Hello Everybody. Here's a quick little update. Here is a costuming guidebook for those that are lost on where to start with coming up with a costume for the ball. No one is limited to just what is in this book but it is a place to start. Keep an eye out as it will eventually be available in game as well. Have fun costume planning.
Title: Costuming: Masquerade
by Cihaol Esiglaan
This time we will focus on common elements for masquerade costumes and quick tips for putting together a fabulous costume. Even the poorest or time strapped citizen can put together a good costume without planning for months or spending their last tria.
_-~*~-Masks-~*~-_
Obviously, the main focus for any masquerade is the mask. Even if you have an otherwise simple costume, a good mask can make it great.
Masks come in various shapes, some are face shaped, some are face shaped with attached shapes, and some are completely unique shapes with eye holes for sight. Also, decorations vary a lot. Sometimes the main decoration is the shape of the mask. Some masks have bright colors and some have attached decoration like feathers. Other masks have fine details like painted vines. However, let us take a moment and examine the differences in shape and decoration a little closer.
Face shaped masks can range from covering your whole face to merely framing your face. Full faced masks cover all of your features only leaving room for eye shaped holes to see through. Next are half mask which cover your forehead down to your nose leaving the lower part of your face exposed. Then come the eye masks which mainly wrap around the eyes leaving most of the face exposed. Lastly are masks that consists of open decorations around the eyes. The easiest way to truly describe such a mask is to imagine a tiara pattern over the face with open spots around the eyes also. Your choice of mask shape may depend on such things as costs, how recognizable you wish to be, and the theme of your costume. That brings us to our next element.
_-~*~-Themes-~*~-_
Any good masquerade costume has a theme; however, any theme will do if it is consistent. The theme is so important because it can determine your mask, your costume, props, and level of detail.
Themes come in roughly three broad categories: People, Nature, Abstract Concepts. To illustrate, you may have a costume for a queen, a tree, or love. Generally, the more abstract costumes allow for the most freedom. After all, what does rage, knowledge, or friendship look like? Further, the complicated a natural thing or person you choose, the more complicated a convincing costume will need to be. For instance, a queen costume is not going to be very convincing if it only consists of a plain mask and a cloak, but a waterfall might only require an interesting mask and flowing, water colored material for the costume. Try to pick a costume idea that fits within your time and budget constraints.
_-~*~-Costume Materials:-~*~-_
Materials are important, but they are not so important that only the best quality material can make a good costume. Execution is more important and in some cases lesser quality material is more appropriate. For instance, if you are dressed as a blacksmith, lots of fine quality silks probably won't look right, but using more common materials would fit much better. What is needed more than good material is a good tailor. A sloppy costume won't look right no matter what materials are used and a good tailor can work magic even with humble materials. Just be sure to keep your costume plans within the limits of your budget.
Further, your mask can range in materials. Some masks are made from paper goods, wood or lightweight metals. A good lacquering job can preserve even a paper based mask for a long time. However, make sure that your mask is not too heavy as you wouldn't want it to fall off.
_-~*~-Planning and Style-~*~-_
With a little bit of fore thought, you can create a costume that will have people talking for ages later. Doing research on key elements of your costume's theme is the best place to start. For instance, if you wish to be an apple tree. Find a tailor or mask maker that can work apple leaves into the design. Or if you decided to dress as rage, use bright colors and have a costume with bold, expressive lines. Also, take a few style liberties with your costume. If you decide to dress as a guard, exaggerate elements rather than try for as completely accurate a costume as possible. In the case of guards, I'm sure they will appreciated it.
You costume is a stylistic expression of yourself, mix both your theme and your own intricacies to create a unique and fanciful look.
