my first costume design....a little help

[Biscuit_LOL]

hey all, I'm just getting into clowning and I have been trying to come up with a design for my costume. I am a costumer so I didn't think it would be that hard...but what I've come up with just seems to be lacking something. any thoughts on what could make it better? I plan on using a "Uncle Sam" type jacket pattern with the penguin tail type suit top (hope that makes sense) so I will have exaggerated long tails in the back that go much longer then the skirt. I plan on large tennis shoe type clown shoes. and my wig is a bright pink up do.....

but I still feel as though it's lacking....

the suit and skirt


wig (please excuse the bad sketch) it should be BRIGHT PINK like the vest but it didn't scan too well....




any thoughts on what would make it better? thanks for any help!~

~a new clown-Biscuit

[Pam-cakes]

I love your conept,very cool and original. What details are going on it and what kind of pockets will you use?

I am working on mine now and hope to finish sometime this month (slowest seamstress ever!)

great idea~
Pam-cakes

I just looked at it a second time...it reminds me of Amedaus!

[Fitzwilly]

It is a good beginning but you are right it look too... pedestrian, not clowny enough. It might be in part because all your fabrics are solids and I'm not seeing anything to break up the simpleness of the design. There are no extra pockets or apliques or big bows to pull in the trim and vest colors. Look at the way some of the best clown costumers add that little extra touch. Pricilla Mooseburger Originals , Costumes by Betty ~ Official Costumes by Betty Website and Online Catalog and Costumes by Barbie (can't remember the website right now.)

[Sir Toony Van Dukes]

I think adding some stars or balloons to the outfit would help make it a little more clowny. Maybe some striped socks or an oversized flower. If the yellow trim was a little thicker and the vest was made of a fun print, that might work also.

[Biscuit_LOL]

Originally Posted by Pam-cakes

I love your conept,very cool and original. What details are going on it and what kind of pockets will you use?

I am working on mine now and hope to finish sometime this month (slowest seamstress ever!)

great idea~
Pam-cakes

I just looked at it a second time...it reminds me of Amedaus!

oooo~ pockets! of course! I def. need those~! I'll have to add some to the front in a different fabric.
well I'll def. take that as a completment as Amedaus is one of my favorite movies!

Originally Posted by Fitzwilly

It is a good beginning but you are right it look too... pedestrian, not clowny enough. It might be in part because all your fabrics are solids and I'm not seeing anything to break up the simpleness of the design. There are no extra pockets or apliques or big bows to pull in the trim and vest colors. Look at the way some of the best clown costumers add that little extra touch. Pricilla Mooseburger Originals , Costumes by Betty ~ Official Costumes by Betty Website and Online Catalog and Costumes by Barbie (can't remember the website right now.)

I'll have to add some big pockets to the front of the skirt, maybe in a different patterned fabric. I found some striped pink fabric online that I think would be good for the vest, that would also be good for pockets. My sister suggested putting some big flowers on the outfit as well, I'll have to add that into the design. as well as some big bows. thanks for the suggestions!

Originally Posted by Sir Toony Van Dukes

I think adding some stars or balloons to the outfit would help make it a little more clowny. Maybe some striped socks or an oversized flower. If the yellow trim was a little thicker and the vest was made of a fun print, that might work also.

ooo~ stars and balloons! great idea! I like that. thanks fopr the suggestions! I found a nice striped puink fabric on ebay that I think I might get for tyhe vest and some pockets.

[Fifi D. Clown]

I really like that design. Maybe put some polka dot or striped pockets in the vest for contrast and maybe a couple hidden pockets in the skirt for extra storage. Add some striped socks like Sir Toony suggested (maybe in bright pink and white) and I'd buy it!
If you plan on clowning during the summer use lightweight materials.

[Biscuit_LOL]

Originally Posted by Fifi D. Clown

I really like that design. Maybe put some polka dot or striped pockets in the vest for contrast and maybe a couple hidden pockets in the skirt for extra storage. Add some striped socks like Sir Toony suggested (maybe in bright pink and white) and I'd buy it!
If you plan on clowning during the summer use lightweight materials.

thanks! Yeah I think I'll put some striped pockets on. I found some really cute striped pink fabric on ebay that I'm going to get for the vest and pockets to break up the design. hidden pockets are a great idea! thanks!

[Biscuit_LOL]

I added some pockets, and made the vest striped, and made the yellow trim a bit thicker....looks little better now. I tried adding stars and balloons etc. but it didn't quite go. I'll have to try flowers. Maybe It will be easier when I actually make the costume
so here it is~! I'll have to keep working on it. but for a first try I guess it isn't too bad. I've got a couple other ideas for trims etc, but it's too hard to draw.... thanks for the advice guys!

[Mr. Dazzle]

Some Bright pink pokadotted or striped bloomers would be nice too... It would be a nice balance to the pink vest. Maybe some pockets on the outside and inside of the jacket aswell... You will want plenty of pocket space... For balloons, juggling balls, gags, buisness cards, candy, whatever... Mine doesn't have enough right now... My pants are green "Old Man Pants" (I really don't know what else to call them... I've never seen anything like them anywhere else... they are just a light weight linen pant) but they have normal sized pockets... and I have one pocket on the inside of my rainbow vest.. but the vest is fitted so it is hard to access... I've been meaning to try and add some large oversized pockets to my rather plain solid green pants.

[Biscuit_LOL]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dazzle

Some Bright pink pokadotted or striped bloomers would be nice too... It would be a nice balance to the pink vest. Maybe some pockets on the outside and inside of the jacket aswell... You will want plenty of pocket space... For balloons, juggling balls, gags, buisness cards, candy, whatever... Mine doesn't have enough right now... My pants are green "Old Man Pants" (I really don't know what else to call them... I've never seen anything like them anywhere else... they are just a light weight linen pant) but they have normal sized pockets... and I have one pocket on the inside of my rainbow vest.. but the vest is fitted so it is hard to access... I've been meaning to try and add some large oversized pockets to my rather plain solid green pants.

pockets pockets pockets. got it ^_^