OKAY I HAVE AN IMPORTANT THREAD FOR YOU about fighting in ballgowns! I will illustrate with Disney Princess gifs, because why not. First, you can absolutely swordfight in a dress. Some dresses are great to swordfight in, and some are not so great.
-
-
You don't have the range of motion or flexibility you need to fight, and the off-the-shoulder thing is going to get in the way bigtime. (This is why Jasmine's outfit sucks to fight in even though she wears pants. Good luck moving your arms in those sleeves.)pic.twitter.com/NPU422G3Ws
Show this thread -
The top reason I love Merida is because she runs into the sleeves-too-tight problem and SOLVES IT during that archery scene near the beginning with her awesome seam-ripping flex. This is spot-on. This is what your heroine should do if she has to fight in a dress like this.pic.twitter.com/jCglE25nYf
Show this thread -
You want sleeves that have range of motion in the shoulder. Puffy or dangly sleeves are okay so long as they don't dangle too much on your wrist or forearm, in which case circular motions can wrap them around your arm.
Show this thread -
My girl Maleficent
has too much fabric hanging off her arms, but whatever, she can zap you with magic or turn into a dragon, she can wear whatever she wants.pic.twitter.com/wOH33IOrCVShow this thread -
Corsets are less of a problem than you'd think, so long as you don't lace them too crazy tight. (Like, Ariel, you'd better still have gills, because your waist is only slightly larger than your neck, here.)pic.twitter.com/WrRqbnwPej
Show this thread -
I have fought a LOT in a corset. You can't bend much in the middle, but that's not a huge issue (and will be even more true in, say, a metal breastplate). So long as you've got it laced so it's breathable, you're okay.
Show this thread -
The big thing that sucks in a corset is actually getting up and down off the ground (because you have to bend to do that). Doable, but you might be a little slower. (Again, just like a cuirass, I imagine.)
Show this thread -
Steel boning might even protect you somewhat, depending on how hardcore your corset is and what kind of strike, etc. (You are probably out of luck against a thrust.)
Show this thread -
One thing that will throw you off way more than you think is any kind of purse. Anything asymmetrical or dangly that's not close to your body throws off your balance. (This goes for all the guys you see fighting with all kinds of crazy gear hanging off them, too.)pic.twitter.com/ucfiyYpAjf
Show this thread -
I have overall found cloaks harder to fight in than many dresses. They tend to foul your arms, cool though they look.pic.twitter.com/SfgnbTWnJJ
Show this thread -
So! If you're attending a ball and you suspect you may be a novel heroine, remember: Full mobility sleeves without too much dangly stuff No floor-length skirts (or train, ugh) No cloak (doff it for effect!) Poofy skirts fine (but not in heavy underbrush) Corsets fine
Show this thread -
(And if it's a masked ball, make sure you have good peripheral vision! SO IMPORTANT.)
Show this thread -
Remember all this, and be ready to rip your seams if you have to, and you'll be able to dance with the villain AND duel him later.pic.twitter.com/iiZvL5JK2n
Show this thread -
(...So, wow, I had NO IDEA this would go viral! I APPROVE OF YOUR PRIORITIES, INTERNET.) ((And, uh, hey, if you like fabulously dressed women having adventures, you might also like my book https://www.amazon.com/Tethered-Mage-Swords-Fire/dp/0316466875/ …))
Show this thread -
(Oh, hey, and here's a link to the first few chapters free because I LOVE ALL YOU AWESOME PEOPLE: https://www.orbitbooks.net/excerpt/the-tethered-mage/ …)
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.