aiguilettes, fourragere, epaulette.

neighbors,
there are a lot of parts to a military-style uniform.
more than i thought at first,
and more than i even knew the names of.
so,.
imagine my surprise when i needed to recreate some of that
for my hallowe'en costume.
a little bitty baby bit of background research led me to a lot of learning
about dress uniforms and the symbolism of all that fancy stuff hanging on them.
especially the expert adornments and ornamentations of regal,
royal, mega-majestic couture.
that's no joke.
turns out, your dude napoleon was all about giving out specific honors
in the form of ropes and strings and sh!t.
which explains why they're all named in french.
oui.
now,
depending on the side they're worn on, the style, the thickness,
the tassels and fobs, and the color, even,
all those spaghetti straps are for personal and/or unit rank, distinction,
and situational accolade designation.
holy crap.
that's a lot of stuff to keep track of.
i guess two hundred years hasn't made any of that less complicated.
that also means quite a bit of backstory is certainly acceptable to have,
for a well-fleshed-out character to fill in the blanks,
and the sleeves inside of the costume.
all that extra work, all that extra adhesive, all that extra measuring and cutting.
hard styles, friends.
this dressing-up stuff has a whole lot of 'em.
but,
rules is rules,
so i've been gettin' busy with my busy business.
check the french-words-type teleport:

epaulettes?!
yep.
brooms on your shoulders are what's up.
i did not intend to make an elaborate coat at first.
no i did not.
nope.
not one bit.
not at all.
but,
too much is the right amount.
i have to be true to my infinite nature, kids.
that means that keeping it simple is not invited over.
i started with the cuffs.
a little trim, a little strap, a button or two.....
and i moved along to the back,
a few buckles, a couple flaps, a little chain,
and by the time i got to where i'm at now?
i went from a dude who was wearing a sorta nice jacket,
to a full-blown admiral of the most elite and accomplished fleet.
damn.
three costumes.
that's what i've got going on.
not on purpose, just be default.
i mean,
i even started F*ing with the top hat again:

yeah.
vials?
mmhmm.
we always need more teentsy glass tubes, don't we?
it's those little things that make me happy.
semi-clever details.
you know what i mean-
i'm no leather worker.
and i'm no LARPer
and i'm definitely not a craftsman.
i'm just a crafter...
and my (very) hot glue gun and i are in F*ing full effect these days.
hmmm?
oh, heck no, i am not sleeping much,
and i'm eating a lot less, but of a lot worse things than usual.
no.
not jerky and doritos.
jeez. i'm not a quitter A*hole.
go easy.
it's just that i don't want to lose this thread of artsy art(ish)makey hottness.
there is only what there is,
and when it leaves the eaves of the Folk Life & Liberty Fortress
it doesn't come back quickly.
getting while the getting is good to go.
that's what is happening here in the woodsly goodness.
really;
never quiet, never soft.....