costumegirl Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 HelloNewby to costume design and need help!For a theatrical stage show am looking for 1870's American Old West costume designs, mostly for women.I have tried searchng using the usual wild west, old west, cowboys, wild bill hickock etc... but what would general townsfolk be wearing?I know I can use 'theatrical licence' but would like to have an idea of authentic costumes as well.Any help gratefully received. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Have you searched Google images? Lots of photos and drawings there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
costumegirl Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 ThanksHave been trawling Google, librarys and Pattern books but cannot seen to pin down the era. All just sems to be country & western!Have now settled on 3 patterns from Simplicity. Easy way out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w/robe Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 This should be easy which ever it is but do make sure you know if you are doing 1970's or 1870's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
costumegirl Posted March 29, 2010 Author Share Posted March 29, 2010 Whoops! Well did say I was new to this.It should have read 1870's. Moderation: Topic title edited! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w/robe Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 You need to be careful of the patterns that you are using as the way that things are cut has changed a lot in the last 140 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Homesteader_NE_1866.png (just found that, idle googling!) You could also look to see what other companies who've done your show have done- depending on the show, you will have to adapt what they 'would' have worn to what the actors can reasonably dance/move in. We did Oklahoma! last year and costumed it in traditional style and not in the twee 'gingham dresses and cowboy shirts' thing that you often get; however the one thing we didn't do that would have been lovely was put the girls in corsets, but to be fair we'd never have managed the dancing in corsets! I'm guessing that if you're looking at what folk would have worn, you're not wanting to make it twee but more realistic, which is good. In which case, look at details- shoes, hats, accessories, tights!! are important. We had white wool tights for Okla, yep it was hot as anything but looked better onstage. w/robe is right about the cuts of things not being the same but you can disguise this if you use decoration etc judiciously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 When doing research, try to be a little abstract. Find a well know event in the time period you're looking at, then research that - almost certainly you'll then find the images you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expertwitness Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 I can't help with the costumes, but I do have lots of guns and gun holsters suitable for the period www.hands-on-uk.com regards Perry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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