Help with costumes ideas

[nativeshootist]

Hi everybody,  I was looking too see if you gents can help me with costumes for the decades ranging from mid 1850 to late 1800s.  Now what I'm asking isn't for cas or sass., it's for a comic I'm looking too start and need help with character designs.  I know this isn't what many of you think you're going to read when you get on the forums and since I'm looking for what is sort of historically accurate since I want it too look somewhat good.  If you want too I can give more details on what it's going too be about, but at the moment even I'm drawing a blank on how too start it up.  I only got the setting and the time slot and the main character sort of down, so is you guys can help me out that would be greatly appreciated.

[St. George]

You really need to go to your Public Library and talk to the Librarian about this.

There are shelves full of costume designs for all periods and genres that they can point you towards - as can your local Theater group costumers.

Get more of a handle of exactly what it is that you want to do, so you can better explain your grand plan, and then give those people who got their degrees in Liberal Arts and Theater something to do...

Scouts Out!

[River City John]

Much like today, a person's dress would reflect their 1.)occupation, 2.)income and 3.)geographic location.

Best to solidify your character's outlines and then dress them appropriately based on those.

There are many period catalogs available showing clothing and the like, plus fashion plates like Godey's, etc. 


RCJ

[nativeshootist]

im being honest, you guys are no help too me. If I was someone else you'd be giving me loads of info.

[St. George]

On the contrary - it isn't always about you.

You were told where to look, and how to refine your search - not how to create a completely nebulous comic character you haven't fully formed yet.

The Public Library is an excellent point within which to start your budding comedic career, so look at the chapters on tent shows and 'meller-dramas' to get period photos of actual performers from the era.

The various Community Theater groups and High School drama teachers 'can' be of help - but first, 'you' have to do your own 'due diligence' yourself - no one is going to do any of it for you, so do the research and take notes - 'then' ask questions pertinent to those notes, and serious guys will answer.

You asked questions in order to ridicule the times for reasons of your own and expected assistance - you got responses that would allow you to attempt to dress accordingly - not 'costume' yourself - to do an accurate impression.

I'd say that that advice was help enough.

If not - too bad, so sad...

Scouts Out!

[Delmonico]

Sounds like someone don't want to help themselves.   Heck we don't even know you.

Those of us that are good with this stuff learned by doing research and what you want and your own research are all that really can.  Your information is very vague in the first place.  Whole books could not answer such a vague question.

Think about if you'd asked the same question and asked about 1950 to the late 1900's, yeah it was the same back then.

[Major 2]

" If I was someone else ... "   like whom ? pray tell  

" ....but at the moment even I'm drawing a blank on how too start it up.  I only got the setting and the time slot and the main character sort of down....


next .....

[Delmonico]

I have an idea what he means and to be honest I'm rather POed about it.   He don't even know us and anyone who does knows better.

[Delmonico]

I'll be honest with you, too, nativeshooter. If you were someone else other than the troll you seem to be you probably would be treated better.

No vale la pena.



RCJ

Wow, this must be bad, John is being harsher than me.

[River City John]

I apologize. Bad day. I have removed my unseemly outburst.

But I repeat. No vale la pena.

RCJ

[Abilene]

Peter Sherayko has a book out called The Fringe of Hollywood: The Art of Making a Western.  It is aimed at filmmakers, but the intention is to show what are the correct items for old west time periods, including guns, leather, clothing, hats, boots, spurs, saddles and so forth.

[St. George]

Read his original query - he's 'not' looking to create an 'Old West' cowboy - nor is he interested in the time frame, other than to get our assistance in ridiculing it.

He wants to build a 'comic' character, but then trolls have always had a certain comic quality, until their inherent mean-spiritedness shows itself...

Scouts Out!

[Delmonico]

I apologize. Bad day. I have removed my unseemly outburst.

But I repeat. No vale la pena.

RCJ

No, I thought it was fine and spoke the truth, never fear speaking the truth.