Safari at the Zoo

On Saturday I went to a DFWCG event, Safari at the Zoo.  I drive past the Fort Worth Zoo all the time, but haven't ever been to my knowledge.  So this was my first excursion! And I made it in style. (All pictures courtesy of Jennifer Thompson. She takes the best pictures!)





Everyone else in our small group went the perceived traditional safari route, with pith helmets and shades of brown or khaki. (Although one lady did a multi-colored corset and peacock bustle!)



I love pith helmets, and actually have two of them, which I've used for costumes in the past. And for working around the yard, too. They work!

Trying to remove a stump, with my cousin's help. After several hours we resorted to the towing power of my neighbor's pickup truck. ;)

I got a major haircut (over 8") a few weeks ago, and for the first time my hair is short enough to do real 1940s curls. I love how they look with the hat.  The day of the safari was the third day after my first all-pincurl set. Although it had fallen out a lot, I still like how it looks.



This blue felt Western hat, probably from the 1940s, is one of my very favorite vintage hats, and I was dying to style it in a vintage-style adventurer outfit with my new hair.  Besides, any wide-brimmed vintage hat looks like Indiana Jones, and I'm an Indy fangirl from waaaaay back. ;)





I did a safari outfit for Halloween a few years ago, using some jodhpurs in won on ebay, one of my pitch helmets, ebay boots, and a me-made 40s blouse.  Saturday was shaping up to be a fairly chilly day, though, and I don't have adventure-y outerwear yet. I checked for some inspiration and found that breeches/jodhpurs were often worn with shirt and tie and pullover sweater, tucked in.

Source: photodetective.co.uk via Ginger - Scene in the Past on Pinterest

Source: thesartorialist.com via Ginger - Scene in the Past on Pinterest

Even Amelia Earhart, whose relaxed style didn't usually include a knotted tie, tucked in her pullover.

Source: collegefashion.net via Ginger - Scene in the Past on Pinterest

The final outfit:

Green jodhpurs: ebay, vintage (1940s?), cavalry twill (possibly cotton), possibly homemade
White long sleeve shirt: Kohl's, I think Apt. 9, a few years ago
Brown pullover: Old Navy, lambswool, a few years ago
Navy tie: a hand-me-down from my youngest brother
Brown belt: appropriated from my father
Brown boots: ebay, Nine West, probably 1990s




The difference between jodhpurs and breeches is that jodhpurs are ankle length, worn over short boots, and held down with a stirrup strap.  Breeches fit to below the knee, and tall boots are worn over them.  Mine are jodhpurs, but I am significantly taller than most 1940s women and they are ridiculously short. So I wear them as breeches!  I plan to take a pattern from them and make some that fit better, though.  They're perfect in the waist and hips, but need 6-8" more length in thighs and calves.  The knees on these have to pull up too far, so the fullness is out of proportion and my knees are very tight.  Anyone have a source for cavalry twill??



My brother gave me the tie, and a couple others, when he was cleaning out his clothes a few years ago. They're little boy ties, one step up from the clip-on kind, but too small for a large teenager. They're perfect on me for tucking into a pullover or waistcoat. It was surprisingly easy to learn how to tie a four-in-hand knot. I really liked how the outfit came out, and I think that the tie in particular is one element that makes it look more real.



I don't remember how long ago I got the belt from my father. It's reversible, black on the other side with a lot of paint splatters. I really like it because it's very flexible and long enough to loop the end.  My jodhpurs don't actually have belt loops, but the waist is high enough that the belt looked good and didn't go anywhere.



The only thing I would have added was gloves. The sun was bright and we weren't uncomfortable, but my hands were cold! Ah, well, I can't think of everything.  It was a lovely day at the zoo. The company was great, both the ladies and Jen's little boy. I grew up with three younger brothers, so it's fun to play with him. A great idea for an outing!