Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Corset/Braselette/Dominatrix Costume

Author

Message

tristanrobin
Celebrity

Joined: 4/25/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 704

Topic: Corset/Braselette/Dominatrix Costume
Posted: 9/17/08 at 7:06pm

I'm doing a show (for free) at a local university and there is NO money. The script is "Noon" by Terrence McNally - and it's necessary for one of the women to wear a sexy corset or braselette dominatrix costume. These things are REALLY expensive. And, though I can build costumes, I think a boned corset is a little more complicated than my skills can handle.

Any idea how to get a really cheap version of this kind of costume?

edited to add: this is also being produced in the round in a SMALL black box theatre, so it has to look pretty good up-close.

IP Logged

kaelidancer
Lead
Lead

Joined: 8/06/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 49

Posted: 9/17/08 at 9:38pm

Corsets are hard to fake... maybe contact your local lingerie shop (or "adult" store, they have lots of corsets), and see if you can manage a loaner in exchange for a spot in the program and some free tickets. "Lingerie provided by (whoever)"

A lot of places will go for something like that. Especially the naughty "adult" shops, since they're usually locally owned, those guys love free advertising.

Kaeli Gardner
Johnson City Community Theatre
www.jcct.us
www.gardnerarts.com

IP Logged

SherrieAnne
Star
Star

Joined: 8/08/06
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 72

Posted: 9/18/08 at 7:26am

I don't think a retail outlet is going to lend such an item. since health codes would then dictate they couldn't sell it. Corsets look a lot harder to make than they are - I made one in about four hours (the hardest part was finding the proper busk!)

You MIGHT want to look around for a Civil War reenacting group in your area - one that encourages civilian participation. You might be able to borrow a corset from one of their ladies - but it probably won't be terribly fancy. And your actress probably won't appreciate wearing one with a busk - they take a bit of getting used to.

Have you checked ebay? There's a bunch on there with bids starting fairly low ($9.99)...just put in "corset" under "Women's Clothing", you'll get about 400 hits.

There's a little bit of diva in all of us. Some just have a larger helping than others.

IP Logged

Linda S
Celebrity

Joined: 4/16/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 312

Posted: 9/18/08 at 8:39am

I have had really good luck at Goodwill. They are usually white, but a box of dye, a couple of ribbons and some lace fixes that. Somethimes you can find black and red, usually after Valentines Day. It is worth a look. I usually pay around a $1.00 for them.

Linda

IP Logged

Nanette
Celebrity

Joined: 8/01/06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 399

Posted: 9/18/08 at 8:51am

Halloween is approaching, so you may be able to find a corset-type costume at a store. Try something like Spencers; not your local Wal-Mart.

You could always try emailing your need to everyone on your email list. You might be surprised to find some closet dominatrix already in your cast!

In a world of margarine, be butter!

IP Logged

tristanrobin
Celebrity

Joined: 4/25/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 704

Posted: 9/18/08 at 9:25am

great ideas, all!
thanks!
I'm off to ebay - and to Goodwill (I would have gone there first, but I thought it was illegal to resell underwear - who knew?! LOL)

IP Logged

Nanette
Celebrity

Joined: 8/01/06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 399

Posted: 9/18/08 at 9:47am

Just a note regarding underwear (gee, that sounds weird) ...

Years ago I worked in a highend store and we were taught that underwear CAN be returned. Most stores say it can't be, but it's just their policy. It cannot be resold in retail establishments. However, 2nd hand stores may resell it.

In a world of margarine, be butter!

IP Logged

neilfortin
Celebrity

Joined: 11/20/06
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 210

Posted: 10/03/08 at 11:34am

hey hey!

I'm not sure of the time you have...or the resources...but the making of a corset is hard...but not THAT hard. its definitely a challange...but a fun one! Your traditional pattern suppliers (simplicity...Mcalls...) have some GREAT patterns for corsets. We just did Cyrano and had to make at least 10...and they were really very easy to complete after the first one. There are some great online stores where you can get the boning...either steel or plastic...and go to town. afterall, you need VERY little fabric to complete them. If you need more info just PM me...ill let you know how the whole process went!

Neil

Community Theater makes us smile

IP Logged

Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup

Author	Message
tristanrobin Celebrity Joined: 4/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Topic: Corset/Braselette/Dominatrix Costume Posted: 9/17/08 at 7:06pm
	I'm doing a show (for free) at a local university and there is NO money. The script is "Noon" by Terrence McNally - and it's necessary for one of the women to wear a sexy corset or braselette dominatrix costume. These things are REALLY expensive. And, though I can build costumes, I think a boned corset is a little more complicated than my skills can handle. Any idea how to get a really cheap version of this kind of costume? edited to add: this is also being produced in the round in a SMALL black box theatre, so it has to look pretty good up-close.

	IP Logged

kaelidancer Lead Joined: 8/06/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 49	Posted: 9/17/08 at 9:38pm
	Corsets are hard to fake... maybe contact your local lingerie shop (or "adult" store, they have lots of corsets), and see if you can manage a loaner in exchange for a spot in the program and some free tickets. "Lingerie provided by (whoever)" A lot of places will go for something like that. Especially the naughty "adult" shops, since they're usually locally owned, those guys love free advertising.
	Kaeli Gardner Johnson City Community Theatre www.jcct.us www.gardnerarts.com
	IP Logged

SherrieAnne Star Joined: 8/08/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 72	Posted: 9/18/08 at 7:26am
	I don't think a retail outlet is going to lend such an item. since health codes would then dictate they couldn't sell it. Corsets look a lot harder to make than they are - I made one in about four hours (the hardest part was finding the proper busk!) You MIGHT want to look around for a Civil War reenacting group in your area - one that encourages civilian participation. You might be able to borrow a corset from one of their ladies - but it probably won't be terribly fancy. And your actress probably won't appreciate wearing one with a busk - they take a bit of getting used to. Have you checked ebay? There's a bunch on there with bids starting fairly low ($9.99)...just put in "corset" under "Women's Clothing", you'll get about 400 hits.
	There's a little bit of diva in all of us. Some just have a larger helping than others.
	IP Logged

Linda S Celebrity Joined: 4/16/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 312	Posted: 9/18/08 at 8:39am
	I have had really good luck at Goodwill. They are usually white, but a box of dye, a couple of ribbons and some lace fixes that. Somethimes you can find black and red, usually after Valentines Day. It is worth a look. I usually pay around a $1.00 for them. Linda
	IP Logged

Nanette Celebrity Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399	Posted: 9/18/08 at 8:51am
	Halloween is approaching, so you may be able to find a corset-type costume at a store. Try something like Spencers; not your local Wal-Mart. You could always try emailing your need to everyone on your email list. You might be surprised to find some closet dominatrix already in your cast!
	In a world of margarine, be butter!
	IP Logged

tristanrobin Celebrity Joined: 4/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Posted: 9/18/08 at 9:25am
	great ideas, all! thanks! I'm off to ebay - and to Goodwill (I would have gone there first, but I thought it was illegal to resell underwear - who knew?! LOL)
	IP Logged

Nanette Celebrity Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399	Posted: 9/18/08 at 9:47am
	Just a note regarding underwear (gee, that sounds weird) ... Years ago I worked in a highend store and we were taught that underwear CAN be returned. Most stores say it can't be, but it's just their policy. It cannot be resold in retail establishments. However, 2nd hand stores may resell it.
	In a world of margarine, be butter!
	IP Logged

neilfortin Celebrity Joined: 11/20/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 210	Posted: 10/03/08 at 11:34am
	hey hey! I'm not sure of the time you have...or the resources...but the making of a corset is hard...but not THAT hard. its definitely a challange...but a fun one! Your traditional pattern suppliers (simplicity...Mcalls...) have some GREAT patterns for corsets. We just did Cyrano and had to make at least 10...and they were really very easy to complete after the first one. There are some great online stores where you can get the boning...either steel or plastic...and go to town. afterall, you need VERY little fabric to complete them. If you need more info just PM me...ill let you know how the whole process went! Neil
	Community Theater makes us smile
	IP Logged

Topic: Corset/Braselette/Dominatrix Costume( Topic Closed)