I saw a suit I really like/want, and another couple of items that would not suit that, but that look too great to want to pass up.

They've got many kinds of browns, some grays, and black, but not much in the way of blues or other colors. They *do*, however, have really good pieces for the 1800's (19th Century) period Western feel.

When I get a few things in, I may ask friends to take pictures to post. I am hoping against hope to make time to attend ApolloCon in Houston this summer, and if I do, I'll go in a Verse-style costume at least one day.

I'm also trying to keep in mind, that for costuming the Verse, there are modern, high-tech elements and lots of "foreign" cultural elements mixed in, so not to go strictly with the Old West period.

[BlueCatShip]

I bought my costume items and received partial shipment. Actually, I couldn't restrain myself and bought a couple of other Old West items.

Dern if I didn't go back to the site and see a "dragon vest" which mixes West and East perfectly, so I'll wear it instead of the one I'd planned.

Now to locate a tailor 'round here. Just got forum word from a friend who will also be going to the con, so there'll definitely be photos to show off.

LOL, this will be the first time I've gone in costume, but my third or fourth convention. -- Dunno if I'll think up a skit or attend the costume judging or masquerade or dance. Might.

Hmm... After looking, my suspenders have clips, not buttons. Might need old-style suspenders for this. Have to get out my boots and see if the brown or the black pair are in good shape, and get used to wearing them again. Cowboy hat? It'll suit the costume just fine.

The one thing I'm debating is, I'm thinking of getting a leather or canvas bag, so I'm not wearing a modern fanny pack or backpack with an 1800's period Western costume.

LOL, don't worry, this is not the Buckaroo Banzai / Dude Western style outfit. LOL, though it'd be fun to do a Buckaroo Banzai costume sometime.

Hah, I've gotta remind myself *not* to be self-conscious and to be "in character" a little, for the con. After all, everybody there's going to be fannish. (I've done skits or small plays, but I've never gone to a con in costume. Can ya tell I'm feeling shy? How silly of me. :blush: )

Should be great fun to catch up to the one friend and meet some new folks or see some folks I've met before. -- ApolloCon was just starting out the first two years I went, but now should be a little better organized. (If you can call the chaos of a con "organized" at any time, haha.)

Never been to DragonCon or ComicCon; won't get to go this year, but I'd love to make it some year and attend a live Signal podcast or live ScapeCast podcast.

[Corky Kneivel]

Ohhhh.. I like!  Must resist urge to buy more vests...

Simon Tam...is that you?!?

...I do have a rather cunning Jayne hat that my mum knitted me for my birthday last year.  I saw the box under the Christmas tree(my birthdays in December, believe it or not).  It was all wrapped in brown paper and tied with string.  a little part of me turned into fan mode when I saw it.  I picked it up, cafefully unwrapped it and pulled the box open to reveal my Jayne hat protected in straw and with a letter from Jayne's mom that my own mum had written in calligraphy.  It was spot on to the original from "The Message" from the wrapping to the letter. 

Apparently she'd sneaked the dvd out of my box set one day when I was at college and watched the episode to see what I was raving about and made it spot on for me.  The Firefly fan inside of me exploded in pure joy at the effort she'd been to just to make me the perfect 19th birthday gift.

Best birthday preasent ever.

That's awesome.

[Echo]

I really was!

[Les Howard]

Ohhhh.. I like!  Must resist urge to buy more vests...

Simon Tam...is that you?!?

Nah, I tend not to be nearly as fancified and refined as Simon in my taste for vests...

[Echo]

I have to admit I do own several fanciful Waistcoats which I wear at work.  My fave is a rich red one which is officially my Simon Tam waistcoat.  The best thing is they were all deadly cheap, under £5, I do love charity shops!

[Echo]

I tell you what I was rewatching Buffy for the first time in years and Xander was wearing this Hawaiian shirt...it took me a few seconds for my fangirl section of my brain to kick in and go OMG thats Wash's dino shirt! LOL! I lost mine years ago...it fell to bits and I've never been able to find a replacement.

[BlueCatShip]

Update: Life interfered with life for awhile, but now I'm back on track. Still have to locate a tailor and get my suit coat size, to order the frock coat. Still have to buy my con tickets.

I received the items I ordered, including the really great dragon vest. (I can't find the link, dagnabit.) It's red and black, not a thick brocade, but that sort of embroidery. Looks fantastic, though a lot more showy than I'm used to wearing. Heheh. Definitely wearing it for the costume. I also got a royal blue "Richland" vest that looks fancy but wonderful.

The overall outfit, in case you're interested, is an Old West period frock coat and suit in a nice greyish-brown. Very shiny. It's the "Gunfighter" model from Frontier Classics. LINK. Yes, I spent a heap of coin, but I figure I can get a lot of wear out of the costume for scifi or hysterical, er, historical purposes. The latter, if I get ambitious and try acting or fanfilms. Anyway, that's what I'm telling my dubious budget-minded conscience.

Their "Dakota" coat reminds me of Mark Twain reenactors. Of perhaps more interest for Firefly fans, the "Richmond" vest looks authentic to the American Civil War era, and the pattern would fit easily into the Verse, with its almost Mandarin collar.

[BlueCatShip]

Ah, there it is. A little more huntin' turned up the Wah Maker Dragon Vest. LINK. The photo there really doesn't do it justice. I'll see about getting a photo up. Will have to scrounge up a willing hand to take a photo, so watch this space next week some time.

[Satai]

Costuming is entertaining indeed. I just recently invested in a brown (what else) bowler hat. A must have for any Browncoat gentleman with roots in the community see