Little Details, Big Difference

The third most frequent question that I get asked when doing living history is "why does it look like that guy is wearing a costume, but you look like the real deal?"

The top two questions, in case you were wondering,
are: "Are you hot?" and "Where's the bathroom?"

Living historians are prone to not giving the general public they deserve for spotting things that are off. No, they probably are not going to realize that your coat is made with 10 stitches per inch instead of 14, or that it's not died with pure indigo. But they can always tell when something doesn't quite look right. I'm not talking about blatant farberism here i.e. tennis shoes instead of accurate footwear, Levi's instead of jean cloth, tourist hats instead historically accurate hats. I'm pretty sure even the History Channel can spot those inaccuracies 😂

The general public will notice when someone's impression does not quite fit in with the rest. They can also tell a great impression from a good impression. We, as living historians, need to self educate and self regulate to improve the overall impression of the group. Little details do make a big difference. There are a few things small improvements that I would suggest to take a passable or good 18th century impression, and turn it into a great one.

Cuffs and Sleeve Buttons
There are fewer things more frustrating and time consuming than sewing a proper 18th century shirt, which is probably why it's not done often. The seams are long, they should all be felled (yay double sewing!), seam allowances are tiny, and it's all for something that no one is really going to see. There is parts that people will see though, your cuffs.

It's a pet peeve of mine to see people walking around with big honking sleeve cuffs and giant buttons closing them. Not only is it not historically correct, it just doesn't look right. Most sleeves cuffs were thin, closed with sleeve buttons (cuff links), and were adorned with this decorate stiching that is colloquially called "The Stitch."

The Stitch is frustrating, it is is time consuming, but it will take your shirt up many notches. To accomplish it you pull a single thread lengthwise 3/8 inch into the arm band, then you fold lengthwise 1/4 inch in and do a back stitch were you pulled the thread catching 2-3 threads every time. Then you fold the band in half, pull another thread 1/8 inch from the fold and do it again. Complicated right?

I'm not saying redo you entire shirt that people are not going to see, but if you replace you ridiculous looking cuffs with properly stitched cuffs, it really brings your impression to the next level and people will admire your great attention to detail.

Glasses: Leave them at Home
Both my vision and my wife's vision sucks. I wear contacts, she wears glasses. There are many vendors who sell "reproduction" spectacles that are close, but can be made better with some small alterations, to being 18th century accurate. What is not accurate is near sighted persons wearing them all the time. Look at period images, even of Ben Franklin, and you will not see people walking around wearing spectacles. If you wear glasses normally, invest in some contacts for events, it will be more accurate than any reproduction spectacles that you can find.

Overlooked Modern Jewelry
This is a weird one. Many people think about more obvious jewelry choices (don't wear your best Run DMC dookie chain), but they forget about the easily overlooked pieces like modern engagement rings and wedding bands. Maybe it's because I noticed one time and now cannot unsee it, but I immediately notice when people are wearing modern wedding bands. I would suggest investing in a Poisie ring or a simple silver band to make sure you don't stick out like a sore thumb.

Alright, that's it for now. I have my other tips and tricks that can take your impression up a notch, but I think that I've done enough venting for now.