Saloon Lady and Undertaker

It was this time of year again and despite having moved 500 miles away from where my partner is stationed, I had promised to take part in the Regimental Summer Ball. Woe was me, because the ball was to be a costumed one and of all themes to choose it was a Western theme. Not too much that can be done with that one, so I decided on a black clad Saloon Lady (quelle surprise) and my partner went in a tail coat and top hat as an undertaker. The quick costumes were quite a success.

I made the front drape (mounted on an old short black skirt) with the Laughing Moon pattern for the fun Saloon Girl . If I had had more time and inclination I would have made the bustle drape as well, but as it was, I used a 1980s black polyester ball gown skirt that I had flying around and simply used the netting and pleated the remaining fabric towards the back of the skirt and front drape. The top was from eBay and nicely cheap. Add my own Victorian style ankle boots, a pair of fishnets, feather boa from trusty old Ann Summers, jewellery (the lace mittens hadn't arrived in time) and a garter, and voila!