For Evangelicals in the late 80’s and early 90’s, Halloween was a holiday of the Devil. After a few Halloweens when I was really small, we didn’t celebrate it in my family growing up.

Over time, we developed a tradition of getting together at the home of family friends out in the country where people didn’t bother to trick or treat. We watched old musicals while stuffing our faces with candy. We watched Fiddler on the Roof, and The Music Man. I can still sing many of the songs. (“There’s troublllleee! Trouble! Right here in River City!”)

It took a long time to out grow that idea, that Halloween wasn’t for Christians. And in the meantime, I lost many opportunities to dress up.

Of course, I did dress up in other ways. My mom made her girls clothes throughout my early childhood, and being a product of their time, they were Little House on the Prairie calico numbers that were perfect for twirling. (Later, my dad made me shorts and altered my dress for senior prom. I come from a family of sewists.)

As a parent, for many years I imposed the same We Don’t Celebrate Halloween, It’s a Dark Holiday attitude on my own children. For many years, we had takeout pizza by candlelight, our exterior lights off and our blinds closed.

We found a local church with a gathering the night of Halloween, a sort of harvest party, with candy and games, and we participated. Then last year, we sort of weren’t invited to the church’s party and tried something different.

I’m not sure what we’ll do this year. The big girls are already asking to go trick-or-treating with friends. We’ll probably take the Littles on a quick trip around the neighborhood, then hunker down at our house to hand out candy. What better way to show love to the community than participate in one of the few yearly holiday traditions that fosters making connections with our neighbors?

As I’m starting to think about costumes for the kids, for only the second year ever, and as I’ve been sewing my own clothes, I’ve been thinking more about how I want to dress.

As my confidence and skill has grown, my perceived limitations no longer seem that daunting. I’ve always had a curiosity about period clothing; now I have the knowledge (and the balls!) to do something about it.

I don’t even know for sure if there are events in my area where you can go in historical costume, although I’ve already found one possible event and I’m sure once I figure out which key words to use, I’ll find others. (Online, I’ve found evidence of the existence of Jane Austen picnics, battle reenactments, and other fantastic gatherings in other cities).

My idea for now is to choose some time periods I have a specific interest in. Right now, this is looking like womens’ 1740’s-1790’s fashion, Medieval garb, historical menswear like jackets and vests (especially Dutch Colonial and Regency era, although the ladies’ clothes from that the Regency Period are meh for me – think Jane Austen fashion), and possibly some vintage looks from the 1900’s. Then, I want to make or buy a few items from those periods and find ways to incorporate them into outfits with the clothes I already have. I’ve already started a Pinterest board with some ideas.

As I’ve gone deeper down the internet rabbit hole, I discovered other people are already doing this. It’s called #historybounding. Just like the clever folks who already named this phenomenon, I want to dress up, but I don’t want to wait for a special occasion.

There are many, many flavors of this interest. Some people hand sew every historical piece just as they would have been made at the time when they were worn, using only colors and fabrics that were available to people of the past. Some choose costumes made of all kinds of nonsense that are interesting, daring, and fantastic. There are people who costume from thrifted items, those who buy, and those who machine sew, and people who do a combination of all the above.

I see myself doing a little bit of different things and seeing what works. I don’t  want to be limited to period-appropriate fabrics. I like the idea of throwing some of my favorite fabrics – shot cotton, India block print and khadi cotton, batik, and tie dye fabrics – into historical patterns, although as I’m just starting I may be cautious so that I’ll actually wear the things I make. One blogger I discovered made a moderate path into this interest buying many of her supplies at Walmart, but still creating amazing, historically accurate pieces.

I hope to make a chemise, a fitted bodice, and perhaps a jacket. I’m buying an English bodice, and I’m planning to make stays, since I’ve learned the proper undergarments are essential for getting the outer look right.

I ordered a few books and patterns, and requested some books from the library.  I found some Colonial Era reproduction shoes in my size in a hideous color on clearance, that I’m planning to dye to a more …. wearable shade. Hopefully they fit and are comfortable enough to wear out!

I might need four thousand petticoats to make the outfits look right as well. Plus, headwear that disguises the fact that I have almost no hair (Here’s a costumer with short hair who has come up with all kinds of creative solutions for head coverings). Also, historically appropriate glasses.

I’m looking to find or create items that match my existing closet’s color scheme. I don’t want doing everything Just Right to become a source of stress, or to prevent me from getting started. (Yet I’m thinking about period-appropriate spectacles).

Since school started, I’ve had almost no time at all for productive pursuits – all I’m good for once I’m finished doing school with the kids is lying on my bed or sitting outside in a lawn chair with my laptop or a book. I’m hesitant to commit to anything, afraid to get too caught up in an interest I have neither the time or space for right now.

But there is a place for exploring our interests, isn’t there? Even if we are grown ups and parents, meeting some expectations and deciding to toss off others.

If I want to dress like a medieval servant girl some day because that’s kind of what life feels like sometimes, why shouldn’t I? And if I decide to wear a steampunkish outfit to a concert (any concert), why not?

I’ve done a whole lot of reading on the internet, but I haven’t actually made anything yet. I still have some “normal” patterns waiting for attention. My ultimate bucket-listed goal would be to attend one of the amazing reenactment weekends or a period dress ball that happen at historic sites each spring and summer around the world. Even better, with the Chaplain at my side.

My short term goal is to expand my wardrobe and incorporate some historical pieces, and maybe even find a local event to wear them to.

I’ll let you know what happens.

Hey, friends, does this sound like fun? If you would like to join me in this venture, make a historical outfit and go do something in it (Tea? A Museum visit? A walk in the park? Grocery shopping? We could totally wear sunglasses if you didn’t want to be recognized)? Let me know. I am down. They say the first thing you have to do is Find Your People.