|
|
UNDERSTANDING RENAISSANCE FAIRES
STEP 1 - CREATING A CHARACTER
If you attend a Renaissance Faire as an observer, rest easy. There is no specific dress code. Flat, comfortable shoes and easy to wear clothes will make your journey more pleasant. But you may find more memorable enjoyment in adopting a character and dressing the part. An easy way of getting into the mood, is through imaginative use of clothing that you probably already have at home.
The next step is to create a character, or renaissance alter ego that reflects your personality and interests, or furthers your fantasies.
Your first step into the Renaissance world should be simple and reasonably inexpensive. Peasants came in many varieties. Washer woman, sailor, pirate, witches, merchant, monger (the village crazy people), cook, seamstress, brewer, puritan (religious zealot), bar maid, farmer, blacksmith, minstrel and jester. Peasants were the highly visable, working class backbone of the renaissance period and their dress, accesories and public personae strongly
reflected their occupation and station in life. When chosing a character you can go with your type; for example, if a woman is a quiet observer she would do well in the role of a merchant's wife or seamstress-if she is bold and outgoing, she'd better be suited to the role of a minstrel or bar maid. A man who lifts weights would be a convincing blacksmith and a brash impulsive man would do well as a pirate. Or, you can chose to live through a fantasy character of your
chosing.
STEP 2 - THE CLOTHING
MEN - A typical man's outfit of the period would include boots, breeches (pants), a shirt, vest, and a hat. Shirts were long sleeved and full bodied with a drawstring, high collar, drop collar, or no collar. If you are on a budget, guys can wear a free fitting shirt with a vest and loose fitting solid color pants cut off just below the knee. Always keep your legs covered with knee high stockings, knee high boots or moccasins (no fringe). Leather scandals are always a viable alternative. Accessorize with tools of your trade.
WOMEN - A typical woman's outfit would be over and under skirts of different colors, a full, flowing shirt, and a bodice. Skirts must be full and below the ankle. Trick: Wear two skirts the same length and tuck one up into the waist. If you're on a budget wear a loose fitting gauzy dress in natural color, an embroidered or lacy vest, leather scandals and a floral garland in your hair. Other footwear: MaryJanes, Kung Fu slippers or boots.
Choose colors that are earth tones such as shades of : browns, golds, rusts. Avoid bright reds, fluorescent and other bright colors or pastel shades. These are modern colors. Fabrics should be rough natural such as wool, woven cotton, raw silk, flax, leather and linen. Wearing different textures together creates a good look. DO NOT use prints, velour, sheers, gingham, seersucker, or 100% polyester.
CHILDREN - Until the age of three all children wear long shifts and a muslin cloth cap (biggins). Older children dress as smaller versions of the adults.
HATS - Everyone wears a hat. Hat's should have a 16th century look to them such as muffin caps, biggins or straw hats.
|