How far is too far?

[balletboot]

When it comes to not being period-accurate, how far do you consider too far? Are you a strict historian, or does pretty much anything go (or, like most, are you somewhere in the middle)? Basically, what are you limits?

I'm asking because I have a set that I am beginning to make that I know is quite a bit off period (ie. lower class 1700s), and while I do love it, I'm starting to feel a bit iffy with it for faire. That, and I'm simply curious 

[Dinobabe]

Storm Troopers in kilts.... ya, that's too much.

1700's, hmmm.  I guess it depends on the exact style.  Colonial, no.  Pirate, maybe.  A few more details might help.
But like anybody that makes faire clothing it's all about what makes you happy.  I think we have already established that "faire" includes a wide variety of styles.  This isn't SCA after all!  Listen to opinions but really the choice is yours.

[Magpie Flynn]

I agree with Dinobabe, whatever makes you happy!

Though I don't think Colonial should be a no-no but 17th/18th century pirate acceptable. (that's just my opinion) I'm all for seeing all sorts of different garb at faire. 

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

While I growing to like the Steampunk genre, seeing Steampunk in a 16th century setting is a bit askewed.

Now a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Convention setting like Mars Con or CONVergence, YEPPERS!

[Xantrawler]

I feel that as long as it looks close and blends in it is ok. When you are relatively new to faire (Like us, third year) you can't always jump right in with HA garb. You slowly build it up as yo can afford it. I still have to get a belt and boots to complete my outfit and that will be done this year. Like the rest on here have said though, if it makes you happy and you like it then enjoy. (But please no Storm Trooper in kilts. That is going to far.)

[serenamoonsilver]

Also, 1700's is a big time period.  Fashion changes a lot of 100 years.  Just look at this illustration, the middle row represents the 1700's and there is a lot of variation.  It depends greatly on where you fall on that timeline as to how "off" you'll be.  1700 is very close to the end of the Renaissance while 1799 is close to the Regency.  And stuffed in the middle is the whole Baroque/Rococo periods.

As for personal preference though, non-HA at faire doesn't bother me much.  Not only do you have fantasy creatures running around, the majority of the pattrons are in 21st century dress anyway, so be off a time period or so doesn't really ruin the "illusion" for me anyway.

[gem]

Serena, I would *love* to know more about the ensemble you're planning! Eighteenth C. is my second costuming love.

Generally speaking, nothing people wear at Fair bothers me all that much. I decided years ago that I was not going to let other people's garb affect MY day. (Unless we're talking serious garb envy, of course!!)

That said, I don't wear my 18th C. kit to Fair, and I would personally feel more uncomfortable with something H/A (historically accurate) from another period, than I would with something that wasn't trying to be historical at all! Although I don't know why an 18th century outfit would bother me any more than a medieval outfit--if you're already off by 150-200 years, why should it matter which direction? Huh.

That said, there are a lot of things about working-class dress that were slow to change (when they changed at all), so it's possible 95% of fairgoers won't even recognize that you're a peasant from 1750 instead of 1550. If you want to make it Fair-wearable (and not stand out too much), look into ways that could make it blend better--solid colors instead of stripes or prints, for example.

[Butch]

Actually, right now I am working on a pair of Marine uniforms to wear to pirate weekends of various faires.  WAY out of RenFaire time period, but right at the end of the GAOP.  Wanna have these to counter the filthy, murderous pirates that plundered the world's ships, until the young U.S. stood up against them.  That's part of my history! 
No offense meant to our breatheren who portray pirates.
BUT, only for this particular weekend!  200 years out of the Renaissance Period being portrayed is outside of my normal comfort zone.

[isabelladangelo]

I do 18th C, Steampunk (working on a gown for that right now), Victorian, Regency, and Edwardian outside of Faire.  At Faire, unless it is the day of wrong, I tend to go with the late 15th century or 16th century look -either Italian or English.  I have worn Viking -but it was "pirate" day and it was raining.  Pirate weekend is the only other time I'll be caught in something not exactly Renaissance (and, besides, the Vikings were pirates!) although I'm slowly going more and more 16th C (I need a leather doublet!). 

At faire, I'm not as strict as at SCA events however it does annoy me to no end when people think underbust corsets being worn outside the clothing (without support!  eww...) is somehow period appropriate.   Although we are "playtrons" we also are obligated to not perpetuate the ignorance about any historical period.  If you are dressed a lower class early 18th century, tell people that you are.   

[Lady Christina de Pond]

even though i'm not that historically accurate and i don't walk around going ohhh they aren't historically accurate i saw some teens dressed but they were in more colonial type cloths i didn't see them first my best friend spotted them and i later saw them go past. i think as long as you are trying for the correct time frame then it's fine but yeah storm troopers and jedi are too far as well is colonial

[crazyrennie]

With my job at fair I have to take a line being HA and being able to do the job-working in AZ some accomodations have to be made or else we drop from the heat

[DonaCatalina]

I prefer to be as accurate as I can and its a continual work in progress as more research becomes available.
I do allow myself a few shortcuts because some things are just not physically possible for me anymore.
But I am not going to go around criticizing anyone else's fair garb.

Faire is about fun in a vaguely renaissance setting. This is not historical reenactment; which I have done.
This thread does have the potential to become very volatile.

[Dinobabe]

Faire is about fun in a vaguely renaissance setting. This is not historical reenactment; which I have done.
This thread does have the potential to become very volatile.

Good point!!  Balletboot is looking for some friendly advice so let's please keep it that way!

[serenamoonsilver]

Serena, I would *love* to know more about the ensemble you're planning! Eighteenth C. is my second costuming love.

Sadly, I'm not planning anything Eighteenth Century at the time, as I've got my steampunk and fairie outfits to finish.  I love the frou-frou look of mid 18th C. France and have always dreamed of doing this dress worn by Madame de Pompadour.  However, neither my sewing skills nor my pocketbook make it fesiable at this time  .

[NicoleBridget]

I try to dress as historically accurate as I can, but my attitude with regards to others is very much "to each their own".  Faeries to Storm Troopers...they're all paying customers, they're all supporting an event that brings me immense joy so I'm grateful for their participation.  And whilst I probably wouldn't dress as a faery, I think they add to the magic and I always love to see them.  Costumed patrons, from Evel Kenevil to students of Hogwarts (yes, both spotted at Sterling), are there to have fun, they have joyous, happy spirits and they add to the celebration.  Think how boring the aesthetic would be if everyone dressed 100% historically accurate?  Steampunk characters and Sailor Moon add spice to my ren fest pork pocket!

[isabelladangelo]

With my job at fair I have to take a line being HA and being able to do the job-working in AZ some accomodations have to be made or else we drop from the heat

And they didn't have heat in the Renaissance?  The Turkish and the Italians did and they certainly got by.   Wearing a full Elizabethan is idiotic but wearing a hand sewn linen chemise, linen pants, and a linen "Turkish" coat is quite nice in the heat.  I've done it (95F plus 90%~ humidity).  I'm not saying you need to be perfect but I've gotten tired of the excuse "I need to work so I can't be H/A" because it's not like people didn't work each and every day in the middle ages/renaissance in that clothing as well. 

[Ser Niall]

I never considered ren faires to be historically accurate events at all.  The whole point to me is having fun, and transport yourself out of the real world for a day.  I love seeing all kinds of outfits, from HA to fantasy dungeons and dragons type garb.  As long as it all fits into the "medieval Europe" type theme, it all fits to me.  I mainly attend the Michigan Renaissance Festival, and there are always plenty of fairies, lotr characters, characters from fantasy video games, as well as many HA outfits.  None of it ever seems out of place, and all of it add to my personal enjoyment of the festival.

[Adriana Rose]

I like the look of the H/A clothing but its just not for me. I like how I dress and well I sort of have to dress in " kid crack" cloths. Like brighter colors and more disneyish styles because 1. I like it and 2. as a Garland girl I have to draw the little girls in and looking like a princess really helps.

[Lady De Rue Rue]

I take three perspectives of the faire, which is there are the "Guilds" which must be H/A, playtrons who are either close to H/A or 100% H/A, and then the faire enthusiasts who are just starting out at the faire and are slowly adding pieces as they go.

One of my gowns and accessories is very H/A, then I have a Tudor gown that is more faire fantasy even though it was sewn from a pattern from Tudor Tailor.  This will be our second year going as a family and our daughter wanted a "lavender" Elizabethan gown.  One of the "Guilds" rules is no one can wear purple except the Queen or if given permission by the Queen.  Well, we are not part of the Guild nor are we trying to join a Guild so, I went with what floats my boat.  So, our daughter got her lavender Elizabethan gown made for her. 

The way I look at the faire we are there to one: have a good time, two: meet some great people and three: escape from the crazy everyday modern world for a couple hours and find some sense of sanity. 

I don't go to the faire to nitpick or make judgements on people's garb or how they come dressed, life is too short!  Have a good time no matter how you come dressed.

[Adriana Rose]

My favorite snark on my colths at faire was from a girl wearing a metallic red dress she said in a very snarky voice " Thats not very accurate." Me with a very sweet smile , " Well neither are you honey"

[The Rabbi]

In my opinion fair equals fun from HA to the Mundane so go with what you wish and should someone choose to chastise you dont sweat it continue to have fun and if it screws up thier day that is thier problem not yours. As an individual I prefer period polite, As a fair owner my only restrictions are placed upon my cast members. If you pay to come through my gates I have absalutely no business to tell you what to wear.

[Merlin the Elder]

With my job at fair I have to take a line being HA and being able to do the job-working in AZ some accomodations have to be made or else we drop from the heat

And they didn't have heat in the Renaissance?  The Turkish and the Italians did and they certainly got by.   Wearing a full Elizabethan is idiotic but wearing a hand sewn linen chemise, linen pants, and a linen "Turkish" coat is quite nice in the heat.  I've done it (95F plus 90%~ humidity).  I'm not saying you need to be perfect but I've gotten tired of the excuse "I need to work so I can't be H/A" because it's not like people didn't work each and every day in the middle ages/renaissance in that clothing as well. 

There is quite a difference between living in the Renaissance era and being acclimated to the climate, and living in the modern world and trying to recreate the feel in heat we aren't acclimated to. If you are able to do it and not have a problem with it, you are a rare exception. It was also typical that during the heat of the day that workers in the more arid areas would use that time for rest. That is not a luxury that those who work at faires have.

For good or bad, people in this country cannot handle certain things that was common in the Renaissance period. Besides the temperatures, most people can't handle some of the bacteria and other "bugs" that had little or no effect on people in those centuries. It's not an excuse, Isabella...it's simply reality.

[Captain Teague]

Merlin, you and I think alike so much it's almost scary. 

People then had NO A/C at all, were born in the heat,grew up and lived and worked in the heat 24/7. Obviously much more acclimated than anyone nowadays ever would be.