Authenticity and the Cliques of History

Today, my sister and I attended what was purported to be a Reenactment of The Battle of Dominguez Hills and a celebratory fandango held at Dominguez Adobe Museum, Rancho Dominguez, CA. Sadly, the turnout was rather slim to say the least and -- for someone steeped in the local history -- very disappointing.

For one thing, the other reenactors seem to have taken their "historical garb" ideas from the "Romance of Old California" mode popular in the 1920s with certain nods to the gypsy vamps and Rudolph Valentino films of the time. Needless to say, the historical accuracy is entirely lacking. Another problem was that the "troops" making up the reenactment armies were far too few in number and the Mexicans -- the battle was fought in 1847 -- were dressed much as the village peons in The Magnificent Seven. Historically, the actual Mexican soldiers were lancers and I suspect would not have been caught dead in the peon garb of baggy white pants and shirts with straw hats. Finally, the "fandango" featured a single elderly couple performing a very slow foxtrot, apprently unaware that a fandango is and was a dance very similar to a flamenco and that the dancers' bodies did not touch, let alone dip and sway in a embracing clinch. We noted as well as none of the some dozen other reenactors could even properly pronounce any words in Spanish. All in all, it was a very disappointing affair.

Conversion - The Ranchero Jacket

Versatility and "the conversion factor" are helpful to the reenactor, particularly one on a budget. The short "formal" jacket is a great base on which to build a variety of presentations. With the addition of buttons, lace, trim, and other accompaniments the short jacket can be adapted to fit whichever "persona" is needed. In this case, the persona was a California ranchero from the period approximately 1830s-1850s. As you can see by the photograph, the basic jacket has been accessorized with silver buttons at the cuffs and down the front. Additionally, metallic lace trim has been sewn at the cuffs. The original large buttonholes (two) at the front of the jacket (designed to be used with large shank buttons connected by a short chain) were sewn closed to be less obtrusive.

Check out local thrift shops, garage and rummage sales and with luck you can find a short jacket like this inexpensively. Other suggestions for adaptions include (but are not limited to) stitching on contrasting fabric lapels, different button arrangements, epaulets, fabric, lace or other trimmings to represent various presentations for historical personas.

Detached Collars and Studs

In time period reenacting or "dress up" -- authentic details mark the distinctions between the "Halloween costume people" and the committed re-creator. After 1827, the detached collar made its appearance, partly to deal with that ever-present "dirty collar" problem. Detached collars were easier to launder and re-starch. Actually people had known about this since the Tudor/Elizabethan days of the "ruff" and later other styles of "collar" like those worn by the cavaliers. These detachables developed co-jointly with "neckties" like the jabot and detached ruffles, the military stock and so forth.

The difference in 1827 was that the detached collars became a full industry on their own. At first they were made of linen, and later cotton, finally becoming the more familiar highly-starched high collars of the Edwardian period and the early 1900s. For the re-enactor a detached collar is one of those details that make the difference between authenticity and farbishness. Collars are fairly easily made at home or can be purchased from specialized sutlers or providers. Find your particular era's or style's collar or make it yourself, then get a set of shirt studs for improved and correct presentations.

Collar studs attach the collar at front and back to the shirt's collar band. In addition, the cuffs (either detached or sewn to the sleeve) may require cufflinks or studs. In formal attire, shirt studs also take the place of sewn-on buttons down the top front of the shirt. Studs can be plain or quite ornate, even jeweled and make a special fashion statement.

The photograph shows a recently purchased wing-tip style collar, popular from the late 1820s onward. You can also see the black collar studs at the center back and center front of the collar.