Basic garb for a girl

[NeutralAngel]

Ladies, I need your help. In about a month I will be going to the Fishers Renaissance Faire in Indiana, and one of my friends has agreed to go with me. We all know that she will have much more fun in garb, and she has said that she would enjoy dressing, but has nothing to wear.

I would like to order her something online, but am a bit intimidated. Here is what would meet my requirements.

• Peasant to lower middle class
• Forgiving if I don't get the size just perfect
• Plain enough that we can add additional pieces from vendors at the faire to personalize it for her
• Ability to adjust layers for warmer or cooler weather
• Comfortable

Any suggestions on how to start my search would be just wonderful! If it helps, she is about 5'4" and another friend of ours suggested that she is probably about a size 6.

Thanks!

Nathan

[sealion]

Ebay would be a good place to look for an inexpensive chemise and skirt. These are generally one-size-fits-all with elastic or drawstrings. She can wear these things with some flat shoes then shop for a bodice and whatever accessories she would like to personalize her ensemble at the faire. She could get a bodice from ebay as well but I recommend buying at the faire so she can try it on first. On the other hand, she could go to the faire in her jeans and t-shirt and just buy everything there depending on what the vendors have to offer.

[Lady Amy of York]

 I would suggest a simple peasant style blouse,  and a simple drawstring ( cause that way she can adjust it to her size ) peasant  skirt.   Then when you go to faire you can let her shop for a bodice to fit her, and a cute headwear piece.
  Or she can go in everyday clothes  and either rent a custume  at the faire  and see if she likes going dressed up, or let her buy something   at the faire  that she can try on, and that she likes and feels  comfortable in.

[isabelladangelo]

Going off of what sealion said:

A simple chemise is pretty easy to find on both ebay and etsy.   I'd go with drawstrings at the neck and wrists rather than elastic since drawstrings are far more easy to replace down the road.  Also, elastic tends to cut into the skin sometimes and drawstrings can be loosened or tightened as necessary.

A simple plain colored skirt that comes to the ankles or floor is also a good thing to have.   

Both items are very easy to make as well.   You can both work on making the chemise one weekend and the skirt the next.   I think there was a thread at some point with the "Easy Italian Chemise"...

[jett69]

I know that a place that I have been is www.renaissancewardrobe.com They are going to be at the Fishers Renaissance Faire also. Jeff