First Stop Chicago
Review:
Introduction: This was the second Gene costume I bought. I got when we were in California, at a doll shop in Palm Springs. I only wanted to get outfit, so it was really hard to decide which one to get. I debated between this one, 'Love Letters,' and 'The Perfect Gift,' as I love suits, and I thought all those colors would go really nicely on a dark-haired Gene. But in the end, I bought this one. This was the outfit I was taking off of 'Shooting Star' when her arm broke off. It is, despite this sad experience, one of my favorite outfits.
The Suit: This suit was made of a muted teal fabric which I think is crepe. I've noticed that AD makes a lot of Gene outfits out of this crepe. It's a nice fabric. The skirt is just a simple skirt that snaps up the back. The jacket is rather difficult to get on. In fact, it's really, really difficult if you are putting it on a straight-armed Gene. You really cannot put a shirt on Gene under the jacket, because it won't button (snap) up if you do. It barely buttons even if she just has an undergarment on. The fur trim extends quite far (almost halfway) down the back of the jacket, much more than you'd expect by looking at the front. The pin is a 'crystal' and gold butterfly pin, which is, I believe, different from what is depicted in the official AD photo. It is permanently attached.
The Accessories: The most noticeable accessory is, of course, the hat. When I first got it, I didn't really know how to put it on, but in the end I decided that the veiling should go in the front. I had to pull it down over Gene's eyes a little by using one of her hat-pins. I usually have to use several (3 or 4) hat-pins to secure this hat to Gene's head. Personally, I think that the outfit looks better with the hat than without it (see comparisons below) . I don't exactly love the hat, but the fur is so imposing that I think the effect of the outfit is rather lost without the hat (although Gene looks better in real life than in the photo when she wears the suit without the hat).
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The accessories also include sling-back shoes just like the ones in 'Warmest Wishes,' except that the are open-toed, and are of a light tan. There is also a pair of short, dark brown gloves, which I like to use with Warmest Wishes. The outfit also includes a pair of 'crystal' earrings, and of course, the muff, which is made of matching faux fur. I was hoping that the new Simply Gene (with bendable elbows) would be able to put both hands in the muff, but this is not the case -- the arms do not bend enough. Oh, well. All in all, this is a gorgeous outfit (it is beautifully lined), that looks terrific on Gene. This, I think, is one of the most realistic (that is, 'human' and historically accurate) of Gene's clothes, and one of my favorites.
Pictures:
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Note: Gene is not shown wearing the gloves in these pictures.
I am in no way affiliated with Ashton Drake or Mel Odom, other than as a proud owner of a Gene Marshall doll.
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These pages were last updated on 07/16/01