Building Your ATS® Wardrobe
Everytime I receive a package I ordered from online, it always feels like I'm reliving Christmas.
It's funny. I know what's inside, but it's still a wonderful surprise when I see my pretty emerge from the mundane packaging. It always begs me to put it on. I must know how it looks because you just never know when you order online. Sometimes you get the completely wrong thing or the item is damaged. I always get insanely pissed when that happens.
"I spent forever waiting only to be disappointed?! Curse it all!"
But when all is right... It looks good, feels good...
"ooo! How does it look with this?" Hours later the costume closet is practically empty and costuming litters all over the room. But I don't care. I love any excuse to play dress up like a little girl. Happy times.
As a beginner in ATS®, you will have lots of these happy moments to look forward to. Still yet, there's that sad day where you feel compelled to sell that skirt you never wear. Happens a lot to impulsive shoppers like me *sigh* Don't worry, it's going to a better home. It's also sad because ATS® costuming ain't cheap. It's disappointing to waste that money on something you hardly wear. Yeah sure, you can buy knockoffs from shady vendors. But know that it's cheap because it looks cheap and will deteriorate quickly. If you intend to perform regularly, you need to invest in high quality items.
And yet there's a huge diversity in the looks. Each setting and environment inspires its own look. Examples: for nightclubs, I like to play up the glamour and for renaissance festivals, I play up the folkloric look. Seasons also determine the color palette I choose. Then I have special items that I'll save for special occasions or big stage performances. All the while I'm following the ATS® Canon. I love how with a handful of items, you can create a lot of different looks.
So where to start?
Mind Your Neutrals
No need to worry if the colors clash because neutrals go with everything! Even each other! I recommend acquiring items that are in Black, White, Grays, Ivories, Browns, and shades of Beige. Also consider colors that have a dark base like Navy. Anything metal can be considered as a neutral as well. Some of my favorite Neutrals: Black and White Pinstripe Pantaloons, Black Drop Sleeve Choli, White Skirt, Coin Bra, Assuit Bra, Brown and Black Block Print Skirt... there are lots of options.
Having Neutrals are essential to the ATS® costume because they bring balance to all of the pretty colors. What's great is that you can use them with the multiple color palettes in your wardrobe! Multifunctional! When starting out, I highly recommend getting majority of your garments in neutral tones first. Especially a coin bra. Wait until you have figured out your color palette first before dropping lots of money and/or time into your colorful bra. The same goes for that Jaipur! Bookmark it and wait until you confirm it'll fit your color palette! I know it's pretty and you must have it right now but you'll thank me later!
Build Your Color Palette
While you wait for your neutrals to ship or taking a break from your current project, go to your closet where your normal people clothes live. Note the colors. Then find your absolutely favorite items and try them on. How does the color look on you? Does the garment make you feel beautiful and happy? Or do you wear it when you're ready for the day to be over with? ATS® is about happy fun times. We show our joy not only through the dance but through our costuming. Happy to be ourselves, thank you very much.
Once you have a really good idea of what you like, do your research. Find out what goes well with your favorite colors. It helps to know a little bit about color theory. It also helps knowing what kind of undertones your skin has and what works and what doesn't for your skin type. Not just colors either, consider what neutrals will contrast your skin tone well. If you want a neutral to blend with your skin, then let it be a deliberate artistic choice instead of an awkward accident. I must say that a Pinterest account will minimize the time you'll spend researching these fashion tips.
Lastly, do you agree or disagree with your research? Do you have more than palette you like? Art is not science. You have the right to make artistic decisions that are suited to your unique self. And although we dance together as a group, we are a group of individuals.
Collect Pretties!
One could argue that the embellishments like the hip scarves, belts, hair flowers, hair sticks, turbans, and jewelry are optional, but they're too much fun to omit! Especially the jewelry... yumm! Be sure to get a wide variety of embellishments both in neutrals and colors!
When you're shopping for your base items and embellishments, make it a habit of finding the item in both a neutral and a color. Yes it can be an expensive shopping this way, but an ATS® wardrobe is a collection of items that you can mix and match into a huge variety of outfits. When you have a solid plan beforehand, instead of shopping impulsively, your purchases immediately become smart investments.
It's funny. I know what's inside, but it's still a wonderful surprise when I see my pretty emerge from the mundane packaging. It always begs me to put it on. I must know how it looks because you just never know when you order online. Sometimes you get the completely wrong thing or the item is damaged. I always get insanely pissed when that happens.
"I spent forever waiting only to be disappointed?! Curse it all!"
But when all is right... It looks good, feels good...
"ooo! How does it look with this?" Hours later the costume closet is practically empty and costuming litters all over the room. But I don't care. I love any excuse to play dress up like a little girl. Happy times.
As a beginner in ATS®, you will have lots of these happy moments to look forward to. Still yet, there's that sad day where you feel compelled to sell that skirt you never wear. Happens a lot to impulsive shoppers like me *sigh* Don't worry, it's going to a better home. It's also sad because ATS® costuming ain't cheap. It's disappointing to waste that money on something you hardly wear. Yeah sure, you can buy knockoffs from shady vendors. But know that it's cheap because it looks cheap and will deteriorate quickly. If you intend to perform regularly, you need to invest in high quality items.
The ATS® costume is pretty simple: Pantaloons, Skirt, Choli, Bra.
 |
| TerraNova Tribal at a New Year's Eve show: Last Night Fayetteville |
So where to start?
Mind Your Neutrals
 |
| 2 of the 4 Sister Studios in Arkansas, Cynthia & Deb |
Having Neutrals are essential to the ATS® costume because they bring balance to all of the pretty colors. What's great is that you can use them with the multiple color palettes in your wardrobe! Multifunctional! When starting out, I highly recommend getting majority of your garments in neutral tones first. Especially a coin bra. Wait until you have figured out your color palette first before dropping lots of money and/or time into your colorful bra. The same goes for that Jaipur! Bookmark it and wait until you confirm it'll fit your color palette! I know it's pretty and you must have it right now but you'll thank me later!
Build Your Color Palette
While you wait for your neutrals to ship or taking a break from your current project, go to your closet where your normal people clothes live. Note the colors. Then find your absolutely favorite items and try them on. How does the color look on you? Does the garment make you feel beautiful and happy? Or do you wear it when you're ready for the day to be over with? ATS® is about happy fun times. We show our joy not only through the dance but through our costuming. Happy to be ourselves, thank you very much.
Once you have a really good idea of what you like, do your research. Find out what goes well with your favorite colors. It helps to know a little bit about color theory. It also helps knowing what kind of undertones your skin has and what works and what doesn't for your skin type. Not just colors either, consider what neutrals will contrast your skin tone well. If you want a neutral to blend with your skin, then let it be a deliberate artistic choice instead of an awkward accident. I must say that a Pinterest account will minimize the time you'll spend researching these fashion tips.
Lastly, do you agree or disagree with your research? Do you have more than palette you like? Art is not science. You have the right to make artistic decisions that are suited to your unique self. And although we dance together as a group, we are a group of individuals.
Collect Pretties!
One could argue that the embellishments like the hip scarves, belts, hair flowers, hair sticks, turbans, and jewelry are optional, but they're too much fun to omit! Especially the jewelry... yumm! Be sure to get a wide variety of embellishments both in neutrals and colors!
When you're shopping for your base items and embellishments, make it a habit of finding the item in both a neutral and a color. Yes it can be an expensive shopping this way, but an ATS® wardrobe is a collection of items that you can mix and match into a huge variety of outfits. When you have a solid plan beforehand, instead of shopping impulsively, your purchases immediately become smart investments.
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