Starting from scratch and new to all this - where to start?

[Lord Trafford]

Is there a simple (i.e. something I would understand list of items I would need and the best place to get them, preferably all from the one place and if that isn't enough in the UK  

Or really if you didn't have a thing, and say had a budget of £1,000 what would you get and where?

[Mondas42]

Mate

Try this Wiki, it became my bible and I still refer to it on a alomost daily basis. There is a load of info but on the first page there is a 'shopping list'

http://jacksparrowcostuming.wikispaces.com/

My most important piece of advice is to check on here before you but anything as this way you will avoid wasting money

Martin

[Lord Trafford]

thanks for this. I think the checking here is clearly the important thing. From looking at the threads consistently everyone seems to sort of "start over" and do things properly.

I wondered if there was a sort of "approved list" of things and dealers or even ideally where someone has just put it all together in one package?

[Mondas42]

There isn't a approved list as such, but there are suppliers that most would recommend and then some that people would recommend to avoid. As well as that there are different levels of costume out there and it depends on how accurate and how much you want to spend. This will range from a basic fancy dress costume to a fully screen accurate all singing and dancing one. Also you need to decide which Jack you want to do and the costume varied from film to film, with the most recent been one of the hardest and most expensive to do as the material for the waistcoat in the fourth film very hard to come buy.

If you want the best, then Sara Fay is arguably the one to for, but as she tailors the costume to you, be prepared to pay for the best. Read the Wiki, and then read it again before you buy anything.

Martin

[Razorwid]

Are you in a rush to buy the stuff?

[RobbW]

Hee.  Aren't we all ALWAYS in a rush?  Even those of us who advise others to take their time and research before they buy?  Don't we all want what we want as quickly as possible?!  

[Button It]

Without wishing to insult the good work of Mojo's wiki too much, whilst it's a good place to start to get your head around the intricacies of the costume and it's variations, it's not the be all and end all, especially when it comes to advice on which vendors might be the best or most accurate - that's all subject to opinion and there are very few people out there who have seen the original costume or all the products available out there to make an informed judgement on what is best. Or the worst phrase of all "screen accurate", which means absolutely nothing unless you're going to specify a degree of accuracy (which in this case is quite hard to quantify anyway). There are of course vendors to be avoided like the plague, which hopefully are listed on the Wiki.

Rule number one - use your own eyes - have a look at screen shots, or photos of the original costume on display. Whilst photos can sometimes distort things a little you can get an idea of what's right and what's wrong. I've seen props that have had everyone raving about how "screen accurate" they are, but when compared to the original aren't anywhere near right... Or other garments that have been praised to the ceiling but that are missing vital features, for basic functionality.

Think about where you want to end up. If you have your budget of £1000 you could probably afford top of the range stuff for the basic Jack look without the coat and hat. But if you wanted the full Jack then you'd have to compromise. And then you'd probably give in and want to upgrade later, spending much more in the process.

[CommadoreKyle]

I second Button it, The wiki is a good start but you do have to come to your own conclusion about what works for you and what doesn't it especially when it comes down to Acme, Empire, Yordreem (which I highly recommend) and Anthony Z (Not recommended) Oh yes forgot the best one, Sara Fay Tailoring from what ive heard sells some the best Jack replicas they be outta my budget as of now but I would like to get my hands on one of her Jack coats someday......................
Note on Empire you may get some bad communication I haven't had a major problem with them they tend stretch the truth a bit but some of there items are very good.
My items are currently for example only not saying its the correct way for your costume just what id prefer
Yordreem wig
Yordreem shirt and wristwrap
Acme hat
EWT baldric and sun/ flower belt
Acme OST Anna Maria belt buckle and handmade belt done by myself.
fun costumes coat
Empire vest (bought cheaply in ebay auction)
Empire sash as it was the only one Availible
Getting Caboots
Yordreem breeches ordered aswell

again Just suggestions nor do I claim to know everything about these companys this is just from my personal experience with these vendors

[Button It]

Case in point. I'm lucky enough that I've been in a position to see quite a lot of the options and I think, money no option, that there are pretty much more accurate options available for all those things, short of Caboots, which seems to be the only viable option for boots.

Wigs wise I'd always stay away from wool dreads if possible - I don't think you get much value for money getting a wig with them in, and they don't look all that great close up. Mind you even with human hair you still have annoying children claim that you have dreads made from straw!  

[Razorwid]

Think about where you want to end up.    If you have your budget of £1000 you could probably afford top of the range stuff for the basic Jack look without the coat and hat.     But if you wanted the full Jack then you'd have to compromise.    And then you'd probably give in and want to upgrade later, spending much more in the process.    

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Can you stretch your budget?

[Lord Trafford]

The posts above sort of sum up what I was thinking/where this is all confusing.

I am I right in thinking that really you could break it up into say

Full Jack
Jack without coat

(ok yes within those there would be different types)

and then in each say

£0-£500
£500-£1000
£1000-£1500
£1500+

and within each then you would have a list of what suppliers for various things

Which would get a complete beginner started and then its down to collecting the smaller items like compass, pistols etc.

Would they be good threads as for example, yes I could happily stretch the budget but what would you get for the money and with so many options what would be the best approach?

[Razorwid]

I'd save your brass and buy the best, but that's just my opinion.

I'd personally buy the clothing from Sara Fay. That way you know it'll be right just for you. With or without the coat. I bought the costume base outfit as I needed something for a party and it did its purpose but I'm gonna buy the whole lot from her, just need to get down to see her. She's a perfectionist and her work speaks for itself.

Sash: I bought an empire one.

I bought acme belts from someone off here and there very nice but then I decided to buy them and a baldric from Button It and there the bees knees.

I bought a yordreem wig from someone off here and it's spot on but now I'm thinking of buying one from Cap. Cristian but that can wait as I want the clothing.

I bought my mermaid, chicken foot and snakes vertabrea from swagarts.

Tricorn, I've had three in total, first was too big, second is just a tad too small and my new one is spot on and that was bought from venno. That was £140 and that also speaks for itself. Awesome.

As for rings I ain't bought any yet as I need to find some that fit my chunky fingers i believe Captain Cristian makes them from time to time.

Sword: I have a plastic one and I bought a steal one from Indy.

Pistol: I've just got a cheap toy one for now. I've had a month and still not done anything with it as I'm busy with work.

Compass: cheap one for now

Beard braids : eBay think they were sith world or empire.


Depending on we're you live why don't you see if you could call at Sara Fays workshop and checkout her stuff. You'd have to ask her.

[Lord Trafford]

Thanks

Have sent sara faye and email

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

You have to keep two things in mind when approaching Captain Jack Sparrow as a costume:

1. Are you going to be creating this character for yourself as a impersonator or a once/twice per year at pirate events/Halloween.

2. How close to replicating Jack do you want to get

I say this because if you go with something that is "close enough" you will get stricken by Jack fever and you will find yourself nickle and diming each piece of the costume. Some of us Jacks have done this and found ourselves paying alot more than we needed too and also started making stuff ourselves.

Also if you suffer from OCD meaning Obsessive Costuming Disorder meaning every piece of Captain Jack has to be close to Screen Accurate as possible it is better to stick to one or two vendors. If you buy from one vendor and realize there is a better one you will see that you'll spend more money than is necessary.

Next pic a Jack from one of the movies that is easiest to replicate. DMC/AWE is probably the easiest because Jack didn't change that much from those movies. CoTBP is simple but difficult to find parts and pieces. OST is a little overkill because now we are talking about minute wig items and new waistcoat patterns and detail that will drive you insane. I've been doing OST Jack now since the before the movie and still tweaking my wig.

Finally do your research of vendors. There are good and bad, expensive and not so expensive, and complete garbage. Post your questions regarding certain vendors on your thread and we can answer them as best as possible.

[RobbW]

OCD sucks big donkey.  And costuming Captain Jack Sparrow only exacerbates the situation!!!  Believe me, I'm living through it right now.

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

OCD sucks big donkey.  And costuming Captain Jack Sparrow only exasperates the situation!!!  Believe me, I'm living through it right now.

OCD is great....it means you "HAVE ARRIVED!" 

[Blade Savvy]

OCD sucks big donkey.  And costuming Captain Jack Sparrow only exasperates the situation!!!  Believe me, I'm living through it right now.

OCD is great....it means you "HAVE ARRIVED!" 

If I keep going at the same rate of knots... I'll arrive in the Divorce Court!!!  

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