{"id":652,"date":"2015-03-18T14:45:23","date_gmt":"2015-03-18T14:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/browncoatball.com\/2020\/?page_id=652"},"modified":"2016-02-14T14:41:06","modified_gmt":"2016-02-14T14:41:06","slug":"no-sew-browncoat-ball-costuming","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/browncoatball.com\/2020\/guides\/no-sew-browncoat-ball-costuming\/","title":{"rendered":"No-Sew Browncoat Ball Costuming"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Kass McGann of Reconstructing History<\/a> – a great resouce for costuming ideas, patterns, reference books, help or inspiration.<\/p>\n

We are unbelievably privileged that Kass has written this costuming guide for the Browncoat Ball!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Every year, the famous Browncoat Ball<\/a>\u00a0is held in a new city. \u00a0You going? \u00a0What\u2019s that you say? \u00a0You don\u2019t have anything to wear and you don\u2019t know how to sew?<\/p>\n

Never fear! \u00a0I\u2019m here to tell you how to have a great outfit without sewing a stitch.<\/p>\n

First, I want to tell you about the Golden Triangle: \u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

You can have two of the three. \u00a0Never three. \u00a0It\u2019s either going to be fast and cheap, but not good; fast and good but not cheap; or cheap and good, but not fast.<\/p>\n

The good news: \u00a0The Browncoat Ball is still months away. \u00a0That\u2019s plenty of time! \u00a0So you can have \u201ccheap\u201d and \u201cgood\u201d if you start now.<\/p>\n

Now let\u2019s be clear: \u00a0I\u2019m not going to show you how to get an exact replica of something worn in the \u201cShindig\u201d episode of Firefly. \u00a0If you want that, there are plenty of sites out there who will sell you the outfit. \u00a0This is about how to get an outfit that will work with the Shindig aesthetic without spending a lot of cash.<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s look at some really inexpensive sources for formal wear.<\/p>\n

Bridal Shops\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

Once upon a time, I was going on a cruise and you had to dress formally for dinner every night.\u00a0 Five nights!\u00a0 How was I going to do that?\u00a0 I went to my local Bridal Shop to see if they had any samples.\u00a0 Shops that do alterations often buy dresses in sample sizes to show customers and then you order the size you need and they do alterations to fit you.\u00a0 At the end of the season, the samples are no use anymore because the manufacturer no longer will make that style dress.\u00a0 So they sell them off for like $30!\u00a0 At the time I was a size 8 and samples tended to come in size 8.\u00a0 So I went looking for samples.\u00a0 Of course this only works if you happen to be the sample size.<\/p>\n

However<\/em>, when I went to the shop, they had many more dresses on sale that were not samples.\u00a0 You see, every season, lots of weddings get cancelled.\u00a0 And if the bridesmaids\u2019 dresses have already been ordered, the shop gets stuck with them.\u00a0 So there will be four or five dresses in the same colour and style in all different sizes that the shop just wants to clear out.\u00a0 Again, I think I paid $25 for the ones I got, and some of them were Waters and Waters gowns! \u00a0(Usually $250)<\/p>\n

Many of the dresses on the extras in \u201cShindig\u201d were old bridesmaids\u2019 dresses. \u00a0Even Inara\u2019s dress was repurposed from a bridal gown! \u00a0So go to your local bridal shop and have a look through their sale rack. \u00a0Of course you have to get lucky that one of the abandoned dresses is in your size and that it looks right for the Browncoat Ball.\u00a0 But it\u2019s no different than shopping for things in your size in a thrift store.\u00a0 It\u2019s hit or miss.<\/p>\n

Asian Dresses<\/h2>\n

The stereotypical Chinese dress is called a Cheongsam (literally \u201clong dress\u201d).\u00a0 If you google this, you\u2019ll find a ton of things.\u00a0 But I found some amazing\u00a0<\/strong>things this morning.\u00a0 Look at this: \u00a0http:\/\/www.aliexpress.com\/item\/party-dresses-bride-cheongsam-dress-summer-fashion-improved-cheongsam-dress-fishtail-wedding-vestido-de-festa-2014\/2053020064.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Yes, it\u2019s under $50 with free shipping!<\/p>\n

Worried that it\u2019s only sizes 2-10?\u00a0 No problem: \u00a0\u201dOther sizes\u00a0are also ok for us too, but there would be extra 20USD charges for it, if you would like to order \u00a0a dress in\u00a0Size 12 to Size 20, please contact us before u place the order, thank you\u201d \u00a0Yes, it\u2019s made to your measurements.<\/p>\n

Now it ships from China, and they make it to order, so the wait time says 30 days.\u00a0 I would double that just to be sure.\u00a0 But this is what I was saying about we have seven months!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve never bought from Ali Express before, here\u2019s a page on them: \u00a0http:\/\/searchingpanda.com\/aliexpress-reviews<\/a><\/p>\n

Personally I\u2019m blown away by this one: \u00a0http:\/\/www.dhgate.com\/product\/hot-sale-luxury-and-elegant-women-lace-silk\/161532698.html?utm_source=GMC&utm_medium=Adwords&utm_campaign=elitewin&utm_term=161532698&f=bm{c705e7dff8efde66e9312b7bd624ff91d1166c35900baceb93ee06913e1ae49d}7C161532698{c705e7dff8efde66e9312b7bd624ff91d1166c35900baceb93ee06913e1ae49d}7C002009-SpecialOccasionDresses{c705e7dff8efde66e9312b7bd624ff91d1166c35900baceb93ee06913e1ae49d}7CGMC{c705e7dff8efde66e9312b7bd624ff91d1166c35900baceb93ee06913e1ae49d}7CAdwords{c705e7dff8efde66e9312b7bd624ff91d1166c35900baceb93ee06913e1ae49d}7C{c705e7dff8efde66e9312b7bd624ff91d1166c35900baceb93ee06913e1ae49d}7Celitewin{c705e7dff8efde66e9312b7bd624ff91d1166c35900baceb93ee06913e1ae49d}7CUS{c705e7dff8efde66e9312b7bd624ff91d1166c35900baceb93ee06913e1ae49d}7C002009011-ChineseDresses,Cheongsam{c705e7dff8efde66e9312b7bd624ff91d1166c35900baceb93ee06913e1ae49d}7C<\/a><\/p>\n

DHgate is also highly reviewed:\u00a0http:\/\/www.resellerratings.com\/store\/DHgate<\/a><\/p>\n

Delivery is estimated between April 14th and May 5th.\u00a0 But even if it was delayed and you didn\u2019t get it until May 30th, you\u2019d still have it four and a half months before the Ball!<\/p>\n

(I am far too excited about this!)<\/p>\n

Western Dresses<\/h2>\n

Not into the Chinese look?\u00a0 Want Kaylee\u2019s \u201clayer cake\u201d?\u00a0 No problem.\u00a0 Look: \u00a0http:\/\/www.dhgate.com\/product\/new-exquisite-2014-ball-gown-sweetheart-lace\/192513218.html?recinfo=1,2,8#cppd-8-5|null:2<\/a><\/p>\n

$76 for a custom-made dress in your choice of 100 colours?\u00a0 Are you kidding me?\u00a0 Again, I\u2019d add an extra month onto their delivery date just to be sure.\u00a0 But you\u2019re reserving your hotel room now.\u00a0 Why not order your gown?<\/p>\n

By the way, reserve your hotel room now before they\u2019re sold out!<\/a><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Not Forget the Men!<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>Mal (and many of the men in the episode) are wearing Morning Coats. \u00a0This is actually late Victorian and early 20th century daytime formal wear. \u00a0It would never have been worn to a ball in the evening. \u00a0The men should be wearing Dress Coats (aka \u201ctails\u201d or \u201cwhite tie\u201d). \u00a0But the \u2018Verse is not Victorian England, and I digress. \u00a0(I\u2019m a costume historian. \u00a0You can only expect me to shut up for so long!)<\/p>\n

We actually sell a pattern for a Morning Coat: RH923 \u2013 1880s-1930s Single-Breasted Morning Coat<\/a>, but this is a post about not<\/em> sewing. (You could, however, buy it and have a tailor make it for you though. You have plenty of time!)<\/p>\n

Luckily there is a great, off-the-rack, inexpensive Morning Coat suit available from Gentleman\u2019s Emporium:
\nhttp:\/\/www.gentlemansemporium.com\/store\/004502.php<\/a><\/p>\n

This can be decorated with military braid, sashes, and other accessories to look like Kaylee\u2019s admirers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Indian Dresses<\/h2>\n

I took a look at the Shindig episode and I also saw some Indian styles.\u00a0 This type of outfit is called Lehenga Choli and it\u2019s the long variety you want (not the belly-baring style of choli).\u00a0 These are more pricey, but they come with a lot of bling: \u00a0https:\/\/www.google.com\/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1ASUT_enUS504US504&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#tbm=shop&q=long+choli+lehenga<\/a>\u00a0 They tend to be custom-made as well.\u00a0 Again, add a month onto any delivery time and you\u2019ll be fine.<\/p>\n

You can get cheaper lehenga cholis of course.\u00a0 This is just what came up for me in a quick search.\u00a0 If you have Indian clothing stores in your town, you may be able to find used ones.<\/p>\n

It also occurs to me that if you got an A-line lehenga, you could easily put a hoop skirt under it for that Ball look.\u00a0 I\u2019m not a big fan of hoop skirts, but there are a LOT of Ren Faire clothiers who do.\u00a0 Lotsa bargains in here: \u00a0https:\/\/www.google.com\/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1ASUT_enUS504US504&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=ren+faire+hoop+skirts&tbs=vw:g,p_ord:p&tbm=shop<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

For the men, the gents in Shindig are wearing a number of things, some Victorian or Victorian-ish.\u00a0 But Atherton Wing is definitely wearing an Indian Sherwani (men\u2019s formal suit):
\nINMONARCH Mens Debonair Look Indo Western Sherwani Ready to ship IN441 38R Purple-orange<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

These are typically sold by men\u2019s chest measurement, so not as custom as the cheongsam and lehenga choli.\u00a0 But men tend not to need custom sizing like we do.<\/p>\n

The one I linked to is quite expensive (because it is wedding wear) but if you google \u201csherwani\u201d you will come up with a lot of results in all price ranges.<\/p>\n

A cheaper alternative that still gives the look is Kurta Pyjamas (pyjamas are a type of trousers, not sleepwear; the English term comes from this Persian word for pants).\u00a0 Exotic India Plain Wedding Kurta Pajama with Embroidery on Neck \u2013 Color BlackGarment Size 36<\/a>\"\" This ebay seller\u00a0http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/itm\/like\/251800770656<\/a>\u00a0sells them for a very good price in sizes up to XXL and delivery is estimated between April 1 and April 17th (which can be relied upon because this is eBay).\u00a0 Shipping is only $10 and that price of $49.99 includes the shirt AND pants.\u00a0 You also have Ebay and PayPal\u2019s buyer protection if you\u2019re not satisfied.\u00a0 My husband has a number of these outfits and he loves how comfortable they are.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s all without having to lift a needle! \u00a0=)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Kass McGann of Reconstructing History – a great resouce for costuming ideas, patterns, reference books, help or inspiration. We are unbelievably privileged that Kass has written this costuming guide for the Browncoat Ball! Every year, the famous Browncoat Ball\u00a0is held in a new city. \u00a0You going? \u00a0What\u2019s that you say? \u00a0You don\u2019t have anything to wear and you don\u2019t know how to sew? Never fear! \u00a0I\u2019m here to tell … Continue reading No-Sew Browncoat Ball Costuming<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":1068,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-652","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/PbB7Qa-aw","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/browncoatball.com\/2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/652","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/browncoatball.com\/2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/browncoatball.com\/2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/browncoatball.com\/2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/browncoatball.com\/2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=652"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"http:\/\/browncoatball.com\/2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/652\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2173,"href":"http:\/\/browncoatball.com\/2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/652\/revisions\/2173"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/browncoatball.com\/2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1068"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/browncoatball.com\/2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=652"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}