Costuming for The Wreckers Before saying anything specific about costuming, let me just say that we certainly don't expect everyone to have a perfectly historically accurate costume for this game. Unless you really enjoy costuming, feel free to go for the general feel of the time rather than historical accuracy. We'll give suggestions for several levels from the fairly easy to put together from things you can buy to acutal vintage patterns. We also have several different classes represented in our game and will give suggestions for all of them. Mens Costume While researching this, I discovered it is far easier to find information for women's dress of this time period than mens. The best that I was able to find is at Ageless Patterns. (www.agelesspatterns.com) Look under "Men." Unfortunately, the patterns are in no particular order. The ones that looked the best to me were: 1870 Grey Smoking Jacket -- (MEN 3) 1877 Gentleman's Muslin Shirt (MEN 4) Victorian Shirt (MEN 7) 1845-1920 Men's Victorian & Edwardian Shirts (MEN 8) 1850-1915 Men's Frock Coat & Vest (MEN 8) 1878 Men's Sack Suit (MEN 8) Two Mid 19th Century Shirts (MEN 10) 1870-1901 One Piece Apron Front Overalls (MEN 10) Those patterns give a general feel of the way men dressed at the time. Specific suggestions: Working class -- some of you will be sailors or fishermen or other working class people. A plain white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and nondescript pants with suspenders will do. Or the Overalls. Specifically for fishermen, especially if your character happens to be Irish -- a plain natural colored aran sweater would be very appropriate. Upper classes -- a nicer shirt, nicer pants, possibly a vest. Of course, if you or someone you know want to make something based on the above, I fully encourage it. I have no connection with ageless patterns and have never ordered anything from them. They merely had the largest slection of patterns I found. If your character has other costuming needs, there will be suggestions in your character sheet. Women's Costumes: Women's fashion underwent some rather drastic changes between 1875 and 1876. We are in a small New England town, and it is perfectly reasonable and realistic for women to be wearing the fasions of the past few years. Very few of you would have had the means to be very up to date in fashion anyway. In the early 1870's, large bustles were fashionable. In 1876, the bustle disappeared, with the fullness of the skirt which had been held up by the bustle being gathered to the back and draped, with no hardware to support it. I encourage you to go look at a bunch of pictures of patterns at www.agelesspatterns.com, particularly the dress patterns, paying attention to the years of the patterns. Please note -- for most of these styles to really look right, you do need the proper undergarments, especially a corset. To take the easy way out, a long full skirt and a victorian blouse will do fine. Simpler blouses for the less wealthy women, fancier for the wealthy women. Here's a cool site on hairstyles of the time that I found: Hair it is Again, if your character has specific costuming needs, it will be mentioned in your character sheets.