(no subject)
FABRICS & COLORS:
Some of the best fabrics to use are wool, twill, serge, cotton velvet, satin, taffeta, cotton, and linen.
Colors were rich and varied - garnet, plum, moss green, gold, gray, beige, brown, blue, and black. Fabric patterns were interesting and fun, including plaids, prints, paisleys, stripes, herringbone, and tweeds.
DO NOT use fluorescent or modern-looking colors or prints, and avoid obvious polyester fabrics.
THRIFT SHOP COSTUMING:
You don’t have to be a great seamstress to make a good costume for the fair. Many costumes can be created by adapting clothing found in thrift shops and used-clothing stores. Have fun hunting!
Women - Petticoats can be made by cutting off the skirts of 1950s evening gowns or any long, full-skirted dresses. White, long-sleeved blouses that button up the front or back are great. Look for knitted or crocheted shawls. Lace doilies make great day caps - just add ribbon and some silk flowers. And don’t forget gloves!
Men - Find baggy pants and taper the legs down or remove the cuffs. Buy an old vest and square off the bottom by folding under the points. Adapt white shirts by cutting off the fold-over collar right at the top and finishing off the edge. A sack coat can be made by shortening an old overcoat to fingertip length.
Movie and Book Sources for Costuming
The Dickens Christmas Fair takes place in a very specific time period. Corsets were the foundation garment of the time (for women and men a like) and the Bonnet for women and the topper for men was a staple in every proper gentlepersons wardrobe. The Dickens fair takes place in what is known historically as the industrial age. Crinolines and many, many starched petticoats held up the voluminous bell shaped skirts that were in fashion. We do not allow the high umpire waist of the 1820’s-30’s and we do not allow the high bustle of the late 1860’s-80’s. The reason for this is, Charles Dickens is the headliner in our fair, he is up and walking around greeting guests as they enjoy our show. We want to maintain a time in history that he was alive as an adult.
There are many books and movies that are excellent sources for costume manners and accent of the time we are portraying. There will soon be a recommended books and movie list on our website at www.Dickensfair.com with links to Amazon.com for both performers and guests to utilize. Below are the lists themselves for a trip to the library or a trip to the movie rental store.
- The story of Adele H. (French movie about british events. subtitled)-Women’s garments and military costume.
- Christmas Carol {Patrick Stewart} -Fabulous for all classes.
- Black Adders A Christmas carol (BBC)-worth seeing anyway.
- Oliver!- The cheesy musical. The first part of this movie has an excellent crowd scene watch it for just that.
- Oliver Twist {Elijah Wood} (Disney). The color palette is excellent for The Dockside area, or Mad Sals.
- BBC Mini series David Copperfield- A baby Harry Potter plays young David, very good movie and source for visuals.
- Nicholas Nickleby (2002)- A wonderful movie full of approvable costume ideas and colorful characters. Highly recommended for this fair.
These movies are a sampling of what is visually required for the theatrical look of the fair. You may also get mannerisms and accent from some of these movies.