| One of my wife's favorite costumes as a little girl | | | | following suggestions can be tailored for either girls |
| was a gypsy, or fortune teller. Not only did she | | | | or boys, and can be made easily once you've |
| dress up as a gypsy for Halloween, but just as | | | | gathered all the right parts. |
| dress up playtime too. She says that she liked this | | | | First outfit - Women/Girl's Fortune Teller/Gypsy |
| kind of costume because it was mysterious and a | | | | Costume |
| little 'bad'. Hmmm... maybe I should see if she's still | | | | What you'll need: |
| got that costume! I'll get my pirate costume out | | | | A Long tired skirt in a vibrant color - preferrably |
| too! | | | | one color, not a pattern. |
| From all outward appearances, a gypsy costume | | | | The Seinfeld "Pirate Shirt" if you remember that |
| looks like a lot of work to create. But it's really | | | | famous episode - puffy sleeves gathered at the |
| pretty easy. I'll outline a couple ways to easily put | | | | wrist |
| together this costume below. | | | | Bright front-laced vest |
| Back when we were kids, there just weren't a lot | | | | Black leotard stockings |
| of costumes that they sold at the stores. Our | | | | Black shoes - not dress shoes, comfortable shoes |
| parents had to make them, or we had to come | | | | Colored sash for the waist - bright solid color or |
| up with them ourselves. There's a big part of me | | | | pattern |
| that misses this - it makes kids become a little | | | | Matching bandana for hair |
| more creative, and the times I spent with my | | | | Large gold hoop earrings, colorful beaded |
| Mom putting together a goofy costume stick in | | | | necklaces and bangles for arms |
| my memory as pretty great times. So putting | | | | Second outfit - Women/Girl's Fortune Teller |
| together a gypsy costume should be a time that | | | | Gypsy Outfit |
| Mom spends with her daughtet. Even those really | | | | Long wide-flowing black skirt |
| busy families can find all the necessary parts to | | | | White shirt like above |
| put together a great gypsy costume. | | | | Black front-laced vest |
| So where do gypsy costumes and dress | | | | Black leotard stockings |
| originate? | | | | Black shoes |
| Gypsies came originally from the people who lived | | | | Bright apron or a shorter overskirt |
| in Romania. They were called Roma or Romani | | | | Black wig with long, ringlets or curls |
| and were comprised of nomadic tribes that | | | | Colored wide headband |
| wandered much of the European countries during | | | | Large gold hoop earrings, colorful beaded |
| the Middle Ages and often lived in caravans. | | | | necklaces and bangles for arms |
| Incredibly, there are still gypsies in the world | | | | Men or Boys Gypsy or Pirate Costume |
| today. | | | | Black or brown pants |
| Originally, gypsies dressed very differently than | | | | Black boots |
| the rest of the population. In the 1400's and | | | | White pirate shirt (remember the 70's? You |
| 1500's, women dressed in a robe gathered at the | | | | should have saved that shirt!) |
| neck. It was worn over a chemise gown. | | | | Long black or brown vest. Trim this with |
| Generally, the women also wore a long cloth that | | | | gold-colored braiding using the sewing machine of |
| fell down the back, then wrapped around the | | | | a hot-glue gun. |
| waist back up the front and tied at the shoulder. | | | | Colorful scarf to use as a sash at the waist. I like |
| They often also wore a turban on their head. | | | | red, but bright purple (royal color) or gold works |
| Later, as the culture experienced and intermixed | | | | well too. |
| with other cultures and other peoples, they began | | | | Colorful bandana |
| to dress differently. The gypsies began dressing | | | | One gold hoop earring. Unless you or your child |
| much like the peasants of the lands they traveled | | | | has a pierced ear, shoot for a clip-on here. |
| to. They began wearing laced vests and full | | | | Here's the important part here. Just let your |
| flounced skirts. These were the fashions that the | | | | imagination run wild. Mix and Match bright colors. |
| peasants wore during the Renaissance period. | | | | Dress in plain whites and blacks for the shirts, |
| Easy ways to make Gypsy costumes | | | | pants and occasionally the skirts. Remember that |
| So here is where it gets fun for Mom and | | | | gypsies were very poor and that bright fabrics |
| daughter. To put together a gypsy or fortune | | | | were very expensive - certainly not like today. So |
| teller costume you have to do a little bit of | | | | most of what they wore were plain splashed with |
| shopping around at the used clothing stores, and | | | | bright colors. Large bangles and earrings will fill out |
| you'll have to dust off that sewing machine. The | | | | the outfit. Again, use your imagination. |