Rockin' Romeo & Juliet Costume Samples
Verona is a fantasy world, a cross between Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England and Japanese Kabuki theatre influences. Costumes for "Rockin' Romeo & Juliet" borrow from these periods, as well as mixing in a melange of Rock 'n' Roll, bikers, ballet and more. Avoid contemporary styles, and make it interesting! Scroll to the bottom of the page for RESOURCES.
Please avoid white clothing, and limit black to a minimum.
Bold, bright colors are best. Characters who are Capulets wear RED (as well as maroon, orange, pink, violet, etc.), and Montagues wear BLUE (and green, turquoise, teal, etc.) Try not to mix between reds and blues in the same costume.
Examples of pseudo-Renaissance costumes:
Tights for men are preferred, or simple black pants (no blue jeans!) Even better if you can incorporate a CODPIECE.
Samples of KABUKI costumes:
And samples of other styles:
Rockers, ballerinas, belly dancers - make it interesting!
OK,
this guy's a bit too outlandish, but the tights and codpiece effect works well...
Good places to get the gear:
CHEAP: Studio Wardrobe Department - 1357 N Highland Ave (between Sunset
and Santa Monica) (323) 467-9455
REALLY CHEAP: Danny's Dance Warehouse 9443B Venice Blvd. at Cardiff (310) 837-7511 - tights, shoes, dancewear - be prepared to dig!
Good TIGHTS and CODPIECES at www.renaissancedancewear.com and links to other excellent costume resources!
Check out www.renstore.com - Loads of great Renaissance-style gear, for men and women - shirts, tights, doublets, cloaks, skirts, bodices, hats, etc.
Hollywood Toy and Costume - 6600 Hollywood Blvd. (corner of Whitley) (323) 464-4444 has all kinds of crazy stuff, and a website too www.HollywoodToys.com
Thrift Shops - three excellent Out of the Closet stores - 6255 W. Sunset (at the corner of El Centro, by Gower) (323) 860-5200; 360 N. Fairfax at Oakwood (323) 934-1956; and 1608 Sawtelle (north of Santa Monica Blvd.) (310) 479-7787.
Western Costume - 11041 Vanowen Street, North Hollywood (818) 760-0900.
Shelly's Dance Wear - 2089 Westwood Blvd (north of Olympic) -- (310) 745-1400 Excellent selection of dancewear, including men's tights in many colors and sizes.
Karabel Dancewear - 916 W. Burbank Blvd., #K, Burbank (818) 955-8480 features tights and other dancewear.
Many shops on Hollywood Boulevard feature biker gear - leather, gloves, spikes, etc. Ideal for ROADIES.
Iguana Vintage Clothing - 6320 Hollywood Blvd., west of Vine Street - (323) 462-1010
Playmates and Foreplay (both on Hollywood Blvd. at the corner of Wilcox) feature women's bustiers and corsets which can be adapted - also vampires, rockers, etc.
An excellent resource is a book called "Shopping LA" which you can reserve from the LA Public Library www.lapl.org. It features stores all around Los Angeles where you can buy everything from custom made armor to ??? anything your heart desires...
Also, if you go to www.ebay.com, just type in "renaissance" and you'll come up with load of very interesting (and often inexpensive) stuff.
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