Outdated grass styles?

[keeler]

I'm a former Grass Dancer who hasn't made a new outfit in several years due to moving alot with the military. I am now working on a new outfit and was hoping to get some help on what is the current "norm" for grass dance outfits. I know that grass is a constantly evolving style,and wondered about what had become "outdated" as far as outfit styles. This is in the last 5-7 years. Any input would be appreciated. I do tend to have a preference for the "old school" look.

[sookout sh'nob]

Welcome back brother! Things are mostly the same - although the roaches seem to be always getting longer - trying to keep up with the southern otter drags i spose.

A good place to start might be in browsing the grass dance gallery and sorting by posted date in descending order (newest posted first).

A couple of my recent favs from Paul G at Hunting Moon:
One in yarn, another in ribbon
The backside

Other than that, I like the way flat fringe looks and moves a lot - a little more weight than yarn and it doesn't tangle up or knot around the legs.

I see no hand items more often than i do see any. but we've had discussion lately about dancers carrying both mirror boards (a la prairie chicken style), whip sticks (from fancy dancers).

I have not been seeing as many fans, and when i do, I really like how the narrower flat fans (5-7 feather) look. I couldn't find a pic right away - but the ones i'm talking about aren't on extenders and aren't much wider than the handle they are mounted in - usually about the width of a hand with it's fingers outstretched.

Interesting enough, I'm seeing a lot of shots of prairie chicken dancers with fur or ribbon covered hoops.

Hope tha thelps you get started!

[keeler]

Welcome back brother! Things are mostly the same - although the roaches seem to be always getting longer - trying to keep up with the southern otter drags i spose.

A good place to start might be in browsing the grass dance gallery and sorting by posted date in descending order (newest posted first).

A couple of my recent favs from Paul G at Hunting Moon:
One in yarn, another in ribbon
The backside

Other than that, I like the way flat fringe looks and moves a lot - a little more weight than yarn and it doesn't tangle up or knot around the legs.

I see no hand items more often than i do see any. but we've had discussion lately about dancers carrying both mirror boards (a la prairie chicken style), whip sticks (from fancy dancers).

I have not been seeing as many fans, and when i do, I really like how the narrower flat fans (5-7 feather) look. I couldn't find a pic right away - but the ones i'm talking about aren't on extenders and aren't much wider than the handle they are mounted in - usually about the width of a hand with it's fingers outstretched.

Interesting enough, I'm seeing a lot of shots of prairie chicken dancers with fur or ribbon covered hoops.

Hope tha thelps you get started!

Thanks. I was thinking yarn with a chainette overlay (for a touch of the 70's). My main question is on the top of the outfit. Do you see many vest outfits coming out; or aplicade shirts? I asked my cousin and he said in the NE the yolk has pretty much become the standard again. However, I need something a little more universal as I plan to carry my regalia with me whenever possible. This way I can dance whenever and wherever I get the chance. It's time for me to get back to being me. Ya know what I mean?

[sookout sh'nob]

You bet, someone brought chainette up here on the forum a few weeks back.

Most of what I have seen has been the grass dance shirt - BUT I think vests may be poised to gain in popularity. Quiet a few guys are going with less fringe on the top and heavier on the bottom - sort of paving the way for the vest. One of my students - he's 17 - is currently making a vest outfit, which is really exciting to me (I just finished one myself).

I used to wear a yoke (then i could was my shirts!) when i first started, but haven't see many adults wearing them here in the Upper midwest.

I say just go with whatever you like the most - after all, the MC says to dance YOUR style... It'll be interesting to see what you come up with - keep us updated!

[keeler]

So basically the options are wide open....good. I know it's always been dancer's preference, but there has always been styles that were less popular. One more question; Are there any materials that are considered inappropriate. I know that sequins use to be a big thing. I always prefered beads but I'm thinking of doing some sequin pieces to get the outfit danceable while I finish the beadwork. I would replace the sequins at that time. Is this still considered OK?

[sookout sh'nob]

I checked with the great mystery last night and he said sequins are go!

Regalia design has really been pushed forward in a lot of areas (color, appliqué style, amount of appliqué, etc) in the past 20 or 30 years. If you look through the galleries, there don't appear to be very many rules or boundaries.

There's even a couple of Julius Not Afraid in this grass dance outfit that has what looks like plaid pajamas for it's base material. He has another set in a similar pattern that is red and orange.

So there you have it, I guess PJs are in! Sorta like a 21st century return to the long john/union suit grass outfits a couple centuries back (late 1800s).

[keeler]

PJ's!!! Woo Hoo

That's good news about the sequins. I do believe that you are right. Those do appear to be Pajamas. That gives me an Idea. I alwayd did want to make an outfit out of my glow in the dark Blanket PJ's. They have stars and rocket ships on them. Maybe I'll build an outfit on them to wear for night sessions; just incase the power fails. Of course we know that never happens. It would totally be for a laugh but it might have a unique look.

[keeler]

vest fringe ?s

O.K. I'll get serious again. I've decided to do a vest style outfit. My ? is about fringe on the vest. How much fringe is usualy attached to the vest nowadays, and where is it being placed? I'm putting yarn on the pants and apron. I'm overlaying chainette on the apron and useing chainette on the: vest, cuffs, wings,& side drops.The chainette is approx. 3-4 inches long.