Comments on: More the choleric type

By: Bridget

Bridget — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:35:26 +0000

Just in general, I think Beth’s got the right idea, if anyone was wondering about Tess’s dress code. Dovecote Crest is pretty casual, and Tess, not being particularly fanatical about history, isn’t taking pains to be super-accurate. Not to mention the fact that I usually just sort of ignore corset-type details in favor of just getting a page to work, lazy as I am ;)

By: Yochva

Yochva — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:32:56 +0000

And ALSO, as one who has worn a corset a time or two, it is impossible to slouch. It looks to me like Tess is slouching slightly in at least one panel, bent over the desk somewhat. If she was in a corset, she would not have been able to do that. Her back is too round.

If this was real life, that is. I’ve noticed that the art here tends to be a bit curvy, so that may be style dictating the curve in her spine.

By: Yochva

Yochva — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:30:27 +0000

I second that motion, Panel Two is Win. From the tips of her hair to the tips of her toes, Charlie is spot on and perfect!

By: leficia

leficia — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:36:46 +0000

i know *I* hope that!

(if not, though, i want to see more of Justin.)

By: Beth

Beth — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:23:56 +0000

I second. For what it’s worth, when I did some work in historical interpretation, we weren’t required to wear corsets, and any sort of bun-ish thing was OK for those with long hair (the general requirement was for a natural look– no excessive makeup, funky hair colors or excessively funky styles, etc, easy to follow). We tended toward whatever hair style we could manage with our own hair length (or with some help, if we could find matching hair pieces) and looked reasonably flattering. I would imagine that it depends on the site. My assumption has always been that Dovecote Crest is a small museum in a warm part of the country, and if Tess really is the only woman dressed as a woman, I doubt anyone would make her wear a corset if she didn’t want to of her own accord. They’re not necessarily uncomfortable, I don’t think, but they can get rather warm rather quickly in summer heat! :o)

By: marjpants13

marjpants13 — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:32:11 +0000

Love the facial expressions on this page!

By: Georgia

Georgia — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:02:32 +0000

I think that we can all agree that Tess’ dress is gorgeous (and we all want one) but I also wanted to say that, oh my god, I love panels 4, 5, & 7.
Mostly the facial expressions, which you totally own.

By: wynne

wynne — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:47:13 +0000

This comic is excellent reading when preparing for the SAT, what with “sanguine” and “choleric” and all that.

By: Chandra

Chandra — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:54:21 +0000

@Kelly Anne- As a historical interpreter myself, I will speak on Tess’s clothing. One thing I’ve noticed, is her hair. It’s not exactly period appropriate for the 1860′s. The bun is placed much too high on her head for that era, it would have been worn at the nape of her neck. I’d have to go back and find another strip that shows her standing, but I do believe her waistline also sits too low for the 60′s. Most waistlines then would hit around 1 inch above the natural waistline. Just from the way it’s drawn, I do not get the impression she is wearing a corset. Yes, she has hoops on, which actually wouldn’t be too bad. She might be wearing one or two petticoats underneath the cage itself for modestly in case the hoops moved the wrong way and flashed everyone, and then one over the hoops to help hide the boning lines. This would be much easier for her to move around as opposed to wearning no cage crinoline, as in order to achieve fullness in her skirt she would need to be wearing several petticoats. I have worn up to 8 at a time, couldn’t achieve 1/2 the skirt fullness she has with the cage on, and my back was killing me from carrying around all that weight.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:43:54 +0000

Bechdel test…..failed!