Surratt House Docents

[Thomas Kearney]

(11-22-2016 05:46 PM)KateH. Wrote:  Entering the reenacting field is expensive, even when buying ready made clothing, because you have to buy everything from your hat to your socks. Furthermore, you want each of those pieces to be well made and authentic (there is a lot of steampunk, Barbie and Ken meets the Civil War nonsense out there). Veteran reenactors could laugh or even shun someone who arrives for an event looking ready to board the Titanic or wearing a visible zipper. Yes, purchasing good quality gear comes with a high price tag but those clothes will last for years. Spending $200 on a hat (that is what a good hat can cost) is better than spending $50 on one you'll wear twice and need to replace. My shoes have been through the rain, the mud, a wedding and still look new. Trusty basics guarantee that you will only have to buy some new pieces in the future.

If you want to reenact long term: these items come with special care instructions and it's important to understand what kind of attention each piece requires. Boots need a certain polish to prevent scuffing and wear. Some fabrics will be ruined by water. Outer garments cannot be thrown in the washing machine at the end of a long day. Dark clothes pick up dust so make sure you have a lint brush handy.

A note about first person reenacting: performing in first person is not always easy. Yes, it can be rewarding but it can also be exhausting. The experts know how to literally become their persona to the point that the two people can become like Jekyll and Hyde, two souls in one body. When you choose a persona, you need to think about what that person is going through right now. What have they done to get there? What is driving them? Where did they come from, where have they been, where are they trying to go? Does this person walk/talk a certain way? People are complex, their emotions can move like a pendulum.

If you want to do some semblance of first person (putting on an outfit): it is expensive (speaking as someone who had a custom garment made). Finding an outfit from a picture off the rack is rare, if not impossible. At the most you may find something slightly similar. Then consider where you'll wear this ensemble. Certain looks might not be appropriate for every reenactment. You wouldn't wear a Calvin Klein suit camping. Powell's infamous blue uniform would not be worn in public as it's essentially underwear. If you hire a seamstress, you are paying for his/her time, experience, and, the most important aspect of all, fabric (plus detail work - buttons, etc.) The price of fabric changes and some fabrics are more expensive than others to begin with. You are tall. That requires more fabric. All this impacts the total cost. And you simply do not understand the amount of fabric that it takes to construct some of these pieces until their weight is on your body. Also, most seamstresses require at least one in-person visit for fittings. If you cannot find someone reputable close by, be prepared to drive.

Lastly, as enjoyable as reenacting is, if these clothes are simply going to sit in the closet for 90% of the year it might not be worth spending the money. In my opinion, unless you have a big pile of disposable income, you need to know that you'll wear these pieces on a regular basis for the cost to be justified. Have some events lined up in your head (and make sure that if you are not a participant that wearing a period correct look will be acceptable). Speaking from experience, you don't have a lot of time, especially during your first few years of college, for six hour events. And be careful transferring schools late in your college career. Some schools only accept a certain number of credits and make you take the rest at their school meaning extra semesters. Sometimes you have to wait for a better moment to break into the reenacting field. I had to wait until I left New York because there were no places I could wear an expensive Civil War dress and it would have been a waste of money I needed elsewhere. Something to think about.

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This "Gallery of Rebs" is making this gal blush

(11-22-2016 05:45 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(11-21-2016 09:03 AM)Houmes Wrote:  It is it just me, or does anyone else think these two are each reaching for a gun as a Yankee is approaching?

Blaine, as a part of Rick's good natured response, he sent "A gallery of Rebs waiting at Surratts for Yankees to show up."

Thanks Kate! Great advice for anyone who is contemplating entering the reenacting field. As for the clothing, I think I might dress like this minus the mustache:

http://cdn.historynet.com/wp-content/upl...anding.jpg