Corset Pains

I don't think I've ever really been excited about clothes aside from scoring them cheaply, like finding the shirt I'm wearing for under a dollar at Target or getting 75% off shoes at DSW. But today was one of the most exciting days I've ever had, largely due to the coolness of the clothing I got to wear. (and the niceness of all the people I met and the gorgeousness of the weather)

I get to dress in Victorian garb for an upcoming film, and I wondered why my fitting in Surrey yesterday was scheduled for four hours. It soon became clear though; it wasn't like getting fitted for a bridesmaid's dress at all.

First, I was escorted to the back where hundreds of period dresses and accoutrements hung in a array of muted colors and where two nice ladies squeezed me into a corset. It was a lot like lacing up hockey skates, so tight I thought they were kidding. I couldn't have eaten or bent over or anything fancy, but I found I could breathe lightly.

I realize this may become a bit tedious in detail should you have no interest in Victorian fashion. I would be in the same boat had I not recently had large butt pads applied to make my dress floof out in back like the lady on the far right side of the painting.

Next, I got outfitted with fun Mary Poppins shoes and a great big black fluffy skirt. The skirt was so stunning, I thought it was my outfit, but it was just the petticoat. Then butt pads went over this, then they topped this with a great checked blue and black skirt and jacket set that they admitted were a tight squeeze. No more Cadbury eggs then.

I thought this couldn't be any cooler, but then they added a stunning gold shirt with a sweet bow under the jacket and an unbelievable velvet coat that I hoped would fit when I saw it. And when the seamstress and I tugged and pushed my waist in, it totally did. I love that black velvet coat. It makes me think of Coming to America: "That's beautiful! What is it? Velvet?"

But the best part by far was the fun accessory table where I was the happy recipient of one black lacy hat with feathers and a bow around my chin. And have I mentioned that the shooting next week will all be in the rain? That is going to be one useful feather lace hat. And I get gloves! And finally, and most excitingly, a beautiful fur muff. I giggled a little too when they said it.

There's more. Once my duds were complete, they sent me to hair and makeup, where my hair was smooshed to the front in four gigantic curls and they took lots of pictures to duplicate it for each day of filming.

I got more pictures taken then got to return my clothes to wardrobe. Corset removal felt unbelievable. Like when you take off your ski boots. Like I had forgotten what it was like to have a full range of motion in my torso. And truly, hours later, I've still got some lingering belly pain where my stomach seems kind of angry I squished it so tight for so long.