It's the Most Wonderful Time. . .

My apologies for going so long with no posts! It does seem that after August things spiral into the insanely hectic up until sometime after the holiday season. Just wanted you all to know that I've not fallen off the face of the earth! I was working on a post on identifying good WWII style sweaters and realized that a lot of my tips applied to more than that, so I'm hoping to have some sort of garment identification tips post soon. TTFN, dearies!

First Impressions - An Introduction and Tips

Choosing an impression is a very personal experience, but one of the most important things to consider when getting into the hobby. Some impressions are easier (and cheaper) and some impressions are much more difficult (and expensive). My personal recommendation is to start with something simple, and then work your way into what suits your needs and interests. I will (and have) likely touch on this in many other posts, but everything boils down to and is effected by your impression and what you want to do/how you want to look.

So, I've decided to do a series of posts about different impressions starting with civilian all the way through military impressions. But first. . .

Some Tips

• I like to think of impressions as sort of a role playing experience, where I ask myself, "If I were ________ in ________, what would I do/wear/be?" 
• Related to the above, sometimes it helps to do an impression that suits your real life persona. For example, if you're a nurse, then be a nurse! I do photography, so I do a War Correspondent Photographer impression. It makes it that much more real for spectators when you actually know what you're talking about. That's not saying if you aren't really a nurse you can't be one, or that if you ARE really a nurse that you HAVE to be one. It's just a suggestion of a place to start where you will already be on familiar ground. 
• You're not limited to one! Never feel like you have to always do the same thing at every event. That being said. . . 
• Always choose an impression that is right for the event. If the event is in England in 1942, a female Russian military impression isn't going to really gel. 
• Choose something doable. If your budget doesn't allow for purchasing a complete military uniform straight off, then definitely don't pick it as a first impression. 
• Do your research! This becomes more important the more involved the impression is. Civilians were everywhere, so that's why I consider it the simplest. Research things about the year, the country the event is in, whether your unit (if you have one) would have been there. . . everything you can. It's also a good way to really "get in the mood" for the event the week(s) before.
• Choose something you WANT to do. There is no substitute for genuine enthusiasm when it comes to getting into reenacting in general. If you choose an impression because it's convenient or you were told it's what you should do, you'll never really be happy with it, or worse, decide not to reenact at all. Which brings me to the biggest tip. . .
• Have fun! Getting an impression together, especially when done with like-minded friends, can be loads of fun, only to be matched by the fun to be had at an event!

Quick update! Ballyhoo Vintage + New Posts Coming Soon!

New posts coming soon! Been very busy with updates to the house, but I'll be gearing up for an event in August and helping out a few ladies that are joining us! In the meantime, check out Ballyhoo Vintage Clothing. Their prices range from reasonable to somewhat expensive for rare items, but everything in is beautiful original condition and they seem to really know what they're talking about! Also, lot's of great shoes. ;)

Vintage 1930's jumper 

1930's Chambray Slacks

1940's Red Strappy Pumps

Link to Love - LisaFreemontStreet

At some point I will tackle the massive issue of "What do I do with my hair?" but for now I just have to share one of my all time favorite inspirations: LisaFreemontStreet.

I stumbled across her a couple of years ago when I was looking into doing victory rolls, and I've been following her work ever since. She's from Memphis Tennessee and does wonderful WONDERFUL hair tutorials, makeup guides, product reviews, and general awesomeness on youtube. She actually does vintage from several eras, but the 40's is one of her most beloved. Some "vintage" hair and makeup mavens, while absolutely amazing if you want a general vintage or rockabilly look, don't really fuss with authenticity. LisaFreemontStreet does, and knows exactly what she's talking about. She does loads of authentic 40's hairstyles, and even has at least two videos of nothing but talking authentic 40's and WWII hair and makeup. She even explains in some hair tutorials how it would have been done THEN, vs what you can do instead with modern appliances and hair gadgets. Amazing. There's no way I can top her videos as far as authentic 1940's beauty goes, so I'm going to turn it over to her.

Lisa Freemont Street youtube channel
Lisa Freemont Pages blog
Lisa Freemont Street on facebook

Some specifically applicable videos:

More videos. . .

Shoes Part III - Let's Get Some Shoes!

The exciting trilogy conclusion to "Shoes Part I- Questions to ask yourself before purchasing" and "Shoes Part II- Original Examples and Characteristics"

SO, you've done all of your research and you're ready to go shoe shopping!
Let's pop on down to Belk and grab a pair!

If only it were that easy.

Actually on very very rare occasions, you may find some decent shoes at a retail shop. I have a pair that, though they came from a thrift shop, are modern "Sofft" brand shoes that are decently accurate (and croc embossed leather to boot!). But I'm here to talk more about options outside of that. There are more than you might think!

Tips on Identifying Originals "in the field"

Obviously, the very best way to have authentic looking shoes is to get actual shoes from the era. It gets bit tricky to distinguish some vintage shoes from one another, and truthfully some shoes from the 60's by all accounts look like shoes from the 40's. Just like today, it seems as though shoe stores still sold "out of style" older looking shoes for older people that still dressed that way! Or maybe shoes just didn't change that much. Either way I have seen "later" shoes that are passable as 40's. The important thing is to rely on your own judgment and research when shopping. A good tell for vintage shoes is the INSIDE. If it has a modern looking inside, with lots of colors and insole shaping and such, they're modern. Shoes from the 40's typically have a very simple liner that may or may not be stamped with a maker or shoe store, sometimes in gold foil. Most of the time this label has long since worn off, and you're left with a thin leather liner piece (usually the same color as the shoes) at the bottom, or no liner at all! This DID continue on into the 50's and 60's, with insoles getting more decorative and colorful, and makers marks getting more complicated. A good tip would be to make a little album of original pictures or notes that you can reference on your phone. That way, when you're out shopping and you think you've found something that will work, you can whip out your reference images and compare.

Places to shop!

Thrift Shops/Antique Stores/Flea Markets

By far the cheapest way to find some good shoes is to purchase secondhand. It is also the most time-consuming. HOWEVER, it's also the best way to pick up most of what you'll need for a civilian impression, so it my well be worth it to go bargain hunting! Goodwill's shoes are always the same price no matter what, local thrift stores tend to be the least picked over by vintage fashion wearers, especially if they're ones that only people "in the know" know about. Ask around! Antique Stores will be a bit more pricey, but also a bit more curated. You'll be more likely to actually find real vintage shoes, but may have to pay $10 more for them. Flea Markets are a bit hit or miss, since they're a little bit of everything. In my experience, people who specialize in clothing don't go to Flea Markets as much to set up, since it's a lot to transport for less money to be made than say, collectible glassware or furniture. That doesn't mean you should rule them out!

Etsy/Ebay

Same rules as thrift and antique store shopping apply to etsy and ebay shopping, only you have to be more careful. In short, a search for "1940's shoes" will turn up a lot of shoes that are not. Just because a listing claims shoes are 1930's or 1940's does not mean they are. Some people list things that are vaguely 1940's style, some people tag things as 1940's because the shoes are not a definitive style and they want to include all the options, and. . . some people don't know what they're talking about. Don't get me wrong! Most sellers deal in all eras of clothing, so they're simply not into one particular era enough to be able to distinguish between them easily. But it does mean you have to question whether something is authentic even when it's seemingly trustworthy.

Dance Stores

A good basic shoe for reenacting is a "character" shoe that is made for theater, ballroom, and swing dancing. In fact, swing dancing shoes especially are even made to look 40's! The most basic option is called a "character shoe" and makes for a decently priced plain black shoe. Also, being dance shoes, they are made to be quite comfortable! The only downside to these is that, being made for dancing, they have smooth bottoms for dance floors and wouldn't be very suitable for grassy/rocky on-site events (unless they are made with "street soles"and are labeled as such). Also, not all character shoes have a very authentic look, but most are quite good. They have T-strap styles as well that, though they would have been going out of style in the US at the time, are still very nice (especially for early war events or non-American impressions).

Sansha suede Flemenco shoes
$54.25 from Discount Dance

Theatricals "Baby Louis" Character shoes
Downside- faux leather  Upside- good price
$24.55 at Discount Dance

Aris Allen in particular has some very good swing dance shoes that are actually modeled after originals!

Aris Allen 3 Buckle Velvet
$69.95 at Dance Store. Also comes in brown.

Aris Allen Mesh Peep-Toe
$59.95 at Dance Store. Also comes in all black and all white.

Aris Allen Velvet and Mesh Mary Janes
$64.95 at Dance Store. Also comes in black and white and indigo and white.

Aris Allen Peep Toe Nubuck Mary Janes
$79.95 at Dance Store. 

1930's style Aris Allen Velvet Oxford
$54.95 at Dance Store. Also comes in black, tan, and fuchsia.

Also, they have a Sale Page.

More options. . .