Merchant costume guidelines and suggestions

In order to clarify the costume guidelines for vendors and to make all our lives smoother and less stressful during approvals I have put together a quick description of costumes that will work in our different areas. Please remember that we are all working together to create an environment in which our patrons feel they have left the 21^st century and are walking the streets of Mr. Dickens’ London.

Our time line is a Mid-Victorian 1842 – 1863. This does not encompass bustles, steam punk or       Renaissance / fantasy. Fantasy Victorian vs. Authentic Victorian. Although we recognize that

aspects of "Steam Punk" are generally Victorian in "style", they can detract from the authentic Victorian design of the Fair. SP elements and accessorizing may therefore not be worn as part of an approvable costume. Given that SP is quite vogue we fully expect the general public to bring

plenty of that look to our show.  As an official Participant (entertainer or vendor) of the Fair, we expect - and require - you to help us maintain the authentic Victorian look and feel of the Fair.  Thank you!  Note: members of Legion Fantastique are only partially exempt from this policy and are

approved by their director and the Fair costume director based on the design   and story of "Legion" environmental area.

Please take time to look over the performer costume guidelines on the website. They may answer some questions that you might have.

Feel free to contact me with questions regarding the vendor costume guidelines
costumes@redbarnproductions.org

There are several online vendors that sell suitable clothing.  One of my favorites is Confederate Family Fashion.  The information is available in the Great Costume Missive, posted on the missive site  http://www.cattaylor.com/100110.html

The following guidelines apply to ALL vendors

• No visible piercing or tattoos
• It goes without saying that Victorians did not have their noses, lips, eyebrows, etc. pierced and neither should you. There are many companies that make "flesh" tone silicone plugs for concealing piercing. Kaos Soft wear is one of them.
• Please make sure that your tattoos are covered by either clothing or with a makeup designed to hide tattoos, such as Derma blend or Cover mark.
• Hairstyles and colors: Your hair color that is showing should look natural. It should be neatly styled, up and off the neck for both men and women.
• For Women: No bustles. We are going with a bell shape or upside down “U”
• All vendors who are spending free time in the fair during the day should also have some sort of outerwear: shawls (men & women) scarf, gloves to help strengthen the illusion that we are creating.
• Women: if you are out walking in streets of “London” you need to have your head covered. Bonnets are the preferred head covering. No top hats of any size.
• Footwear: should be comfortable and supportive. It should be relatively Victorian in style. Heels should be 2” or less for women. Consider buying shoes that leave you room for insoles.

Catering Booths – kitchen

            For BOTH men & women

Due to open flame in the kitchen we would like to suggest the following:

·         White chef’s jacket with black pants

Or

·         Long sleeved shirt, no collar or turned up collar with cravat

·         Colors: white, cream, plaid (muted tones; browns, blues, rusts, greens)

·         Can also be a smock in white, cream, or light blue

·         Waistcoat or vest: Can have a collar or not, no points in the front (straight across), single or double breasted, should button fairly high on the chest, does not generally match either the pants or the jacket – plaids, brocades & stripes are wonderful.  There should be no shirt showing between the bottom of the vest and your pants!

·         Half apron – white

·         Pants – natural-waisted is preferred (high waisted by today’s standards), wool, heavy cotton, or corduroy, either plaid or plain, suspenders – no belt. Pant legs should be tapered in and no cuffs.

·         Closed toe shoes and socks

·         Whatever additional hair covering are mandated by the Health dept.

Catering booths – front counter

Women

• Plain blouse: white, blue, brown
• Long sleeved, peter pan collar or no collar, No ruffles down the front or lace yokes,
• Bibbed apron – plain no ruffles,
• Skirts should be long, full at the waist as well as the hem (no A-lines), cotton would be best for kitchen as it is washable
• Zouave, bolero or women’s suit style jacket (can be short sleeved with blouse underneath.) Jewel toned or dark colors- red, burgundy, gold, green, blue, rust, brown

Or

• Dress:  Fabric in both the bodice and skirt match, long sleeves or mid-arm length with white under sleeves, no zippers
• Petticoat that gives some fullness – hoops not suggested.
• Head: either a mob cap or a day cap  (lace and ribboned)
• Hair is up off the shoulders neatly braided or coifed: preferably with a center part. Additional hairpieces are good for women with short modern hairstyles.

Men

·         Long sleeved shirt, no collar or turned up collar with cravat

·         Colors: white, cream, plaid (muted tones; browns, blues, rusts, greens)

·         Can also be a smock in white, cream or light blue

·         Waistcoat or vest: Can have a collar or not, no points in the front (straight across), single or double breasted, should button fairly high on the chest, does not generally match either the pants or the jacket – plaids, brocades & stripes are wonderful.  There should be no shirt showing between the bottom of the vest and your pants!

·         Half apron – white

·         Pants – natural-waisted is preferred (high waisted by today’s standards), wool, heavy cotton, or corduroy, either plaid or plain, suspenders – no belt. Pant legs should be tapered in and no cuffs.

·         Jacket: There are many modern jackets that will work for a Dickens Jacket. They should be single breasted not double, dark colored - either a plaid or all one color, 4-button if possible (these can be converted easily) does not have to match the pants or waistcoat

·         Hat: bowler, brimmed cap (think newspaper boy style)

·         ANY unnatural colors should be hidden. Long hair should be braided neatly and up

Merchant in a shop

Similar styles to the catering booth front counter workers. Depending on the tone of your shop you might be fancier than others.

Women

·         Plain blouse: white, long sleeved, collar  - peter pan or no collar.  No ruffles down the front or lace yokes.

·         Bibbed apron – plain no ruffles (not mandatory but gives a nice, neat look)

·         Skirts should be long, full at the waist as well as the hem (no A-lines), cotton, wool.

·         Zouave, bolero or women’s suit style jacket (can be short sleeved with blouse. underneath.) Jewel toned or dark colors- red, burgundy, gold, green, blue, rust, brown

Or

·         Dress:  Fabric in the bodice and skirt match, long sleeves or mid-arm length with white under sleeves, no zippers.

·         Petticoat that gives fullness – small hoops (90”or less in bottom hoop) or corded petticoats.

·         Head: either a mob cap or a day cap  (lace and ribboned)

·         Hair is up off the shoulders neatly braided or coifed: preferably with a center part. Additional hairpieces are good for women with short modern hairstyles.

Men

·         Long sleeved shirt, turned up collar with cravat

·         Colors: white

·         Waistcoat or vest:  Can have a collar or not, no points in the front (straight across), single or double breasted, should button fairly high on the chest, does not generally match either the pants or the jacket – plaids, brocades & stripes are wonderful.  There should be no shirt showing between the bottom of the vest and your pants!

·         Pants – natural-waisted is preferred (high waisted by today’s standards), wool, heavy cotton, or corduroy, either plaid or plain, suspenders – no belt. Pant legs should be tapered in and no cuffs.

·         Jacket: There are many modern jackets that will work for a Dickens Jacket. They should be single breasted not double, dark colored - either a plaid or all one color, 4-button if possible (these can be converted easily) do not have to match the pants or waistcoat, or a tail or frock coat.

·         Hat: bowler, brimmed cap (think newspaper boy style), topper.

**NOTE: unless your shop sells items that will pass the fair’s costume approval, your employees cannot wear them.

Ale stands

Should reflect both the costume guidelines and the area in which it is situated. Sal’s workers will look far different than the Leather bottle or The Prince Edward.

The costume department will have clothing items available for rental this year. Please contact me to make an appointment.
 

Liz Martin