Request for Help from the Ladies

[Johan Steele]

Ladies in particular;

I have a serious problem, my wife makes period clothing for herself and others using Period Impressions in particular for herself and adults and Elizibeth Clark when appropriate for children. She uses period photos & magazine prints for modifications and trim ideas. She's outright fanatical about getting the patterns and look correct. Her creations for other have met w/ great success looking outstanding. The problem is that whenever she makes something for herself she feels it makes her look horrible, 20-40 pounds heavier than she is. She has begun to hide behind our daughter or avoids the camera altogether when she's at a Living History. She blames her Mae West figure. I don't know what to think.

For me it is becoming unsettling that something she used to really enjoy is bothering her so much. Can anyone give me suggestions of a different style or kind of clothing that might help her out? Her primary portrayal is a Free Woman of color and her persona is not the issue. Her current irritation is all the clothes IMO.

Signed poor dumb husband who is willing to do whatever it takes for his better half.

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Request for Help from the Ladies

I don't know if anyone can really find a solution... it can be difficult to look at ourselves not with modern eyes, but mid-century eyes. I've enjoyed corresponding with your wife in the past--if you'd like, use my email address and send a snapshot--there may be some dressmaking tricks that will help with the feeling of "oversized".

[Tabbico]

Re: Request for Help from the Ladies

I sometimes feel the same way, with my ample figure. I find shawls work wonders at hiding a lot. When you wear one, it's hard to tell where you "begin", so to speak.

[SouthernMag]

Re: Request for Help from the Ladies

It is hard to say without having seen your wife in her period clothing but as a large woman here are my tricks of the trade so to speak.
1. Corsetry is vital, it must, must, must fit well and be an appropriate type of corset for the figure. Larger ladies usually require a gusseted corset in order to prevent the shelf syndrome which is a sure fire way to make one feel really FAT. An ill fitting corset for me, has a psychological effect as well, since I am uncomfortable, I feel bad all over.
2. Fit of the dress bodice, although it sounds counter productive by modern standards, a too loose bodice will make a larger woman look larger. The bodice should fit very closely with little ease. A good fit is slenderizing.
3. Unless I am making a cotton wash dress, I like to use a bodice with a point at front and back waist. These bodices tend to be a bit longer in the waist and the point is slimming to the torso because it elongates it somewhat visually.
4. Although the period norm is for the waistline to be slightly above the natural waistline, I find that for me it looks much better to have the waist right at my natural waistline when wearing a bodice with a straight waistline.
5. The best sleeves for a more slimming look are, in my opinion, coat sleeves (I like mine to be very slender and fit close to the arm as well, not the fuller, fluffier ones). Bishops without gathers at the armscye are second. Any sleeve that has a lot of fullness at the armscye will make one look larger.

Hope this helps some. As Liz said, it does take some getting used to seeing oneself in period clothing. I still struggle with looking in the mirror at me with a period hairstyle, talk about big, round, face LOL.

Maggie Reese