Accessories!!! Hats, jewelry, coifs, gloves (if applicable), belts and appropriate belt-doodads for persona, shoes and boots, socks, underwear.
Figure out how to fake the hirstyles if that's possible.
For examples of belt-doodads, French 1400's could include a girdle book and an aumanierre... for me as a Timurid Persian it would include an eating knife, a pen case and a tea or rice bowl with it's own little leather carrying case.
Another thing to do is narrow down your focus so you have some really specific outfits. You can do this two ways.. narrow your focus to a specific place and period within a decade or so and make a couple outfits for that, or what I like best, copy specific outfits from particular paintings. I feel like a lot of details get lost when people do generic outfits with sleeves from one painting and skirt from another, etc etc. I have an outfit that is very close to one of the paintings of Chaucer and eventually I'll fill in the details that are missing.
Feet & head. That's what takes something from being a dress to being an outfit. The shoes you may have to buy, but experiment with the various hairstyles.
An apron, maybe, for the 1400s french outfits.
What I did once I had the t-tunics and basic geometric gowns to get through was the buckle down and focus on my period of choice (for me, early 16th century). Start with one, make the whole outfit (accessories, etc), and then make another or the next layer. Since you no longer have to worry about being 'naked' you can focus on getting right the things you really want to wear.
I recently got rid of most of my t-tunics and the like because I now have 6 kirtles (experimenting with fit/style/etc) so I no longer need the t-tunics.
I would fill out your head gear, veils, socks/hose, hoods, gloves etc. the small projects are easy and short time line to do, which is nice, and those details are what really make an outfit.
Headgear, to me, is the 'make or break' of my outfit. I don't really feel in garb until I'm wearing a cap or veil.
I echo the comments about feet and head. Jewelry is the final touch, but investing in (or learning to make) good headgear and shoes will make any outfit shine.
One thing I made for my Italian persona was a very lavishly beaded girdle/belt. Though I've little documentation for the precise style of beading on belts specifically, I felt like the prettiest princess ever in my formal outfits--and the compliments the belt got were not unwelcome either.
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Figure out how to fake the hirstyles if that's possible.
For examples of belt-doodads, French 1400's could include a girdle book and an aumanierre... for me as a Timurid Persian it would include an eating knife, a pen case and a tea or rice bowl with it's own little leather carrying case.
Another thing to do is narrow down your focus so you have some really specific outfits. You can do this two ways.. narrow your focus to a specific place and period within a decade or so and make a couple outfits for that, or what I like best, copy specific outfits from particular paintings. I feel like a lot of details get lost when people do generic outfits with sleeves from one painting and skirt from another, etc etc. I have an outfit that is very close to one of the paintings of Chaucer and eventually I'll fill in the details that are missing.
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An apron, maybe, for the 1400s french outfits.
What I did once I had the t-tunics and basic geometric gowns to get through was the buckle down and focus on my period of choice (for me, early 16th century). Start with one, make the whole outfit (accessories, etc), and then make another or the next layer. Since you no longer have to worry about being 'naked' you can focus on getting right the things you really want to wear.
I recently got rid of most of my t-tunics and the like because I now have 6 kirtles (experimenting with fit/style/etc) so I no longer need the t-tunics.
Enjoy and good luck!
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Headgear, to me, is the 'make or break' of my outfit. I don't really feel in garb until I'm wearing a cap or veil.
Sounds like you're already doing awesome!
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One thing I made for my Italian persona was a very lavishly beaded girdle/belt. Though I've little documentation for the precise style of beading on belts specifically, I felt like the prettiest princess ever in my formal outfits--and the compliments the belt got were not unwelcome either.
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2. A warm outer garment. IMO, not a cloak, as coat-type garments tend to be warmer and more practical.
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