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The Napoleon Project

Oct 2, 2009

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    1. So recently I've become quite a little history nerd. I love all kinds of history, but one area I've always liked is the Napoleonic area. Since it's October, and Halloween is approaching, I thought now would be an ideal time to start a project I've been wanting to do for sometime.

      My goal is to pretty much make a Napoleon cosplay for my MNF. He usually wears very casual clothes, and I wanted to have something different for him to wear. However, I'm not sure what picture of Napoleon I want to base my outfit off of.

      Here are the three I am considering:

      #1: Napoleon at the Bridge of Arcole:
      [​IMG]

      What I like: It's dark, it's dashing, it has gloves!! :D I adore the detail on this picture and the overall feel of it, and I think this is definitely a realistic option.

      What I don't like: It has gloves, and my MNF has obviously small fingers. Gloves may not be possible at all, though I do want to try. :( The other problem with this outfit is I can't see ALL of it. For the feet and rest of the pants I could just guess, or take artistic liberaties, but I would really like this to be as accurate as possible.

      #2: Napoleon Crossing the Alps:
      [​IMG]

      What I like: Ah, so much power in this picture!! The outfit is nice, and he's not wearing white leggings/pants! He also has the hat that many people associate with Napoleon. This is my favorite when it comes to the looks of Napoleon too, I think he looks handsome in this one.

      What I don't like: You can't really see all of the outfit, because of that huge red cape thing. The front especially. Also this picture has been viewed in so many lights that the true color of it is hard to interpret unless I went right up to it. Sometimes the cape is red, other times it's orange!! *_*

      #3: Napoleon in his Study:
      [​IMG]

      What I like: This is the picture that shows all of the outfit. It also seems the simplest in terms of construction, which on a small MSD scale might be a good thing.

      What I don't like: The pants. They are very high as was the style back then, and although my doll doesn't have the tummy Napoleon had in this picture, I'm concerned they will look just plain awkward. Especially in the crotch area, because I would probably have to pad it a little to cover hard resin bits. I'm also just not a fan of the white leggings/pants combination.

      So what should I do? Which do you all think would be the best choice?
       
      #1 sophiesoliday, Oct 2, 2009
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    2. Honestly, after viewing each image and which one I like. I adore the last. BUT because you are are doing a MNF I would suggest the first, since you can use your mind on what you want. I find the dark colors very dramatic and decent.
       
      #2 Isamu, Oct 2, 2009
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    3. I love the Bridge of Arcole! (I'm also just a plain huge fan of Mr Bonaparte, but that's a different story" .
      Personlly I would still go with it, the glove would be a challenge but it's such a dashing outfit! If your concerned about accuracy you could always refer to other images for the shoes and possiply the shape of the pants.
      I really love the color of that outfit and I think it would be the strongest of the three.

      Good Luck and I hope you share pictures if you end up making it! It'd love to see it (any of the three really!)
       
      #3 Liamous, Oct 2, 2009
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    4. Take the coat and sashes and belt from picture number one, which you can see, and the trousers, at least their cut, and boots from picture number two, which you can see, but change the color, if you'd like. The trousers are Very Likely to be the same, and the sash, which you can see under his elbow where he's being all dramatic is still the same.

      Good luck! I'd love to see pictures. :)

      Ann in CT
       
      #4 Ann in CT, Oct 2, 2009
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    5. Isamu: I also like the dark colors :) I guess artistic liberties wouldn't be too bad if it looks as good as it does in the picture!

      Liamous: Good to see another fan!! That is true though, if I look into it further I may find a similar uniform, or even accounts of what he was wearing or something. :) I will of course be posting pictures as I work!!

      Maybe it one works out, I'll try another! :lol:

      Ann in CT: Yes, whichever I decide on, I will be looking at other clothes of the time and similar pictures in order to make the outfit. Thank you!
       
      #5 sophiesoliday, Oct 2, 2009
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    6. My vote is also the first. The thing with accuracy to paintings is that you're trying to be true to someone else's artistic liberties. So have fun making your own and to be more time period accurate, look up Mr. Bonaparte's contemporaries in art and historical fashion.
       
      #6 Adarhysenthe, Oct 2, 2009
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    7. I second that motion. Artists were charged with glamourizing their subjects and to that end they add, subtract, and exaggerate. (I've always wondered about the paunch in the 3rd painting. I would so not have been pleased with that one if 'twere me. ^_^)

      I would study the historical examples and then choose something that makes me happy, adding on the bells and whistles suggested in the paintings.
       
      #7 Meldandy, Oct 2, 2009
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    8. Adarhysenthe: That is true, I doubt in the first two the artist was there at all XD They at least were closer to that time period than I am though, so they at least give me a base to go off of!

      Meldandy: LOL I wouldn't be too pleased either!! I will definitely be looking further into the fashion, then making it look fancy! :)
       
      #8 sophiesoliday, Oct 3, 2009
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    9. Have you seen a tv mini series with Christian Clavier, "Napoleon" ? There were very nice outfits. After seeing these series I started thinking of making a Napoleon costume for my boy, too :)
       
      #9 shelley, Oct 3, 2009
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    10. I was half-hoping it would be Napoleon Dynamite. LOL.

      I like the clothes in #1
       
      #10 PinkPoodle, Oct 3, 2009
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    11. hmmm, I like the first two the most. Although, the second and third are most recognizable Napoleon poses and clothing, so if you would like the costume to be a bit more unique and a bit more challenging (gloves) for yourself, then I'd say go with either first or second.

      As for my other opinions, I definitely love the hat (were you thinking of making it as well?) I think it is one of those things that just mean 'Napoleon' lol But I love the suit in the first photo. You can do a research on Regency men's clothing and get lots of examples that would be acurate representation for the pants/shoes and the overall clothing.

      Not sure if you already know of these but here are couple of links:
      http://www.janeausten.co.uk/magazine/page.ihtml?pid=591&step=4
      http://www.jastown.com/

      Hope this helps, and good luck. I hope you will post your costume once it is completed :)
       
      #11 sephydoll, Oct 4, 2009
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    12. shelley: No, I haven't, but thank you for telling me about it! I'll definitely look it up :)

      PinkPoodle: Haha, it would be much easier to make a Vote for Pedro shirt XD

      sephydoll: Thank you for the links, I checked them out and bookmarked them! I would love to do the hat too, I may give it a go after I finish the outfit.

      So far Napoleon at the bridge is winning! I think I'll be going with that outfit :)
       
      #12 sophiesoliday, Oct 5, 2009
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    13. Honestly? I'd combine what you like about all of them into your "ideal Napoleon" outfit. :) If he had all of those wardrobe pieces (or, at the very least, if history has painted him into them) then who's to say he didn't mix and match?

      Personally, I'd start with the coat in the top image because you can see the most of it, and finish the pants the way the second image has them, with boots to match. You could add in the cape and hat from the second image, and maybe substitute the belt from the first with the sash from the second.
       
      #13 muse, Oct 5, 2009
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