Answering the top 5 Questions I get as a Costumer/Reenactor: Make the Petticoat

So I was thinking about some of the stuff I get told/asked etc about when I'm in costume whether for leisure or an event, and I really wanted to get out the big answers because its something I come across a lot. I love answering questions right then and there but I also love spreading the word beyond my personal encounters too!
So without further ado, here's the top 5 asks I get a lot as a historical costumer and reenactor, and all the answers :)


1: Aren't you hot in that??

(photo by AnnaClaire Helene @ annaclairehelene.com)

Yes. I am very hot in it. I'm sweating like a pig :) but it's ok, I'm not complaining; I chose to dress like this and I am actually really enjoying myself!
Plus also it takes me back to that time to experience how someone in the past would have felt, and so in a way, I enjoy the feeling of being authentic too. And if you know the right fabrics to wear for what occasions, you really don't get that hot. Men and women of all times had to work in the heat and here we are today!


2: How can you breathe or do anything in a corset?

Here's something really important to learn about corsets: if you can't breathe or do ANYTHING, your corset is either badly made or badly sized. Or both at the same time. Yes, it is difficult to bend all the way over or put on shoes with a corset/stays on, but if they are made well and sized right, I have absolutely no problem romping around like a crazy person. (Or breathing!) They are cut and boned in such a way to give structure and waist-reduction can be part of that, but there are very specific ways to make corsets that make them very comfortable and movable. I am still learning all the tricks, but I am always prioritizing the fit when I make garments, so usually it feels like a hug.


3: Where did you get all that?

"Well I made it!"

.... is what I want to say. In reality, I do make a lot of what I wear, but I also thrift and transform a lot. For instance, this white, early 1800's-inspired dress is actually a white blouse over a white dress with a ribbon to make the empire waist. I bought both of these articles at... (drumroll)... Goodwill! It probably cost me a couple of bucks- so if you can't afford to buy a tailored piece or even ready-made (like me :') learning how to pick out modern clothing to make it look old is really important. I might write a post on this later.


4: Can I take a photo?!!??!

Yes... but not right away.
I will almost always say yes, and the same goes for a lot of costumers out there. But some costumers have various reasons to say no- so PLEASE ask before you take a picture!! We won't bite!!! if we say no, it isn't because we don't like you, it can be for a number of other reasons, such as not being comfortable being posted to social media of a stranger; or even just that the costumer is on an outing with friends for fun and doesn't like having their picture taken in general. With reenactments its best to ask any volunteer at the event if photography is allowed, and often it is. We love being able to share our stuff with you and it's so cool to think that I'm on phones in costume in India, Spain, Mexico, Germany, Japan, Korea, China, and all across America  (to name a few I know of!)

A lot of people have also snapped my picture while I'm reenacting in public without asking, and it is assumed that since we're dressing up we're ok with it. But I sometimes have gone out in public and messed around with friends in full costume, and I do like to know when someone is taking my picture. It's just a common courtesy to ask, so please do!



And finally,

5: How can I get started in Reenacting?

(photo by AnnaClaire Helene @ annaclairehelene.com)

This is my favorite question, and something I think is best answered simply- make the petticoat. 

This has been my catch-phrase as I've gotten deeper and deeper into costuming. My first real historical garment was a black, Tudor-era-inspired corset/stays. It was something that was too big a project for me to really get it down correctly at the time, and though I still use those stays, there's a lot I'd like to fix about them. It really discouraged me when they didn't turn out perfectly, and I actually put away sewing for a long time.
Then, two years later I made my first petticoat and found that it was so much easier to gain confidence in my sewing skills when I made something so simple. If you have the clothes you are much more likely to volunteer at local events. And if you don't want to sew, there are so many reenactments that provide costumes to borrow and they always love people to mill about in costume- even without much intricate knowledge of the era, besides a brief training or even just a quick rundown of the event. Another great way to get used to being in costume in the modern world is to follow mine and a thousand other costumer's examples: force your friends to take walks and explore abandoned sites in costume! (just kidding, but seriously)
Even if no one wants to do it with you, getting out in public to walk around dressed up doesn't gain as much commentary as you'd think, and what commentary you do get is usually really sweet and encouraging. Especially if you do it in a historic area!


So start small, and take the leap- and goodness gracious,  make the petticoat!!