Sports Costume For Helena example essay topic

The first costume that I chose for Helena will be a costume from Ancient Greece. I'm choosing to put her in a Doric woolen chiton. A chiton is a common garment worn by both the women and the men of Ancient Greece. The chiton had two styles: one for women and one for men. The difference between the masculine and the feminine chiton was that the ladies chiton reached to the ankles and the men's' chiton reached only to the knees. A rectangular piece of cloth was sewn part way up the shoulders and attached on the shoulders by fibulae.

Fibulae would usually be purple, red, blue or saffron. Full length chitons were also worn by Roman and Athenian women and were worn for sport or for just wearing around the house. (Wilcox, 256). I chose the Ancient Greek time period because I think the clothes are nice and because I find the Ancient Greek time period to be very interesting. The reason I chose this item for Helena is because I think it suits her well.

I think that the chiton is a good piece of clothing for just wearing everyday. A chiton best suits her for when she is chasing Demetrius through the forest because she is running and the chiton used to be worn for sport. Helena- "O, I am out of breath in this fond chase! The more my prayer, the lesser is my grace". (II, ii, 88-89) The second costume that I chose for Helena is a Japanese kimono.

The kimono is a T-shaped wide sleeved silk garment that is tied with a sash. This sash is called an obi. Japanese women have been wearing the kimono for centuries. The kimono itself hasn't changed over time but colors and patterns have changed over time according to the current fashion.

The way of wearing kimonos also changed over time. (Steele, sec. C) The kimono was the basic garment for Japanese women from the 7th century but is now usually just worn on special occasions. It's no longer worn everyday because it is not practical for everyday activities.

("History: Edo... ". ). The time period I chose is the Edo Period which lasted from 1601-1867.

I chose the second costume to be a kimono for Helena because I like the way the kimono's look. I find them to look elegant and I also chose the kimono because I wanted to add something international. I chose this time period because this is the time period when the way kimonos were worn changed. The obi was tied at the back instead of being tied at the front like it was in all other previous centuries.

The best part of the play for Helena to wear a kimono would be when she isn't physically active and when she is talking to someone. A kimono was an everyday type of clothing so I think that Helena should wear it on a normal day when she is talking. Helena- "How happy some o'er other some can be! Through Athens I am thought as fair as she. But what of that?

Demetrius thinks not so; He will not know what all but he do know:" (I, i, 226-229) The next costume I chose for Helena is a garment from the 1920's. I'm choosing a "sports costume" for Helena. This sports costume was just casual clothing meant for sports such as boating or croquet. ("Sheiks and She bas... ".

) The dress Helena is going to wear is a dress that shows the knees. I'm choosing this era because things are different in this era then they were before. The 1920's was the first time in centuries where women were showing their knees. This time period women also emphasized their shoulders by using shoulder pads. Fashion became less formal in this era because people felt free-spirited and wanted to have fun. The First World War had just ended and the 1920's marked the first youth revolution.

Youth was being worshiped in the 1920's. Older women would wear the same clothes the younger women would wear. Women would try to look younger in the 1920's unlike in previous era's women would try to make themselves look older. ("1920's") The shoes women would wear in this time period would be black high heels. I chose this era because this is the era where clothing and the attitudes of people changed. I like this era because it was the first youth revolution and I think that the history behind the clothing is interesting.

I chose a "sports costume" for Helena because I think it is appropriate for her. Especially in the part where she has a fight with Her mia because she is very angry and she is probably moving around a lot. I think that this costume will be comfortable to wear for a long day. Helena- "O weary night, O long and tedious night, Abate thy hours! Shine comforts from the east, That I may back to Athens by daylight, From these that my poor company detest: And sleep, that sometimes shuts up sorrow's eye, Steal me awhile from my own company". ( , ii, 430-436) The last costume I chose for Helena is of the present era: the 21st century.

The specific outfit I chose is from Ralph Lauren's spring 2003 collection. The outfit is "a weathered, floor-sweeping denim ball skirt with a beaded 19th century bodice". (Horn). Ralph Lauren wasn't the only designer using 19th century silhouettes. Ralph Lauren used only two themes for his 2003 spring collection: sex and modern romance. His collection consisted of warm beige and creme colors.

I chose this era because I wanted to have something from now. Not just from previous eras. I wanted something modern and up to date. I chose this outfit for Helena because I think it's really nice. I think that the skirt is very nice and that the weathered effect makes it look good.

The shirt gives the outfit a more vintage look. I think that light brown leather heels would look good with this outfit. I think that Helena should wear this outfit in the part when she is watching Bottom's play after her wedding. She " ll change out of her wedding dress to be more comfortable when she is watching the play and she will still look very nice. Theseus- " I will hear that play; For never anything can be amiss, When simpleness and duty tender it. Go, bring them in: and take your places, ladies".

(V, i, 81-84).