Costume Fun with a Chronic Illness

My last several posts have had at least mentions of the fact that I have severe endometriosis, and have had several surgeries related to it in the last two years. I have talked about the impacts that the illness, treatments, and procedures have had on my life. As it stands, I am currently taking a break from pursuing my fashion degree, had to go from a pretty decent job to one that pays less but are more than willing to work with my physical capabilities, and came very close to backing out of the Summer in the City show back in June (I didn't). I also have had to pass or cancel on other events due to my health, including joining my husband for the annual SeaDog Nights and Gypsy Carnival pirate festival in Lebanon, Oregon, this past July. Being several months past surgery, being on a harsh treatment for the endometriosis, the nerve/back pain that forced me to leave my job...we just didn't think the time was right. 2016 is my year, though, starting with Matt wanting to treat a related event in March as my debutante ball.

One of my biggest obstacles with this, however, is costuming. I've already been having to deal with the pain in the ass of costuming while having issues with my weight. But now I have to figure in bloating, back/hip pain, swelling, medications, even surgery. Even now, eight months after surgery, certain items of clothing get worn rarely or not at all because they sit uncomfortably on one of my incision sites, and the nerve endings have yet to return normal feeling to my lower abdomen. I discovered at a friend's Halloween wedding that my underbust corset was the only thing keeping me standing without having to resort to a cane. Oh, and then there's the occasional need to use a cane now. Leggings and loose tops have become wardrobe staples. Heels can't be worn for very long if I'm constantly on the move. But there aren't many resources out there for cosplaying while broken. I mean, there's this one chick who's been putting herself out there, but how she addresses having to work her costumes around tubes and a wheelchair doesn't necessarily reflect how I need to address my own needs. I've already decided to work with higher waistlines to accommodate my belly on crappy days, but will still work with belts and corsets. I'm looking at designing my corsets to be adjustable to my abdominal status at the time of wear. Sleeves and skirts will have to be able to be restrained in the event I need to bust out the cane. And then there's the cane. The one I bought from the store for fifteen bucks to help me get back on my feet faster after my latest surgery certainly isn't piratey or steampunky, nor is it portable for when it's not in use, but on-hand just in case. I need to work in a way to have my pain meds on me and be able to safely take them when needed. I may look at maternity fashion in the 18th and 19th centuries for ideas, too.

I will, of course, share my findings and results here. And any suggestions are more than welcome.

Plus Styling, Pt. 1

Over the last several years, I've had a serious issue with weight gain, and putting it off. I've recently come to terms with the fact that, until I can get back to a healthier weight, I can't dress the way I used to when I was around 150. Plus sized clothing has always been quite possibly the most unflattering clothing I have ever seen. So I've started poking around in maternity. Now, Maurices has some cute clothing for plus women, and I've seen a thing or two in the windows at Lane Bryant that I would probably wear, but let's face it: bigger women are often stuck wearing clothing that makes them look old and/or dumpy. In order to find clothes that look good on our figures, we have to be willing to drop down a considerable amount of money on bespoke clothing. Then you get the plus women who dress like skinny teens. Hey, if you're that comfortable with yourself, all the more power to you, but you still look like doughy shit.

I've always been a bit on the thicker side. I was a 32C by the time I turned 13. I've always had wide hips and a big ass. A black girl in boot camp with me told me I had an ass that would make most of her friends jealous. Seriously. Black girls are jealous of my rear end. Okay. So buying clothes that fit me and didn't look like crap has always been a challenge. Being a whole lot bigger has increased that challenge.

Well, I like a challenge. So, as part of my degree (oh, yeah, I'm working towards a degree in fashion design), I'm doing a styling class this semester. Not only will it help me as a designer when it comes to dressing models, but it will help me pretty much dress myself, too. As I complete each stage of my first project for the class, I will post the photos here, as well.

The first part of the project was to take one garment and style it on its own. I took a peasant-style knit maxi skirt I bought at Maurices in Spring 2012, and created twelve looks using only this skirt and some safety pins. Some were not entirely flattering on my figure, but would probably work well on women with smaller frames.

Look 1 was simply the skirt in its natural position.

Look 2 was made by rolling the hemline up and securing it with a safety pin.

Look 3 is the same as 2, except both sides.

Looks 4 and 8 (I failed somewhere) are much like 2 and 3.

Wow, I really did number these out of order, didn't I?

Look 5 was done by wearing the skirt like a strapless dress, and using a safety pin to create a sweetheart top.

Look 6 is taking the rather useless ties on the waistband, and turning them into halter straps.

Look 7 is seriously just wearing the skirt around the bust instead of the hips.

Look 9 was actually the last one I did. The waistband became the hem, and using safety pins, I half-assed draped the body of the skirt.

For Look 10, I created an open and drapey single sleeve.

Look 11 is a baggy strapless sweetheart.

And Look 12.

I think that given more to work with, some of these could look pretty killer, even on my frame. Some of these will be revisited in the later phases of the project that allow for additional garments and accessories. 

So, what do you think? If better planned out, are these styles that could work well for fuller figured women? I would definitely love to hear your input!

Till next time.