The Victorian Costume

The last time I went to Carnival in Venice, I bought a lovely red velvet cape in the costume market there.  I have to admit that it was a bit (okay, more than a bit) of an impulse buy but I was caught up in the whole atmosphere and had to have it.  Since then, I have tried to come up with a costume which it could be used for and one that would not be too complicated.  I decided a sort of "Mary Poppins" Victorian look would work - not that I remember Mary Poppins ever wearing a cape, other than a little short one over her shoulders!

So, I more or less had a plan:  some sort of hat, a skirt, a jacket if I could get one figured out, and an umbrella.  Well, it might sound easy but it isn't!  I am not experienced at costumes like my friends, Faye and Barry.  So, I just bungled along and got lots of advice from them to get it together.  

First up was to find a hat.  Thankfully here in Victoria, we have a wonderful hat shop called Roberta's Hats.  The selection there is great and I found exactly what I was looking for - but not, unfortunately, at the price I was hoping for.  Oh well, it was exactly what I was looking for.

Then, I had to "embellish" it according to the suggestions I was getting.  So, we found some red velvet ribbon that matched the cape and some black veil material.  Voila!  The hat was done.

Next up was a wig.  Well, of course, Faye knew about an online wig store called "The Historical Hairdresser" and, poof, just like that, a wig was ordered.  Actually, it looks quite stunning.  

Then, the quest for an umbrella began - it had to look Victorian, be a combination of the right red and black, AND fit into my luggage.  In spite of the splendid umbrella store here called The Umbrellatorium & Canery which has umbrellas of every colour, style and size, that was a tall order.  I could not find one that met all the criteria.  So, Plan B was for me to transform a plain black collapsible "run of the mill one" into something with red lace, black lace, red velvet ribbon, and red and black buttons.  It took some time and quick a lot of needle pricks but finally everything was sewn on and it looked pretty good if I do say so myself!

It occurred to me a little Victorian bag would be good.  So, off I went to a vintage store and found a little beaded "well used" bag for $20.  It needed a bit of fixing - and a new handle - but another thing on the costume list was checked off.  I still need to get that handle sewn on though!

A friend made a long black gathered skirt for me decorating it with more red velvet ribbon and I already had a red mask and gloves.  I was set!  Here is me in some of the costume - sans the bag, gloves, umbrella and skirt (pants and flip flops instead) but you get the idea!

Now I just have to figure out how to pack all this stuff along with my other costume, the 18th century gentleman's one from 2 years ago, to get it all safely to Venice!