Deadeye

Thanks Kass. I Think I have decided on straight-lasted shoes from C&D Jarnagin, I think they will be a bit more in my Price-range. I will have to go with a EE, but Greg tells me that Straight-Lasted shoes run a bit wide, so i think I'll be alright. Tell your Husband I fell his Pain, my proportions are all off their Rocker. Makes my Uniform shopping impossible!

Stunning, Kass! (the Dress is nice too! j/k) I Was wondering if you knew of a site that sells either premade garments, or patterns for Full Figured and very Busty Ladies? My wife would really like to participate with me, but is having problems finding constume articles.

I should have things back up and running in the next month, so just keep an eye out for updates.

Do ye Make shirts in size "Large, Girthy Mammal"?

Sounds Great. I was very Irked when i found a link to you site and come to find it out of service. Can't wait to see the Merch!

Wow! Cool to see marlinespike.com mentioned here

I actually posted them a fw weeks ago in PLUNDER under "Swag fer yer Quarters". Been a longtime admirer myself of their work, and have studied the pictures to try and further my marlinespiking.

I think they also sell the plans and patterns for their chests if i am not mistaken.

Deadeye, does the Crocodile fear Tock Itch?

No But i hear he gets horrible indigestion every morning when the Alarm goes off!

Let's not forget ye poxiest of all ye sea villians....Hooke-Handed Harold 

What Does Captain Hook fear more than the Crocodile?

Jock Itch!!!

Just thought id lighten the mood a bit, whilst trying to absorb everything being said...

me thinks I would, but only wear when goin ashore. Now, I am putting Myself and MY personality in the 17teens, but..

I believe in utilitarianism. I wouldnt give up me me slops or shirt if they were in workin order. But i may take somthin fer when they wear out. The Fineries would be reserved fer wenchin (Sort of the 18th century equivalent of a Ferrari). I Says, Ifn I dont need, I dont wear it, I Sell it

Word of warning, unless you do a lot of re-enacting in the cold I'd recommend away from silk shirts for practical reasons - they get damn hot!

Way ahead of you on that. Thanks fer the input, as I have already decided to nix the silk idea. And My Wench reminded me last night just how hot that wormy stuff gets!

The funny part about it is that I had a real problem NOT linning it or making it semi period..... when all I wanted was something to play in........ and not be to warm......

I Know the sentiment exactly. One of the thing i love about Playin a Pirate is you can get away with a light colored, open chested shirt and breezy breeches and nobody looks at ya funny. An added bonus comes in wetting down yer head scarf and neckerchief also. When i did Faires and Events in SoCal and TX in the middle of summer, that came in handy!

I Always pittied the Nobles in their 50lbs of velvet and the knights in their fryin pans!

Good to know about the silk. I appreciate all the posts. Now im in the market for linen or somethin else that would work, perhaps Fustian. Correct me if im wrong, but isnt Fustian as Linen/cotton blend?

Thanks mates. the reason I asked is that i saw a Raw silk shirt from Barkertown Sutlers that they claim is 1730-1770 pattern, so i was just curious.

GoF, any idea where i can get checked linen?

Would Raw Silk have been common enough during the GAoP to be made into a shirt for reenacting? Contrary to popular belief, I want to show a bit of individuality, but not way out in left field

While we're on the subject of weapons, were cutlasses common in 1650 or were rapiers more common?

From period pics i have seen, they had cutlasses or axes mostly. The Cutlass may not have been as "refined" as we know it, probably still in its "from-big-meat-cleaving-knife-to-sword" transition period. That would be my guess. Of course an Axe is period no matter what period you are reenacting, it just depends on what style you carry.

A couple of things: swords, almost always, belonged to the ship. There's just NO reason to wear one around whilst aboard.

Agreed, but partially. I know in the Navy, the swords belonged to the ship, and were locked away unless preparing for combat to avoid mutiny. But several Pirate or privateer manifests (the one set forth by Bartholomew Robers is the one that comes to mind) state that all members are to keep their weapons clean and ready for battle at all times. Now obviously you couldn't wear one while working the ship, so was it that they keep their peice with their hammock or locked in a cabinet somewhere, or were they in fact part of the ships gear?

I tend to believe it was a little of both. depending on ship, captain, ect.

Yep. And sometimes we sorta jump up and down and break a few things along the way. 

But we mean well.

Well that is obvious. I say a little Good natured "Heated discussion" is healthy fer us all.

As fer my two bits, i say this... As far as Any historical time period, We can have a Pretty good Idea based on historical evidence, common sense and perhaps a bit of gross speculation but we will never truly KNOW for certain so somethings i feel are open to personal interpretation..

*Disclaimer* "Personal interpretation" does not mean "Yes its a new fabric i invented. I Call it Polyester"

WOW... I just want to point out that I just had a simple question and you guys just ran with it!.... that what i Love about this place... never a dull moment

. Sounds petty, but if you came from Britain (or your character came from Britain) you'd appreciate the difference.

Agreed

On the whole seamen were seamen when it came to fashion, and there was no equivalent of the Scottish plaid for telling them apart.

*Ahem* My Turn... Thats a TARTAN. NOT a plaid. Theres a difference, slight as it may be, but the difference should be appreciates...

Thanks GoF. I certainly want a straight lasted shoe, and if they do tend to run wider than perhaps a EE will suit me, especially if they will stretch. Me Dear mum always said i had Fred Flintstone feet, so perhaps i am destined to roam barefoot till the loot comes in a bit!

do any of you mates know where I can gets me a set in a 9.5 EEE width that wont break the bank? i know it's and odd size... but no one every said i was exactly normal, now did they?

Probably doesn't help much, but might make ye feel better about that horse cinch ye be wearing about yer waist!

Aye a little! Though it's sorta fitting, for I am a Large, Girthy, Mammal!

I will admit that i always liked the wide belt look, but what you like and what really was isn't always the same thing!

And I'm certain that MANY a pirate would decorate his personal possessions with materials, techniques and styles familar to him. It's just a shame so much belonging to the ordinary seaman is lost forever.

Hear Hear! I Plan to Carry a Basket Hilt (not sure if i want to go with the Backsword or Broadsword yet ) And i already have a Highlander shirt. But im still not sure when the Glengarry first came about. Bonnets are inexpensive, and will suit me untill i can afford a slouch hat. Besides, it's always fun to play the Scot who's slightly annoyed and bickering with his Brittish counterparts

I was wonderin from the lot of ya (Blackjohn, GoF, Foxe, Hawkyns and anyone else) about a few items of clothing for an authentic costume. As we all know, not all pirates in the GAop were English, so what i was ponderin, was: Would they incorperate some aspects of their heritage, so long as they were practical, into their daily dress?

Fer instance, I was wanting to incorperate perhaps a Highland Bonnet or a Glangarry as me headgear. Would a Ghillie shirt be an appropriate choice along with me slops and stockings? Just little things to add some National flavor. What would you all think?

Of course you had to wash the mugs more carfully, and more often.

with my Hemp and cotton work, such as on my Drinkin horn and other things that need regular washin or exposing to elements, i like to wax them. One of the best things i have found to use, and cheapest, is white surfboard wax. rub a good coating on then work in with your fingers and it will tack up and become not only pretty and waterproof, but makes for nice thermal protection.

and you could make three authentic narrow belts out of one wide Hollywood belt.

Jus a Question, for the sake of authenticity. What is the average width of a GOaP belt? I have never found any good references so i had to "Howard Pyle" it and went with 3". Also, would a 1.5" square brass buckle be right? or should i start lookin fer another?