Something For The Ladies - Dresses and Shoes

I was told there has been a flurry of inquiries about our upcoming Spring 2022 Rendezvous from interested women. Well gosh darn, I didn't realize that I had neglected to include articles that may have been of interest to you/them, so I'm  hoping I can provide some gender-specific support for the cause.

Buy it here.

Beyond the topics of shooting and frontier survival skills, dress can be an important issue for anybody who might wish to participate in the Fall 2202 Trek, and count on it, we will have one. I've been pretty specific in providing sources for Men's clothing, since earning the Costume/Dress point can sometimes be the difference between a win and an also ran. Women who choose to participate should also get that same advantage.

Costumes for movies and television have always been available, and after having just finished Season 1 of Downton  Abbey (I'm a late adopter, but not yet a true fan), I can appreciate the pains the wardrobe stylists take to create "accurate to the thread" reproductions of period dress. I can also imagine the expense. 

I think I have found a reasonable way for a woman to get suitably outfitted without spending a lot a cash in the process. By Googling "frontier dresses" I found dozens of sources, and by shifting my search to images, scrolled through until I found some Amazon vendors. With a number of dresses selling for under $50.00, I thought this a great place to start, considering a period correct, entry-level ensemble for a man, minus the shoes and wide belt, would cost about as much.

When it comes to shoes, the ladies may have an advantage. Fashion is fiercely competitive with designers combing all avenues to find something new for this season. Mind you, it may be "retro", and pioneer fashion is the ultimate retro look you can achieve. Like the menfolk, bare feet and home-made moccasins were probably the most common footwear, since store bought shoes weren't common on the frontier. Still, shoes existed, and if you can approach the appearance of a Trekker's Boot made from a suitable material, you'll have it made.

I found this Vienna Combat Boot at DSW for about $70.00. I am not suggesting that you buy a pair, but there is a chance you can find something similar in your local thrift store. If you can find a suitable pair (natural colored suede or distressed leather)  for less than $20.00, then Bobbie's your aunt. For goodness sake,  don't spend $70.00 on them unless they will look fab with your skinny jeans! Here's why.

While this shoe outwardly has all the appearances of a pair of period correct trekking boots, they have zippers, something that would not be seen until the 20th Century. Also, the stacked heel is obviously synthetic, as are the soles. This may not matter at the SVML, but a true primitive rendezvous like the Pacific Primitive strictly forbids any article of dress that isn't constructed of period correct materials in a period correct manner. Zap, zap, zap on the the soles, the heels, and the zippers. 

If you're buying new, pay the extra $30.00 and go with the Crazy Crow Trekker's Boots and you be accepted on all counts. Also, confirm that they are not "straight last", meaning that the left and right shoes are identical. Also, they will provide little or no arch support. Buy it a half size larger and install some decent orthotics. Your feet will thank you!

Head Gear? Just wear a bandana.

Dahhhhling, you'll look mahvelous!