2.3 historical style clothing
Absinthe and Old Lace
319 East Liberty, #2
Wooster, OH 44691, US
(330) 262-4384
meg-leckrone@mailexcite.com
Custom-made historical clothing, specializing in corsetry and large sizes. Also searches for and re-works vintage lingerie.
AlterYears (formerly Raiments)
8960 E. Huntington Dr.
San Gabriel, CA 91775, US
Phone: (626) 614-9400
Fax: (626) 4614-9499
Sales@AlterYears.com
Catalog: $6.00 4th class US, $10.00 Priority Mail US, $9.00 US to Canada/Mexico (air), $10.00 US to Europe (surface), $17.00 US to Europe, $10.75 US to Australia/Asia/Africa (surface), or $21.00 US to Australia/Asia/Africa (airmail)
Over 1,000 historical patterns for Medieval through 1950s clothing, plus ethnic, belly dancing, and riding clothes. Also carries Elizabethan corsets, corset-making kits and supplies, hoop skirts, panniers, bustles, fancy clasps, and over 600 costume reference books. Does mail-order, and also has a retail store at this address and holds costuming classes there.Trystan comments: This is my absolute fave. pattern catalog! If you want to sew historical clothing (especially Victorian), you *need* this catalog. I order from AlterYears a couple times a year and have good service. Occasionally, a pattern will go out of stock due to the manufacturer, but AlterYears will let you know.
Sarai comments: From my own experience, I would recommend them. I've only bought things from their actual store, but I've been happy with what they sell. Anyone who lives in the area and has an interest in sewing/costuming should check it out, too. It's a teeny store, but has all kinds of hard-to-find sewing products. Even the ever-elusive black hook and eye tape! Not to mention all the lovely patterns and corset supplies, etc. *swoon*
Jackie Manni comments: Wow. What a piece of eye candy! They sell corset patterns and kits (from Past Patterns, as well as their own AlterYears Kits, which are cheaper and include fabric). *Glove* patterns. Stripey thigh-his (including burgundy and black!!) with garters. So, so much! I can't even mention the wealth that this catalogue contains!!!!
Amazon Dry Goods
411 Brady Street
Davenport, IA 52801-1518 US
Phone: (800) 798-7979
Fax: (319) 322-4003
info@amazondrygoods.com
General catalog $3
Reproduction 19th century merchandise, including corsets, corset-making kits and supplies, hoop skirts, hats, fans, gloves, spats, canes, parasols, sewing accessories, historical research books, and some readymade Victorian reproduction clothing.julishka comments: the amazon corsets in their catalogue *are* vollers corsets AFAIK. i ordered the corset catalogue from amazon and the vollers catalogue arrived. when i called, the lady at amazon was very helpful to me. i bought my first one from them but was very nervous about measurements and such. i also wanted to get one that i could return if necessary. there are only certain ones they'll accept returns on... she was very reassuring and helpful with the measurements. so i got one that they accepted returns on if in pristine condition. nope, never returned it!
Lady Bathory comments: Anyone ever wondered what the quality of readymade goods from ADG is like? I have. I mean, I've done a lot of business w/them in terms of sewing (specifically corsetry) supplies: busk closures, boning, etc. I'd always been perfectly satisfied... *pleased*, even. But I'd never seen any of their _pret_a_porter_ clothing before.
Today, the shop at which i work rec'd a pkg. containing frock coats from ADG, & I thought I'd share my opinion w/the gentle ladies of a.g.f.
They suck shit through a crazy straw.
No, really. They are the crummiest quality cheese I've ever seen. No, let me rephrase that. They are the crummiest quality pasteurized process cheese food I've ever seen. We are talking *Velveeta*. They are made from a synthetic crepe so thin you can see through it when a light is behind it. They are unlined (except for a thin acetaty yoke-lining over the shoulders). The upper lapel & pocket flaps are done in a crispy poly low-pile velvet (think "glamourous cat collar" velvet here... like the kind used to make those little gooby poodle collars w/the diamelles on them). They have cheap plasticky flat buttons & need little more than some baby blue braid to be dead ringers for _Wedding Singer_ tuxes.
Granted, IIRC they were only around $95 each, so i expected they'd be a tad costumey, but these babies are El Cheapo Grande. I guess if you plan on wearing them in a dark club & have a bit of skill w/the needle, you could add some braiding & half-lining inside the frock & make them passable (this is what we are doing for the show). And if you really don't care about a remote approximation of quality tailoring, they're alright for your money. They don't come any bigger than a 46, tho', so bigger guys haven't even got a choice about it.
What's more, we ordered 3 of them & only rec'd 2. Hmpf. On the oh-so-acute upside, we did order them on Thursday & rec'd them today, so paying the extra dough for quick shipping does pay off.
As a now-experienced comparison shopper, i'd say if you want a man's frock coat, order from Tuxedo Wholesaler in Scottsdale, AZ. Lachesis' SO wore one of their frock coats to the Goth Prom, & it was similar in price but far superior in quality.
Anuska
1905, 60th Ave.
Ste-Agathe-des-Monts
Quebec, Canada, J8C 2Z8
Phone: (819) 326-6121
Fax: (819) 326-9125
info@anuska.com
Custom-made Medieval clothing and accessories.
Art & Artifact
2451 Enterprise East Pkwy.
P.O. Box 8021
Twinsburg, OH 44087-8021, US
Order: (800) 231-6766
Fax: (800) 950-9569
Customer Service: (800) 950-9540
shop@artandartifact.com
Historical-theme and art-influenced items such as clothing, jewelry, statuary, lamps, painting reproductions, assorted home accessories. Lots of Medieval, Victorian, Asian, and Celtic-themed items.
Ateleir Polonaise
4610 1/2 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92116 US
Phone: (800) 618-7606
Fax: (619) 291-8709
Catalog $13
Custom-made 1700s-1940s costumes for women and men, including corsetry and bridal.
Azrael's Accomplice
422 Lovett Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006-4801, US
batty@io.com
Gothic, fetish, and historical style clothing, corsets, and accessories for women and men. Does custom work and mail-order.Babybat comments: This home-run gothic clothing business is wonderful! I love it to death because it's all so original and beautiful and also of very high quality! I highly recommend this business to any and everyone!
kristy comments: I ordered a dark blue velvet waist cincher from there. It's *great* quality, I got it quickly, and they were very pleasant to deal with.
Trystan comments: I purchased a black PVC waist cincher from here (thru eBay), and it's fabulous! Great construction, excellent fit, and a pleasure to do business with.
Cattle Kate
P.O. Box 572
Wilson, WY 83014
Phone: (800) 332-5283 or (307) 733-7414
Fax: (307) 739-0767
cattlekate@rmisp.com
Catalog $3
Historically styled western clothing for women and men.
Celtic Weaver
(814) 724-4233
daffydd@toolcity.net
Renaissance faire peasant clothing, Celtic jewelry, and accessories.
Chainmail and More (formerly Strangeblades and More)
54 Hazard Ave., #175
Enfield, CT 06082, US
(860) 741-2965
sblades@sblades.com
Catalog $3
Jewelry and chainmail wear.Julia comments: Overall, their merchandise is well made, has sensible closures that don't get tangled up in the links, and is inexpensive. I bought two necklaces. The Danae necklace was $25 for a nice band of chainmail w/dark grey accents. It's stunning and goes well with the $12 steel lace bracelet I got. I also snagged an unusual necklace done in brass chainmail, called the Captive Link design, for $12. The only thing I didn't like was the Beldai waist belt. It's a triangular chainmail belt w/ bells hanging off it for $29. However, the bells were jingle bells, not the little silver Indian bells, and while the front part of the belt is a dull dark silver, the back part is a shiny light silver. I emailed Strangeblades, and they offered to alter it for me or take it back for store credit or a refund. As you can tell, I *love* this company. They have great merchandise, great customer service, and the owners are nice people.
Chivalry Sports
Retail Store: 7718 East Wrightstown Rd., Tucson, AZ 85715, US, (520) 722-1255
Mail Order: P.O. Box 18904, Tucson, AZ 85731-8904, US, (800) 730-KING
customerservice@renstore.com
Free catalog within US
Large selection of SCA/Renaissance faire costumes, jewelry, weaponry, and accessories for women and men.
Cloak and Dagger Creations
61 Gilson Rd.
Littleton, MA 01460-1300, US
Phone: (978) 486-4414
Fax: (978) 486-4427
info@cloakmaker.com
Custom-made Medieval and Renaissance clothing for women and men.
Distant Caravans
P.O. Box 8003
Reno, NV 89507, US
Phone: (775) 746-0416
Fax: (775) 746-0749
barb@distantcaravans.com
Catalog $1
Belly dancing and Renaissance faire clothing, jewelry, and accessories.
Dragonfly Design Studio
1115 Madison St. N.E., #503
Salem, OR 97303, US
(503) 391-5731
info@dragonflydesignstudio.com
Renaissance and fantasy clothing, plus historical patterns, wigs, hats, and accessories.Trystan comments: I've purchased lots of wonderful little things from here and had excellent customer service. Dragonfly always has fanciful gothy accessories like bat bobby pins and fishnet mitts that I adore and wear constantly!
Melusine comments (1/30/01):A few weeks ago, I attended a live action pirate feast (dress up as pirates, dance, eat food. Lots of fun.) with my sweetie. Since I was in the market for a fabulous hat, I looked and looked...and with 4 days before the event looked at Dragonfly Design Studios (helmed by our own Ronda). I ordered the Cavalier hat with white plumes; Ronda was also sweet enough to ship it right away. I got it with a day to spare (and with a wonderful surprise of a windup black bat tucked within--he is now on my desk at work:)) The hat is black, a nice heavy felted material, turned up on one side, and the white plumes were, I swear, the size of my arm. Putting it on, I feel like the 17th century tart of my dreams--and I feel I must thank Dragonfly Design. I would most certainly order again for the quality of the service and the items (thanks Ronda!:))
As a coda, I wore it this weekend at the Fetish Flea in Boston--got much praise. So buy from them, buy from them lots.
The Dye Spot
P.O. Box 752
Sun Valley, CA 91353-0752, US
info@dyespot.com
Renaissance faire peasant clothing.
Faire Pair Tights
5718 Valley Meadow Drive Arlington, TX 76016, US
(817) 429-1566
tightsgoddess@msn.com
Velvet tights/leggings in many colors, both solid and patterned.
Fallen Angel Fashions & Brute Force Leather (formerly Brute Force Leather and Lace)
1024 South 18th St.
Harrisburg, PA 17104, US
(877) 255-2198 or (717) 233-6111 (in PA)
BruteForce@BruteForceLeather.com
Leather, Renaissance faire, and gothic clothing and corsets for men and women. Does custom orders.
Gallery Serpentine
123 Enmore Road, Enmore
Sydney, Australia NSW 2042
Phone: + 61 2 9557 5821
Fax: + 61 2 9557 0964
annette@nightmachines.net
Gothic and historical clothing, corsets, and accessories for women and men. Does custom work.Tangent comments: My friend and I just received our order from Gallery Serpentine and... whoohoo! She ordered the steel-boned Edwardian corset in black and a long A-line skirt that fit PERFECTLY. (She's 6 feet tall and can never find clothes long enough.) I ordered the steel-boned Edwardian in green with lace, the pointed PVC waist cincher (which whittles my waist down to nothing!), and the spiderweb top which Annette custom-made for my freakishly long arms. I love that woman. I see a re-order in the near future...
Grand Illusions Clothing Company
132 Clinton St.
Delaware City, DE 19706 US
Phone: (302) 392.1860
Fax: (302) 392.1865
contact@grand-illusion.com
Reproduction Civil War era clothing for women and men.
Hamilton Dry Goods
2510 Randolph Rd.
Cookeville, TN 38506, US
(931) 528-6061
hamiltondrygoods@multipro.com
Reproduction Revolutionary and Civil War era clothing.
Haunted Forest Couture
c/o Valerie Kessler
2545 Hilliard-Rome Road
PMB 110
Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 876-7725
valerie@wiliqueen.com
Medieval, Renaissance, and gothic clothing for women and men. Does custom work.
Historic Enterprises
17228 Voorhes Ln.
Ramona, CA 92065-7109, US
Phone: (760) 789-2299
Fax: (760) 789-6644
historic@pacbell.net
Custom-made Medieval and Renaissance clothing for women and men.
House of Canes
P.O. Box 574
Wilderville, OR 97543-0574, US
Phone: (800) 458-5920
Fax: (541) 955-8820
kay@houseofcanes.com
Wide variety of canes. Does custom work.
House of Dra
orders@ladydra.com
Custom-made Renaissance peasant clothing.
Jas. Townsend and Son
133 North First St.
P.O. Box 415-W
Pierceton, IN 46562, US
Phone: (219) 594-5852
Fax: (219) 594-5580
jastown@jastown.com
Free catalog
Reproduction 18th and 19th century clothing, patterns, and accessories.
Moirandall's
P.O. Box 39504
Phoenix, AZ 85069-9504, US
(602) 995-7514
randwhit@moirandalls.com
Free catalog with SASE or International Reply Coupon
Custom-made Renaissance faire/SCA clothing and patterns.
Museum Replicas Limited
P.O. Box 840
Gees Mill Road
Conyers, GA 30012, US
(800) 883-8838
musrep@mindspring.com
Catalog $3
SCA/Renaissance faire clothing, jewelry, weaponry, and accessories.
The NERO Emporium
P.O. Box 377
Tannersville, PA 18372, US
(570) 420-5757
nerohq@aol.com
Custom-made fantasy-Medieval style amour, corsets, and accessories.
Premier Designs Historic Clothing
15512 State Route 613
Van Buren, Ohio 45889, US
Phone: (800)427-0907
Fax: (419) 299-3919
premier@bright.net
Reproduction Victorian to 1920s clothing and accessories for women and men. Does custom work and mail-order.
Sense and Sensibility
P.O. Box 967
Enterprise, AL 36331 US
patterns@sensibility.com patterns@sensibility.com
Custom-made English Regency and 1910s styled clothing and patterns.
Silks and Velvets
c/o Yosa Addiss
700 Mass. St. Suite #105
Lawrence, KS 66044, US
catalog@yosa.com
Custom-made corsets, fantasy gowns, wedding gowns, and historical gowns. Plus-size orders are welcome (up to about a US 24) and no additional charge.Daednu comments: Today I received my second Yosa corset. I previously bought an Antique corset from her. I bought my own brocade, and she made a perfectly fitted corset from it. This time I got a Century corset to wear under a bridesmaid gown. I had it made of black cotton for durability. I couldn't be more pleased with it. It's wonderfully finished and looks beautiful even though it's made of plain cotton. The cotton is a perfect weight, and it fits me like a glove.
Trystan comments: I have several items made by Yosa, and they're all divine! The materials are lush, the construction is precise and exquisite, the fit is amazing (even by mail!), and she's just a dream to work with. Highly recommended!!!
Texas Body Hangings
P.O. Box 547
Mt. Enterprise, TX 75681-0547, US
(903) 822-3070
bodyhang@eastex.net Capes and cloaks.Juliet Wisner comments: they have beautiful cloaks! in wool and velveteen, excellent quality, moderate prices, about $200, though their catalog doesn't do the cloaks justice, they are exquisite, I tried them on in the retail store.
Threads of Time
(508) 583-1751
info@threadsoftime.com
Custom-made historical style clothing printed with celtic knotwork for women and men.Daednu comments (5/30/01):I am so impressed with Threads Of Time. I decided I needed some new summer clothes that would grow with me over the next few months. I ordered two pairs of bloomers, a full length chemise and a celtic froca.
I'm leaving for Canada in a few days. I was a dork and decided not long ago I wanted to order these pieces. I figured it was worth a try to see if the owners could work with me, and get the pieces to me in time before I go. I was asking a lot. And they delivered....way better than I even expected.
From ordering, to paying and the items arriving, it took LESS than one week. I was lucky because the celtic froca and chemise were already in stock in my size, but the bloomers had to be custom made for me. I can't believe she managed to work with me to the degree that everything made it from MA to WA in that amount of time.
The bloomers are lovely. Simple black medium/light weight cotton with black lace trim. Every seam is finished. Perfect for curvy girls who don't like their legs rubbing together in the summer. The chemise is natural colour medium weight cotton. Again, attention to detail on the seams. Both come with sturdy cord for fastening.
The celtic froca is worth every single penny. And I can't believe I paid so little for it. It's made of heavy weight black cotton, I believe it's duc. Gorgeous pleating, attention to detail with the boning on each side of the grommets so it doesn't pucker. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit me properly. No problem says the woman I spoke to there. I send it back, and she trusts me enough to send out the new one in time for me to (hopefully) get it before I leave. That is crazy trust.
I will certainly be ordering from Threads Of Time again. The service was fast, friendly, informative, trusting and beyond the call of duty.
Victoria Costumière
24 Ontario St.
Stratford, Ontario, N5A 3G8, Canada
(519) 273-5154
donnetta@execulink.com
Elaborate handmade bridal, formal, and theatrical women's clothing in historical styles. Does custom work and mail-order.
Victorian Trading Company
(800) 700-2035
sales@victoriantradingco.com
Free catalog
Victorian reproduction clothing, jewelry, accessories, toys, furniture, and garden accents.
Weddings for Less
7805 Dunbarton Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90045, US
Phone: (310) 642-6646
Fax: (310) 215-9127
weddingsforless@attbi.com
Bridal gowns and accessories including crinolines and hoop skirts (listed in the "slips & bras" section), Victorian-style boots, and a variety of gloves.Jilli comments: They have something like 4 pages of slips and crinolines, all for cheap, cheap, cheap! The crinolines *mostly* come in white (duh -- it's a bridal supply source), but if you're going to be wearing them under skirts, it won't matter. But, the 'Scarlett O'Hara' crinoline also comes in black! 4-tier skirt made of nylon taffeta with an *ENORMOUS* amount of netting underneath, ankle-length, for $45. I ordered it, and it showed up in the mail 3 weeks later (the lady who took my order said it would normally be a shorter length of time to get my order, but she was going on vacation.) The crinoline is great -- I can nearly block doorways with it, and it works fine as a regular skirt, due to it being made from a nylon taffeta instead of *just* netting. And they have white satin bridal boots that look just like Victorian lace-up boots, and they're *dye-able*.
Trystan comments: I ordered a lovely, very full, petticoat from here for my wedding. I ordered it in black, which they told me would be a special order. It took over two months to get to me (about 2 weeks before the wedding!). But it's a great petticoat for a low price. The only problem is that the netting at the hem catches on book hooks like crazy ;-)
Wings and Roses
3631 Summerhill Dr.
Carson City, NV 89705, US
Fax: (775) 267-1072
archaii@mail.intercomm.com
Catalog $2
Custom-made Renaissance, Victorian, and romantic styled clothing.
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