Costume in the works! Advice greatly Appreciated

Alright, ladies and Gentlemen. I am working on an outfit that i need some advice with. The first being a coat of pirate / gothic design. Best way i can describe it.

http://www.darkknightarmoury.com/p-7876-plus-size-pirates-captain-l...

I'm considering buying this jacket, and getting it tailored to fit better, but am wondering if it'd be cheaper to get one made from scratch to fit my broad size. As you can see from my display picture, i am not a narrow man. My gut, i'm working on but kind of needs to be factored in. As well as my height. I'm just around 6'. My wife and i attend Renaissance faires, as well as conventions, and are looking into steampunk events as a part of the Traveling Knights of the Evangard (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Traveling-Knights-of-the-Evengard...). The outfit i'm working on with minor accessory changes will be able to be used for both. Any thoughts suggestions? maybe you know someone good at seamstitchery in the Lincoln / Omaha nebraska that would be able to assist. I wouldn't mind working side by side while making it to learn how it's done. considering taking some free classes at jo-anns or craft shops to expand my skills.

Thanks! and God Bless!

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Permalink Reply by cody wiley on March 21, 2011 at 10:08pm

You should check out the costumes used in this short film they look amazing! www.indiegogo.com/zc

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Permalink Reply by Joseph DeMarco on March 27, 2011 at 11:15am

That does look awesome, now if i could find a computer that had sound i will watch it again!

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Permalink Reply by Danny Chiang on March 22, 2011 at 12:48am

I can't help you with any recommendations in Nebraska, but I'm lucky enough to have a very good tailor who used to work as a designer. Because of his background he is copy fashions just by looking at pictures or a sample whereas other tailors may need a pattern to create something. So it might be worthwhile to ask around different tailoring shops. As for the jacket, I think it could work, but I can't really tell from the description. I would just avoid anything with padded shoulders which some pirate coats have.

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Permalink Reply by Joseph DeMarco on March 27, 2011 at 11:16am

Thanks for the advice, I'm looking at a few tailors both in lincoln and omaha.

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Permalink Reply by Princess Cindy L. Q. Chisholm on March 22, 2011 at 1:18pm

Try this website. They have really good stuff and I think their prices are comparable. I think this coat looks more able to switch b/ween the 2 (just my opinion). As a seamstress, not in your area, sorry, I can tell you that purchasing this much velvet or even moleskin would be approximately the same price or more. Then you would have to pay labor. Purchasing the coat, if you have the money, and considering the amount of detail, is probably the way to go. Good luck!

http://www.museumreplicas.com/p-367-gentlemans-overcoat.aspx

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Permalink Reply by Joseph DeMarco on March 27, 2011 at 11:10am

oh i do love that coat, my only issue with it is it may be a bit small. wouldn't mind finding someone who could make that coat tailored to my size though. I completely agree it's a lot easier to transition. even the undergarment is a lot more traditional and what i'm looking for.

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Permalink Reply by Roxana Hire on March 27, 2011 at 11:50am

I would second Cindy's recommendation in terms of that style of coat. The one she recomends could more easily be made to work with either era. I don't think that you would do justice to either era of fashion [Renn (1500's) and Victorian (1800's) to go with a 1690-1720's style coat. The "Pirate of the Caribbean" look can work for renn fests, and is done a lot, but you could do better and cheaper for Steampunk. For steampunk you can go to any thrift store and buy a suit coat that fits you, buy a vest and a cravat and you are done. If you want something more rough, you could go with Civil War reenactment uniforms, or a jacket from this site (http://www.retroscopefashions.com/mens.html) I know they are a little "vampy", but the jackets have Victorian lines and they come in XXL.. I would also second the recommendations to find a good tailor. Most dry-cleaning places could alter a tux for you to make it steampunk-er. Good luck. Have fun! :)

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Permalink Reply by Lawrance I Jones on March 22, 2011 at 3:02pm

You may want to ask the employees at local fabric/craft stores for the name of someone who may not be a tailor by trade but can sew costumes well. At my local Jo-Ann's they always ask 'What are you making?' when you buy fabric and they get to know who does what. Alternatively, they also have a notice board where you can put up an advertisement.