Posted by Clabert on February 14, 2001 at 11:40:07:
I just got this from another list. The question posed was, "What make a great Native impression?" The reply came from a female Native Reenactor so look what she has to say about the guys. I`ve been with these folks while at Fort Ti back in `99.
Clabert
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What truly makes a Native re-enacator's impression kick @#^*! ?
.......... from my perspective the old adage "LESS IS MORE" can't be
stressed enough...... a clean shaven guy with a good tan and damn little
else is the most impressive - and i don't mean this in any silly, sexist
way......... i mean it very seriously and hope all of you will take it that
way...... when a WIR male has just the bare necessities on to make himself
legally modest, he looks the best.... the best looking guys i have seen
have spent the bucks to get braintan for their mocs and leggings... and
both of those items are skin tight - i mean REALLY skin tight... nothing
looks as bad as mocs that are too big and so loose that the heel areas are
more like flaps and the center pucker seam is off to one side and
travelling fast.... leggings that are baggy and ill-fitting are a turnoff
to my eyes...... also leggings that go up the thigh too far are boarding on
the plains style look...... as far as breechcloths are concerned a little
decoration goes a long way... simple white beading and a row or two of
ribbon are more than enough,.... cut and length are also important to a
good fitting breechcloth...... if one cannot wear a b/c of period proper
dimensions then they should think twice about doing the impression.... the
fastest way to ruin a good look is to have a shower towel sized b/c......
as far as shirts go, one could talk for hours about them, but i'll say
this, clear or dirty, whole or torn, it really doesn't matter to me as long
as they are (or were) white trade shirts and aren't overly covered in
ruffles....... as for paint, again, LESS IS MORE.... there are dang few
guys (george sluder is one, charlie higley and john failor also) that can
do an entire body paint and make it look good.... also using the sponge and
jug (tempra paint) style of body covering leaves the paint looking very dry
and crackled - not good........ a little bear oil and some crused red ochre
goes a very, very long way and when used in moderation looks stunning!!
for headwear, Nita, gets my vote for best headdress......simple, simple,
simple - next to nothing... just a few feathers occasionally........ the
roach thing, while pretty to look at, is overdone and there are soooo many
more choices available............ accessories can make or break the outfit
all by themselves and i hope others will chime in here to lend a
voice...... don't over do the bells and whistles..... a couple of strands
of wampum, one knife sheath, a pair of armbands/wristbands, etc.... is more
than enough.........
What makes a pathetic Native impression?
......... doing the opposite of the above........ loading on sooooo much
stuff that you can't hardly move from the weight....... painting up like
one is in grade school again.... fingerpainting doesn't get it...........