Friends Only

[kath_a]

This journal is friends only, not to keep people out, but more to keep tabs on who is in!
Please feel welcome to friend me, I'll probably friend you back. Feel free to leave a comment here introducing yourself. If you like talking about historial clothing then you are very welcome!

Comments

[tattycat]

Okay, I'm not new, but I have to ask: those braids. Are they your real hair? If so, how long is your hair unbraided?

I'm working on growing mine out, it's below my shoulders, and I still can't get usable braids out of it because it's so thick. Just hoping for a length for comparison. . .

[kath_a]

Hello! Yes, they are my real hair. It is somewhere between my waist and my hips at the moment unplaited. Its not something you can do with short or medium length hair, particularily if its thick. I start my plaits midway between the top of my ear and my centeral part, which is just the right length for my hair to cross over the top and meet and overlap slightly at the bottom. If I start too low I still can't get them to meet at the bottom, so I will just thread the ribbon through the ends and tie across the gap (I start sewing the ribbon in at the centre front and finish it at the back, and yes, I cheat by using invisible hairties on my ends then covering them with ribbon

[tattycat]

Mostly, I'm patiently (okay, not so patiently) waiting for my hair to grow enough to put it up. Then I'll be waiting for it to get long enough to do the more typical 16th century Spanish styles, which seem to involve putting half one's hair up in a caul, and then braiding the other half and wrapping it, much like the Italian style in your icon, just in front of the caul. The braided hair seems to function as both an anchor for the caul and a foundation for pinning in more jewels.

Right now, my hair is usually up in a coif or cap, but that doesn't seem to be the preferred style for my area (end of the 16th century Spain). I am armed with false hair and many many bobby pins. I also estimate, at the rate my hair grows, I need another two years solid of growing time before it's as long as yours. *whine*

[kath_a]

I have plans to sew a false plait to a caul type thing, so for days when I am in a hurry (or unexpectly have to go 1480 and have hair too clean) I can just pop it on over my hair and sew the braid on with ribbon. I am sneaky :D

[virginiadear]

Oh, I do like your work!
And even more, I like this, from your bio:
'As far as I am concerned, there is no such thing as "I want to have fun so I won't be period'. I do reenactment because I enjoy it- why have a hobbey you hate? So for me the more accurate I can be with my clothing and accessories, the more fun I can have!'

May I 'friend' you? (I always ask and try never to 'friend' without the go-ahead from whoever's journal it is.)

[kath_a]

Thank you very much! I am always suprised at how many peple don't like what they like- no problem with people not liking historical stuff or liking historicaly inspired or fantasy or whatever, but then you say "I like historicaly inspired fantasy and I like making those costumes" not "I like historical clothing and I make historical clothing, except I don't do that cos its not fun"
But I'm sure I am preaching to the converted!

Of course you may friend me! Welcome in :D

[virginiadear]

Thank you so much! :-)

[melaniesuzanne]

Hi there! I'm beginning to explore 15th century Italian clothing, specifically Ventetian, and tattycat suggested I take a look at your journal. I'm more interested in the first half of the 15th century, but I'm coming at this with brand new eyes. :) (Up to this point, I've portrayed a late 14th/early 15th century Englishwoman.)

[kath_a]

Hello and welcome! Its always great to meet a new friend interested in 15th century italian, even if you are a little earlier. My main interest is more florence 1480 specifically) than venetian, and I haven't looked at much before the 1460s, only a few paintings and so on here are there from the 40s-50s, but sometimes I find with research it is useful to know where things are heading after your period as well as where they have come frome to help you figure out what was up with fashions in your period.
But I am happy to chat 15th century dress anytime :D

[kimikosews]

Hello. We've been chatting about 1480s Florentine styles on dressdiaries under my other LJ name of sstormwatch. I would love to be added to your friend's list, please.

[kath_a]

Thanks for the comment! I've added you! :D Welcome. I haven't posted anything for a bit, so I need to sit down and do a catch-up because I know the longer I leave it the longer it will take to catch up...

[ladymiia]

Hi! Would love to friend you, just have to figure out how it works :) I love talking historical clothing, mostly medieval (14th century) and victorian. Your gowns look beautiful! //Miia

[kath_a]

Hi Miia! Thank you very much! Welcome in.