I've got a really fun party lined up for the end of the month - a Renaissance Themed birthday and they are doing EVERYTHING in period! Costumes, decorations, entertainers - it's going to be really fun.
They want us in costume, period correct, but don't want Indian or European Renaissance. I've done a bit of cruising on the internet and it seems that the Ghawazee may be a good fit....
Has anyone based their costumes and booth on this cultural dress style? I'm not sure how best to go about putting costumes together and keeping it affordable.
If your local Jo-Ann Fabrics sends you 40% off coupons like mine does, panne (rather than luxe crushed) velvet becomes unbelievably cheap... hunt down trims first so you can see what you can get fancy and cheap, and pick your velvet color based on that...get a bit of satin that matches... and then go at it with creating a pattern based on what you've seen? The sleeveless Ghawazee coats seem particularly not that hard to make... and a matching circle skirt would be super easy. I know you ladies have sewing skillz or at least know someone who does, with your custom matchy salwar kameez sets...
It's a big time investment, but it should be under $100....
Oh and if you don't have a JoAnn's or other cheap fabric source near you, they have an online coupon up for 40% off right now as well...
The Ghawazee is not stictly period, though that would only be a real problem if you are dealing with serious re-enactors who know about such things. Byzantine/Ottoman/Persian styles are comfortable, easy to sew (generally), and can be made very inexpensively. The garb that Malynda wears for SCA events is loosely Turkish. The fabrics can be very inexpensive and still look great (I use mostly cotton). If you are going to spend money, save it for trim. Trims can make inexpensive fabric look like a million bucks. This is what Malynda's garb generally consists of:
*Puffy pants (not period, but you can get away with it. Or you can find printable patterns online for Turkish pants)
*A long-sleeved tunic/dress that goes down to the lower thigh or knee and is well fitted (but not so tight you can't work in it) in the bust and torso. The sleeves are generally a "bell" style, but not too exaggerated.
*A sleeveless, cap-sleeve, or tight-fitting short-sleeve vest-style over-dress that is fitted through the bust and midsection, falls any where between calf and ankle length, and closed from bust to waist with fancy buttons or pearl buttons.
All of the pieces are generally different, but coordinating, colors. Light colors or white for the tunic; darker, solid colors for the pants, and patterned , fancy-looking fabric for the over-dress.
There is usually some type of head covering or hat, but they can be a pain to work in, so that part is up to you.
This is a very simplified version of the traditional dress, but it looks good and is easy to work in. I'll try to rustle up some pictures of Malynda in hers. Also, you might try searching SCA costuming sites (near and middle east garb). They are pretty diligent about being period correct and, as most SCAdians are working class folk, they know how to make stuff that will look good and last a while for cheap!
I forgot to mention that I love upholstery stores for finding over-dress fabric. The discount/remnant section is awesome for finding beautiful fabrics, cheap. Since overdresses don't use much yardage, remnant is usually a great deal. I've 60" wide roll end fabrics (with 3-10 yards of fabric on them) for as little as 50 cents a yard.
This may be a little more complex than you are looking for, but great period info & patterns! Ottoman (Turkish) clothing link Persian clothing links
My husband & I both do Persian (I also sometimes wear Ottoman) in the SCA.
Oh, and to whoever posted that Gwazee link, too cool! I would love some things for that for belly dance!
The SCA is the Society For Creative Anachronism, a medieval/renaissance historical recreations society (Think the Civil War re-enactors but push it back about 500-1000 years)
It is a world wide organization. And yes, 'techinically' ghawazees aren't period, they are about 100-150 years out of date, but some in the Kingdom of the West (Think Northern California) wear them. A very similar but more period style would be a persian coat. Besides, most women in the day would be naked in a harem, so ya know..
I've also been doing Ren Faire since I was 16, and gwhazees are quite common there for middle eastern personas. You shouldn't have any problems with them.
In service,
Khadijah al-Elikiyyah (my SCA name since 2000)
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