What to Expect at a Renaissance Faire: The Types of Costumes

 

Are you looking for the perfect ren faire costume? Not sure medieval costumes are the best thing for you? Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned faire-goer, it can be tricky to find the right outfit. As a modern-day visitor and with so many different options available, it can be hard to know a good place to start. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips on how to choose the perfect renaissance faire costume for you!

 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your renaissance faire costume:

 

• Consider your budget. Renaissance costumes can range from simple and inexpensive to elaborate and expensive. It is important to decide how much you are willing to spend before you start shopping.
• Consider your crafter/maker skill level. It's good to consider this particularly if you would like to make something yourself. It is no use buying gorgeous, expensive fabric if you can't work with it. Having said that, don't be afraid to try out creating something. Everyone starts somewhere.
• Consider reusability. Do you wish for a costume that will be used once or are you hoping to create something you might re-wear? It may not make a lot of sense to put hours and hours into a garment if you will only don it for one occasion.

 

Before anything else you will need to choose what sort of socioeconomic class you would like to portray. There is no right answer, just what you prefer. The atmosphere of a Faire is open and fluid when it comes to garb choices, which is fantastic. So let your imagination go as you make this decision. There is a strong element of fantasy in a faire environment in addition to the more straightlaced, proper historical representation. So lets get started with the women and those who wish to portray women.

 

Choose your class

For women, as men there are several stations in life you can choose: Ladies, Merchants, and Peasants. The medieval clothing is similar just with different styles for each class.

Ladies A noble costume would use good quality fabrics such as brocades and velvets although you can make it work with less expensive fabrics. Personally, my standard is: does it look real and does it look wealthy. Others choose to only use natural fibers for historical accuracy but this not often faire standards, nor is it mine. Most costumes of the Lady class have beading and/or embroidery on it. Noblewomen garb is not complete without one, the other, or both. You can always add machine embroidery and use natural fabrics that are pre beaded to get the same look. This will need to be built from the foundation up with a chemise (a type of undershirt), pair of "bodies" (corset), hoop and hats and jewelry. Almost all women of every class wore some sort of head covering. If you are looking for accurate period costumes the best place to start looking for ideas is in history books. Look at the pictures and take note of the different parts of the garb you would like to include in your costume.

 

Merchants are generally speaking a middle class type of persona. Decent fabrics are used and often the same foundation garments. Marchant class also tends to be a bit more modest with understated head wear and minimal jewelry. Finish of the look with a simple hat. For example, muffin caps fill the merchant headwear requirements well.

 

Peasants are a class that wear very simple outfits with minimal garb foundation. That can make it appealing to those who are going for a simple look or comfort at the Faire. Peasant doesn't have to mean dirty, unless you'd like that look. A peasant dress is simple will fewer layers and usually only one type of fabric.

 

Now let us move on the men's choices.

 

Lord is an excellent class to pick for a gentleman. It can be fun to choose a romantic persona who attempts to woo the ladies or a haughty Lord who commands respect. Despite it being a masculine garment most of them had embroidery and even beading on their garments. This was a symbol or their garb as much as the Lady. As far as inventory of clothing you also start with foundations of chemise (undershirt) and depending on your era perhaps tights. Next will come a doublet or well-made tunic. Hats are extremely important to the nobility. For gentlemen a tall, sumptuous, feathered hat are not only fun to wear but accurate to the costume class. His accessories may sometimes include a leather pouch for money, jewelry, a sword, and even a codpiece. I'll cover THAT one later.

 

Merchant clothing is similar but understated. Chemise, a well-made doublet or tunic. A hat is an excellent idea that can carry the garment a long way. Good quality fabric is necessary but need not be embellished or showy. The handiwork of that class tends to be embroidery rather than beading but who cares? Dress it however you like.

 

Peasant class is the simplest garments but still the same series of layers: undershirt, doublet/tunic, pants, or tights. Hats are often worn, although humble. Your costume could be accessorized with a simple hat. A straw hat, floppy hats, flat caps or flower crowns are all a good choice. The best part about this class is its cost if your are on a tight costume budget.

 

Character Costumes

Now we arrive at the category with unarguably the most fun: characters! Some of these are specific to gender but most are not. These types of renaissance faire costumes are a great way to get stared on your costume journey1

 

The first that is is the Wench persona. Wenches have a ball! They wear bright, colorful clothing and usually dispense of hats altogether (Gasp!). Usually A chemise is worn for foundation and then a corset that serves both to shape foundation and as a bodice. In this way they are a little bit naughty and a whole lot of fun. Leather belts with pouches and mugs are a must. Wenches also have a bit of witch in them with flowing scarves, multiple skirts and bells adorning. She is also more likely to carry a leather belt with pouch and/or and basket to carry personal items. She is not often seen without her tankard (mug).

 

Ah-hoy me maty! Pirates (of any sex) are also a blast to portray. Often they carry swords, definitely mugs, and scarves with bright colors of their own and most certainly a good set of leather boots. Hats are usually forgone and if there is a party, they will raid it! Their unpredictability makes them entertaining .

 

Fairies can be portrayed by either sex but most often it is women. These are the freest of personas. Flowing scarves and bright colors are a must. Wings are helpful but not necessary. Usually, they are clothed in diaphanous fabric to give the illusion of flying. Most wear fantasy makeup, and hats are replaced by floral crowns. Wands are sometimes seen but mostly the Renaissance Faire Fairy persona is more playful than it is about flitting around granting wishes.

 

Lastly, you have heroes and villains such as Robin Hood and the Sherriff of Nottingham. Robin Hood himself has a distinct type of costume that is most often dominated by a traditional archers cap. Bows and arrows with an arrow sling off the back is extremely popular. Although Robin Hood is well known in folklore although you do not have to be portraying him to wear his style of garb. Many of both sexes take this look and make it their own.

 

Both the medieval and renaissance eras are time periods full of fascinating history and there are many ways to reflect that in your garb. I hope you've enjoyed this little foray into renaissance costuming. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Happy Faire!

 

And fair thee well!