So since my last post I’ve been poking around looking at the presentation aspect of performance. How will I present myself to concert goers? I’m not really a girly person, but I do want to look my best for you all when I’m out on the road.
I’ll be singing music from a 25 year period in the early 20th century (1913-1935), but for women’s fashion there were huge changes. The 1910’s saw corsets give way to more fitted but longer dresses. In the 1920’s skirt hemlines shrank, hair was bobbed, and clothing had long lines to show more of a “boyish” appearance. The 1930’s brought some middle ground of sorts-hair and hemlines grew a little longer, and curves were back in. All within a generation.
Looking at vintage fashions and fabrics online, one thing is clear for me: I will have to have whatever I wear built from scratch with non-synthetic fabrics (wool, silk, cotton). I cannot fit into anything historical-period. My 21st century frame of 5’10” (1.77 meters) puts me at least two inches taller (5cm) than the average man, and 6-8 inches taller (15-20cm) than the average woman of the time in America. I don’t even have to look into the weight part of it.
I’m not going to change costumes several times during a performance to show off these differences-this is not a Vegas show! I want to wear just one dress for each show, and have a backup dress to wear in case one is at the cleaners.
So I’ve got a few ideas, and I’m taking your input. What do you all think of these fashions? Would you feel weird/annoyed seeing someone sing something from 1932 that’s wearing a dress from 1916, or vice versa? While I will ultimately decide what to use, I would love feedback. The “non-girly” side of me needs your opinion.
Here’s some links to follow for fashion ideas if you don’t know the periods well:
The 1910’s
The 1920’s
The 1930’s
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Thanks!