As a theatre owner with rental stock I get calls for "authentic" period costumes all of the time. When questioned as to what they mean most people don't really know, that's just what they heard from somewhere. They don't really want whale bone corsets and horsehair suits. They just want to look the part.
In our costume closet we have divided our stock into several different categories. If placed on a timeline it would break down like this. First we have ancient, these include biblical and roman type costumes, Cleopatra and Marc Antony would fall in this category.
Then there are medieval and storybook costumes. This category includes blousy "poet" shirts, wench and princess dresses and the like.
Then we have western/ Victorian. This is the first of the modern categories and can be pretty broad. Generally speaking if you put a man in a high button jacket with a string tie, bowler and spats, you will get away with anything from 1850-1920. Same holds true for the ladies in a high collar, floor length dress.
From there we move into the jazz/big band era which ranges from 1910-1950 and includes a lot of ground. You can find fairly good photographic references for much of this time period probably right in your own family. Men wore hats and jackets, ladies wore skirts, hats and gloves. It was a formal era, but also brought us the birth of leisure.
The modern era is generally understood, and sometimes even remembered by most costumers. Just remember you're going for effect not authenticity. Use accessories to further the illusion. A great purse that just screams 1964 might be just what you need to set an outfit apart form the rest.
Gloves, ties, vests and overalls are all examples of things still used today that have an antique feel. Using modern versions of these with a vintage feel goes a long way! Most audience members will believe what you make believable, so wear it like it fits the character!
When working on “period “ costuming try to balance the demands of the production with the practicalities of the modern world. Most men will feel awkward enough wearing a tie, hat, vest, jacket and topcoat without you adding a “legit” removable celluloid collar. Remember the goal is to add to the story telling ability of your actors and not to provide them with a history lesson.
In our costume closet we have divided our stock into several different categories. If placed on a timeline it would break down like this. First we have ancient, these include biblical and roman type costumes, Cleopatra and Marc Antony would fall in this category.
Then there are medieval and storybook costumes. This category includes blousy "poet" shirts, wench and princess dresses and the like.
Then we have western/ Victorian. This is the first of the modern categories and can be pretty broad. Generally speaking if you put a man in a high button jacket with a string tie, bowler and spats, you will get away with anything from 1850-1920. Same holds true for the ladies in a high collar, floor length dress.
From there we move into the jazz/big band era which ranges from 1910-1950 and includes a lot of ground. You can find fairly good photographic references for much of this time period probably right in your own family. Men wore hats and jackets, ladies wore skirts, hats and gloves. It was a formal era, but also brought us the birth of leisure.
The modern era is generally understood, and sometimes even remembered by most costumers. Just remember you're going for effect not authenticity. Use accessories to further the illusion. A great purse that just screams 1964 might be just what you need to set an outfit apart form the rest.
Gloves, ties, vests and overalls are all examples of things still used today that have an antique feel. Using modern versions of these with a vintage feel goes a long way! Most audience members will believe what you make believable, so wear it like it fits the character!
When working on “period “ costuming try to balance the demands of the production with the practicalities of the modern world. Most men will feel awkward enough wearing a tie, hat, vest, jacket and topcoat without you adding a “legit” removable celluloid collar. Remember the goal is to add to the story telling ability of your actors and not to provide them with a history lesson.
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