Joined: May 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 1,993 Location: Michigan
Re: Sherlock Holmes Costume Project « Result #1 on Oct 25, 2009, 4:55pm »
Accessories Make The Detective
I know of few characters who are more recognized by their accessories than Sherlock Holmes. Who doesn't think of a deerstalker cap, Iverness cape, Calabash pipe and magnifying glass when they hear the name? However most of these items never appear in the stories. They don't appear in director Guy Ritchie's re-imagining either. Fortunately Victorian era antiques is a large market where you can find a surplus of quality pieces. Thus I delved into the realms of Ebay with a shopping list of essentials.
First up were the glasses. During the Victorian era, eyeglasses with tinted lenses were utilized by those with a medical condition effecting the eyes. Why the costume department put Holmes in this style, your guess is as good as mine (I'm going with the character's bohemian nature). They're not impossible to find, but being more rare it took some considerable effort hunting them down. My persistence paid off handsomely though with this pair listed as a set for a mere $28. They are in great condition for their age and former use as noted by the scratches on the lens.
Next I picked up an inexpensive pair of oxford shoes. Nothing really spectacular about them, nor are they costume accurate (Mister Downey wears boots). However personal preference won out this time. They're more comfortable, look more stylish and the heel keeps my long pants from dragging while adding a little height.
Another area where I took liberties was the magnifying glass and calling card case. So far there has been no footage of Holmes utilizing either. Yet nothing indicates the character's detective status more than a magnifying glass. Similarly calling cards were a Victorian era custom than received mention in several of the stories. Conventional style magnifiers seemed too big and most antique pieces too feminine. Again persistence and patience was key as I found a small, simple glass from 1912 Birmingham England. Later my coworkers, Jeff Long and Alan Robinson, made a wonderful carrying case for it that mimics Holmes' belt-bound one containing his tools of the trade. The calling card case is an inexpensive replica as authentic antique pieces were too rich for my pocketbook.
Finally came the pipe. Holmes keeps this trademark instrument in the new film, although it is a much more commonplace version. There is a singular glimpse of it in the trailer which didn't give me much reference to go by. Hence I did my best and chose a modern "lady's pipe" so called for its slender, curving design.
![[Home]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/home.gif)
![[Help]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/help.gif)
![[Search]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/search.gif)
![[Login]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/login.gif)
![[Register]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/register.gif)
![[Search This Thread]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/search2.gif)
![[Send Topic To Friend]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/sendtopic.gif)
![[Print]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/print.gif)
Author
![[avatar]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/613126981_YeAp3-O.jpg)
![[homepage]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/www_sm.gif)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/558705793_KsrXH-L.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/558705823_ivssX-L.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/565350265_mohvo-L.jpg)
Logged![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/695792238_NFD8W-O.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/615156082_DJNcj-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/615156140_bExDY-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/142486289_iMZyg-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/142486298_6chJf-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/142475222_Lq32r-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/101816479_j7r2n-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/142486241_KSXu3-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/142486257_mpWeF-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/142486280_sTYXQ-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/615159152_57KYk-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/125824239_snJqZ-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/125828460_frHLA-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/125824243_2SLFz-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/125828457_ZKcS8-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/142491961_3w9hy-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/615137251_6euKG-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/615137267_LHh6m-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/125844742_Rax92-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/125844744_JR2EP-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/125844737_3pnk3-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/135460058_jxGqV-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/135544829_Gq7pG-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/135544835_4MXvV-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/142477323_a2c6N-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/142477350_BNTJy-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/125836980_MKApD-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/116814949_5QXyR-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/142487480_rFVvd-M.jpg)
![[image]](http://deviant-anomaly.smugmug.com/photos/142476932_Q6prj-M.jpg)