So where do you head if you want to be kitted out for a reenactment of the Gettysburg battle? Well, in Gettysburg, you head to the Gettysburg Emporium. A cadre of seamstresses are employed to make you look like you stepped out of 1863. I had to see for myself, and maybe even get a dress (even if just for Halloween).
The Emporium can meet all your 1863 clothing needs-shoes, hats, breeches, and for the lady nurses and town ladies, skirts, gowns, gloves, undergarments. Two ladies, re-enactors themselves, talked me through the whole set up. An authentically dressed lady of 2026 can spend $3,000 to look 1863. How so? The clothing is custom, and you need three billion undergarments to do it right. I couldn't decide between a day dress for the working woman (think plain calico head to toe) or a tea dress (much more flaboyant and pricey). Then I spied a brown silk wonder that was on consignment. So it was more 1880s, but it fit beautifully, was beautifully made, and 100% silk. I was sold. I just needed the three bone petticoat to get the 19th century big skirt vibe, and gloves of course. (A lady never showed too much skin.) I learned that the petticoats come in 2, 3 and 4 bone sizes, and I needed the 3 bone.
My lovely silk dress has a zipper in the back (less authentic) but still makes me feel like a 19th century lady. Note that enormous petticoat. A photo of it all assembled is coming soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment