They say confession is good for the soul.....

[gurdymonkey]

At the risk of shocking, horrifying, nay, even alienating some of you, I have a confession to make. I hate 16th century European fashion.

  

Notice anything? All my late period stuff is plain. And brown. And commoner class. Now think back to when the last time was that any of you actually saw me IN any of it.

Why? Because when I wear it, I feel like THIS:


I prefer the clean lines of a cotehardie. The Maker gave me little boobs and a pot belly, I was made for cotehardies.


When I want to be beautiful, I go Japanese:
 

If you want to look like Veronica Franco or a Cranach princess or Anne Boleyn or Viola De Lesseps, go right ahead. It's all good. It would be a very boring world if we all liked the same thing. 

Comments

[bovil.livejournal.com]

That middle picture (the toilet paper doll) is what we referred to as "The Tudor Gumdrop" (and not flatteringly, as it usually didn't display the wheel farthingale as well and gave the silhoutte of, well, a gumdrop).

I expect, without much effort (and pulling the right strings with the right friends) we could find 16th century that would be flattering on you.

But why bother?

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

I once knew a guy who did really nice men's Tudor stuff, including his own blackwork. He expressed interest in doing a skin-out women's outfit because he thought it would be fun and offered to do it for me. I thanked him, then told him to think of Ralphie in the pink bunny suit in "A Christmas Story." I suggested he offer to dress someone who would jump at the idea, otherwise it would be a criminal and heartbreaking waste of his time and talents.

[callistotoni.livejournal.com]

It's OK, I still like you. ;-) As long as you don't mind *my* obsession with 16th C. Europe, it's all good. :-)

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

Sure. At least the music's good. ;-D

[gottasing.livejournal.com]

Preach it!

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

the best part about costuming is that you can pick something that fits your personal body type, your personal style, etc. I'd be miserable in 1920's stuff - I just don't have that body type. Yet I know people who love it and look good in it. Chacon a something gout!

[bedouinchick.livejournal.com]

“The Maker gave me little boobs and a pot belly”

Sing it, sistah. That's one of the reasons I stick with my Gaza dresses. They may not be interesting to look at but I'm comfy. I will say I get a little envious when I see others in beautiful Italians, Germans, Japanese, or any other era/area. Period Levant gear just does not have the "oooh!' factor, which is why I've been wearing my OOP stuff for so long. It's more fun to wear but I'm sure there are those who don't take me seriously as a garment maker or embroiderer because of it.

BTW, not only do you look gorgeous in your Japanese garb, you look equally serene. It does something for you beyond wearing the clothing.

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

Really? That's so sweet of you to say so. I'm not sure what or why, but OK. I know it requires me to move a bit differently...

[bronx-baroness.livejournal.com]

I so understand. Pardon me while I friend you. :) I can blame Danabren
for finding you and your lovely writing!

[danabren.livejournal.com]

mwhahahaaaa

Owner of a Renaissance body says what?

[minstrlmummr.livejournal.com]

Absolutely -- I'm the first to admit, what's good for me is not necessarily good for even a tiny little bit of the nation 8)

The Japanese and the 'hardie suit you well. Especially the Japanese. (Did they have any "Loud" instruments in period?)

Me, I hate 16th century head coverings. At least, I hate the insistence that I have to hide all my hair even though that adds ten years to the look of my face. I may compromise by finding Teh Perfect Cap and perching it on top of my otherwise-visible hair -- at least I'd be wearing a hat 8)

Re: Owner of a Renaissance body says what?

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

Here's some Japanese "loud band" for you.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=zN3d6NfKFac

It's called gagaku and it dates back about 1200 years to the Heian period. Instruments include sho (a reed mouth organ), hichiriki (the loud reed instrument), ryuteki (flute), koto (a 13 foot long floor harp), biwa (a lute-like, plucked instrument) and percussion.