Thread: Hi and a few questions!

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Hi everyone. I've got a few questions for all of you. My husband and I are going to dress up this halloween as Jack the Ripper and a prostitute. (he he, I get to be the ripper!) My question is as follows... I've got a modified turkish surcoat that I think might work for his costume. It's scooped out below the breasts and only laces down halfway down the ribs, but I thought I could drape a scarf around his neck and tuck it into the bodice, and with a corset underneath it might work. Also, he'd be wearing a chemise under, and I can improvise a bustle underneath it. Does this sound like it might work? Does anyone know what prostitutes in the 1880's would be wearing? Am I anywhere close? Any other suggestions? Thanks!!!

Oh, and another question. I've got an english mastiff, and thought it would be fun to dye her red and call her clifford. Any ideas on how I can do this safely? I don't want to use the hairspray because she might get sick licking it off, and something like henna would take a long time sitting on her and she would have too much opportunity to dye the rest of my household.

Entertainers, Hurdy Gurdy Girls and Soiled Doves

is a good place to start for the 1880's look.

And dying your mastiff!? lol Alright if you really wanna - use food coloring and water in a spray bottle. Food coloring is edible and won't hurt the pooch is he goes lick-crazy. They also sell dog dye, but this is a friendlier, quicker method.

Here's a picture of "Mary Kelly" from the movie From Hell.
Photos from From Hell

Also, I think anything being touted as a Mrs. Lovett costume would probably work. I had done some research on the subject earlier as Jack the Ripper & Mary Kelly was one of my costume ideas for the husband and I this year. Hope you'll post pictures when you get the costumes together!