Making Bard's Coat

Manveruon · Post by **Manveruon** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 4:44 am

Hi everyone!

I have decided for a variety of reasons to start working on a Bard the Bowman costume, based on what photos are out there of Luke Evans in the upcoming Hobbit film. On some levels I actually kind of hate the look of this costume, but on a lot of other levels it's really growing on me. Plus, I totally have the look to pull it off, and he's always been one of my favorite characters from the books. And then there's the whole archer thing, so really it's kind of a no-brainer for me.

Anyway, another reason I decided to start on this costume is because it's honestly relatively simple, as far as the outfits from the PJ movies are concerned. I know pretty much exactly how I will make 90% of the costume, and what I will make it out of, with the exception of one important piece: his coat. In the movie he wears a long shearling sheepskin coat, with a split in the back, and wide lapels/collar. The thing is, the coat itself would be easy enough to make - I could even theoretically alter an existing women's sheepskin coat to suit my purposes, provided it didn't have really obvious pockets, weirdly placed seams, etc. Or if I so chose, I could easily make it out of raw sheepskins. However, I am extremely broke, and buying a long sheepskin coat, or even enough sheepskin to MAKE a log coat, is starting to look a little cost prohibitive, from the prices I've seen around the web in my preliminary searches.

At any rate, I was hoping maybe some folks around here might be able to offer suggestions on where I can find inexpensive shearling hides, or even where I could find inexpensive ready-made shearling coats, etc. I am also not at all opposed to using a faux sheepskin material for this. Normally I'm all for authenticity, and I tend to steer away from synthetic faux furs and leathers - but for the moment at least, this is mainly a costume item. I would love to have a genuine one so I could use it for cold-weather ranger-wear, but my priority at the moment is just to get something wearable that looks as close as possible to the original.

Soooooo... any thoughts?

Post by **caedmon** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 6:41 am

Just looked up this costume.

Are you sure it's shearling? The fur looks distinctly short and un-wool like (even for shearling).

Manveruon · Post by **Manveruon** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:35 am

I'm not 100% positive, and you're right about the fur looking rather un-wool-like, but I'm still inclined to say that's what it is. It's definitely not the nappy shearling I usually think of, but shearling does tend to have a hairier appearance than typical wool, from what i understand (though I am admittedly not sure of the distinction) and this seems to fit the bill for that (or nearly so). I think it's just been distressed and stained so heavily that it has taken on the look of a mangier fur.

I could be completely wrong, but that's my initial impression. If I could find a less expensive alternative that still looked the part I would be open to it.

Straelbora · Post by **Straelbora** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 1:31 pm

caedmon wrote:Just looked up this costume.

Are you sure it's shearling? The fur looks distinctly short and un-wool like (even for shearling).

I agree- it doesn't look like sheepskin to me. Coyote, maybe?

Post by **caedmon** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 4:25 pm

Ok, here's what we're talking about...

Manveruon · Post by **Manveruon** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 4:56 pm

Thanks Caedmon! I wasn't able to bring up a picture of it last night using my phone, so that definitely helps. Yeah, the fur does look... well... furrier than wool. At least in this shot. However, I have a ton of other screen shots on my computer from the last production diary, and honestly, in most of them it really does look like shearling. Just really, really dirty shearling. Still, I'd be happy with nearly anything of a furry appearance just so I could distress it and make it look the part. My concern at the moment is primarily finding something of at a reasonable price. Preferably under $100, if possible.

BrianGrubbs · Post by **BrianGrubbs** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:57 pm

These sheepskin rugs are on sale right now for $39.99 http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-u ... 66-90.aspx Might be something you can work with.

Brian

Post by **caedmon** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 9:38 pm

Does Bard strike anyone else as an Elvish impersonator?

Post by **Peter Remling** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 10:00 pm

caedmon wrote:Does Bard strike anyone else as an Elvish impersonator?

Very much so. I thought he could be Orlando's brother.

Straelbora · Post by **Straelbora** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 10:37 pm

caedmon wrote:Does Bard strike anyone else as an Elvish impersonator?

Sadly, to me, he looks like he wandered off the set of a '70s porn film.

Post by **Peter Remling** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 11:06 pm

Straelbora wrote:
caedmon wrote:Does Bard strike anyone else as an Elvish impersonator?
Sadly, to me, he looks like he wandered off the set of a '70s porn film.

Kinda makes me wonder about your choice in cinema.

Manveruon · Post by **Manveruon** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 11:16 pm

Straelbora wrote:
caedmon wrote:Does Bard strike anyone else as an Elvish impersonator?
Sadly, to me, he looks like he wandered off the set of a '70s porn film.

This is honestly what made me really hate his costume to begin with. Those stupid wide lapels and big collar on the coat, the apparently burlap sweater/shirt/thing, the giant sideburns, the almost-mullet hair. But now that I've had time to get used to it, the whole look is really growing on me. My facial hair is close to his anyway, because I have to keep it trimmed for Jack Sparrow. The hair is actually just pulled back on top, like Eomer and a few others had it in LotR. As for the coat, it's still a little weird and modern, but it's functional, and the rest of his clothes aren't actively offensive, they're just a little boring.

So yeah, I'm starting to dig it.

I have looked at the sheepskins from Tandy, and I could theoretically use one, but:
A) I don't think just one is big enough, and
B) I think it might just be too shaggy.

I'll definitely have a look at my local store when I can, but I'm not getting my hopes up too much. I'm starting to think that finding a synthetic alternative might be a good plan - except I don't have a clue where I can find faux shearling material with a simulated hide backing.

Mirimaran · Post by **Mirimaran** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 11:45 pm

Here is a new Bard pic, released today!

Ken

Post by **Peter Remling** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 12:58 am

Inverted grip on the bowstring. Last time I saw someone use this grip was for speed shooting.

Udwin · Post by **Udwin** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:02 am

Hmm interesting picture. I really like the look of that quiver (nice colour, simple lines), but I'm not sure about the coat--maybe it's that publicity picture in particular, but it just says 'Hollywood Rule-of-Cool'. The way it's designed and cut just looks like a modern cosmopolitan woman's coat to me, especially with the tails blown back in the 'wind'.
Nice to see the inverted string grip to spice things up, tho. Don't think we've seen that in films since AVATAR...

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