Finding Your Costume Style

If you're in a group of historical reenactors, you probably have already found your costume style. The group will set the time frame into which your costume must fit, give or take a few years (or possibly decades). One important thing to remember if you're going to take liberties with the time frame in a historical context: always go back in time from the time frame, not forward. Your historical character might like to wear garments from an earlier generation, but they certainly can't wear something that hasn't been invented yet!

Here's an example. Say your group reenacts the Civil War, circa 1864. By that time, the crinoline and hoops had begun to gravitate away from the circular mode of the previous decade, toward the back of the dress. While those who could afford it probably adopted the new design immediately, those of lesser means or whose information about fashion was limited to what could be smuggled through enemy lines still wore the round crinolines. Shoulders were still sloping and the sleeve beginning on the upper arm rather than the shoulder line, but the fashion was changing ever so slightly.

Another example: During the Tudor period, the earliest wide skirt used the Spanish farthingale, which belled out much like the later hoop skirts of the 1860s, though in a straighter line from waist to floor. Successive fashion mania went through wide farthingales and even into the wheel. However, only those at Court followed fashion religiously. Changes in style took their time making their way down through the echelons of society.

"But I'm not in a group!" you say. "I just want to do something I'll like."

Great! Time is your oyster, to paraphrase a thought. You have all of history at your disposal. Look through books on costume history, browse images on the web, find what you like. If you simply want to add a few period touches to your everyday clothes, you can!

You can choose designs that will make the most of your shape, no matter what it is.  If you're especially slender, early Regency dress may appeal to you. Muscular man? Try adding a little Norse to your outfit, or some Wild West. Not enough to look costume-y, but enough to give you the satisfaction that you look different from the rest of the herd without looking ridiculous.

In the end, only you can decide your costume style. You may find more than one historical period appeals to you. If that's the case, you can mix it up as you please. I love lots of different historical periods and styles.

Which one is your favorite? I hope you'll share it with us here!