Snarked and Snarking~ How do you handle this?

[mieljolie]

I'm am EXTREMELY guilty of not being HA at faire and can't say I've heard anyone snark me.  (Not that I care the least)  I was actually really surprised at the responses we got on our "can tab" outfits.  Even from employees of the faire.  I actually expected to get some mean comments, sneers or whispers, but nope.  Just compliments and lots of folks asking how we made them.  We had a blast!

My man won't garb.  He is Cambodian and says that in itself is not HA at faire.  Haha  That is his choice, though.  I tell him, "Good, than you can carry the camera and haggle with the shop keepers.  Then,at least you'll fit with the stereotypical asian persona.  Hmph"    I feel we have more fun at least attempting to dress up.  Like someone said, if you don't "you not in on the joke".

I'd love to work toward a more HA garb.  But, like many of you have said, we just can't afford HA.  Even at the $100 range, at this point.  Furthermore, I know very little about historic dress to invest that much in correct fabric.  And, to make things worse for me, our sewing machine is crapping out on me.  But, my mom, daughter and I all wanted to dress up last year.  So, that is how I started creating things out of can tabs of all things.  They have to be the farthest thing from accurate!  But, I know this.  I'm doing it because it is fun to dress up for faire.  Honestly, hearing all the comments others here have endured make it harder fo me to want to attempt anything even close to HA for fear of horrible failure.  For now, I'm sticking to my historically-inspired-modern-upcycled-cantab-fantasy-creations.    Besides, they are wonderfully comfortable.  It's all in fun. 

I loved this statement:

And I'm probably going to be "Virtually Kicked" for what I'm about to say.
I make garb.  I'm an artist.  My medium may be wools, linen, silk, and thread, but I'm an artist just the same.  And you know what happens when you exhibit your art?  You are going to meet people who like it, and people who don't.  That is the thing about art...not everyone agrees with your choices.  And outspoken people are going to tell you so.  The only thing you can do, is know why you made the choices you did, and suck it up, and know you are in good company.

I'm not sure what I do is "art", but have to enjoy putting it on display anyway.

"To each their own."

[Anna Iram]

I admit I love beautiful HA garb and I love to see it worn at faire. I also know that my garb is far far from HA....did I say far? I don't have the patterns or really the skill to make a HA ladies gown. Besides, I wear my garb because I want to convey the idea that my character is a Lady. Not a wench or a nun or a pirate. (Though I do have an ongoing pirate in the making). So to convey that I wear certain types of garb. That really is all the game is about to me. Like kids playing dressup. You put on a cape and you are superman and none of the other kids even question it, cause it's about make believe and having fun. If you were lucky enough to have a mom who could make a real superman outfut, well, cool! Hopefully you don't think that makes you a better superman than the kid with the garbage bag tied to his pajamas.

One more story. (I'm a chatty Cathy this morning). I was at faire this past Labor Day. Now I usually wear a simple gathered Chemise with my "Ladies" gown. I decided I wanted to change up my look and enter the world of partlets. I understand a real lady of the period would wear that type of "shirt". Well I waited too late to decided to buy one and discovered that all the sites tht sold them required a month or longer to fill the order, so I just found a shirt I thought would work and made some modifications to it. I liked it. It was pretty. Not Ha at all. So what.  I had the idea when I got to faire I'd buy a proper one. Well I went to a well know shop and was shown one (70$ yikes!) My knockoff cost 12$. So as I'm looking at it and considering the pros and cons the shop keeper said, (looking a bit pointedly at my own, ) well, this partlet has the proper shape.  True. I suppose it did, but it was also a full blouse,( weren't they usually sleeveless?) so how is that any more proper than what I was wearing? I smiled and thanked him and vowed to spend my money elsewhere. HA! (Bought the cutest little  probably not HA hat ever. HA! HA! Mr. partlet man.

[Carl Heinz]

The only person I need be concerned about is the head of the Costume Dept.  As long as she's happy and signs of ye olded reckoning card, that's all that matters.

Strangely enough, Sparky (faire name Lightning) the scooter horse has never been snarked--at least in my hearing.

I wear Birkie London's because they support the weight and I've never had a stone bruise while wearing them.  They are obviously right and left foot, but they're ok with Costuming.

The other side is that I don't snark the garb of others.  I sometimes find it amusing and frequently find it wonderful.  Folks have made an effort.  Whether it's period (HA) isn't my concern.  If someone has gone to the effort, they'll probably return.

The only time I'll discuss garb is when asked by another participant, or by someone who wishes to become one.  But I need to keep in mind that it's Costuming, not me, who needs to be satisfied and I'll generally refer them there.

Repeat my main theme--our job is to entertain.  We've done our job when patrons/playtrons want to come back.  If we can throw in a little education, so much the better.  Just don't do it at the cost of driving folks away.

Of course, I'm talking solely from the Faire side.  I've never belonged to the SCA although I've visted friends at Estrella in the past.

[Merry]

 Snarking to me is dissing someone elses garb/street clothes/whatever.  It's never ok, it's always rude.  If the snarker doesn't like what they see...look the other way.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Also, has I have said again and again, snarking has nothing to do whether it's "historical" or not.  It has to do with whether or not it looks decent/good/sane.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  What looks good to you may look horrid to me, and vice versa.  That doesn't mean that either of us should judge the other person.

The only time I feel that comments should be made -- or thought about -- someone else's garb is when the wearer of the garb asks for suggestions.  And then, the comments should be done thoughtfully and constructively.

All of us here on this forum love faire.  Or else we wouldn't be here.  But we are inclusive, not exclusive.  It's always great to get more and more people addicted to what we like!  But we all had to start somewhere.  And if a newbie hears, or even perceives, that they are being snarked, well it shows all of us in a really bad light.  And that ain't us.  Right?