Though I submitted this a while back, I realized this morning I never actually did a proper shoot with this kit. So dutifully, I finished putting the brown tops on the boots (a project from a couple of years back) and took a few photos before supper. For whatever reason, this is one of my favourite shots to come out of any shoot with any costume yet. It's still a bit grainy - I've yet to perfect all of the technological nuances - but it certainly does the job for now.

So...

Banastre Tarleton 1751 - 1833 - Picture here --> [link] (I saw that painting in the National Gallery in London this summer. SO MUCH LOVE. The thing is huge - probably fifteen feet high. ILU Joshua Reynolds)

Lieutenant-Colonel of the British Legion during the American Revolution. I'd give you a lengthy history spiel here but it's nearly midnight and I need to be up at eight tomorrow to go on a linen hunt. But if you're interested, take a peek-see at the following which is quite good: [link]

The coat is made of green wool and lined with white cotton. I used JP Ryan's sleeved waistcoat pattern and just cut the length up to the right size. Originally used the KK Doublebreasted Men's Short Jacket and it kicked my ass seriously so that was abandoned and I reverted to the Ryan. Unfortunately, I can't claim to have made the breeches - I've yet to put together a proper doeskin pair so these are just one of my standard riding pairs. But they do the look for now. Bought the boots off of eBay a couple of years ago and added the brown tops by hand. They don't fit as well as they should but will hopefully stretch out a bit in the summer. The helmet blank was bought from G.Gedney Godwin - the crest is bear fur. When I put it together, I managed to cajole the centurion of the Roman group into cutting off a bit of the bear skin the signifer wears (seen here previously: [link] ) and the turban is green cotton, wrapped around with gold chain bought from Rona. Lastly, 1750s hanger sword ftml. I still haven't got a decent 1780s light cavalry sabre. Someday! And yes, that's the same buffet that you can see in pretty near all of my 18th/19th century shoots.

You can see another shot here: [link]

Since we're sort of on the topic, I came across James Miranda Barry the other day, who was pretty much the coolest person ever.