RenaissanceFestival.com Forums

Faire Garb => Garbing => Topic started by: cincivulcan on July 03, 2011, 07:09:25 PM

Title: Tails?
Post by: cincivulcan on July 03, 2011, 07:09:25 PM
I have a new costume thats kind of piratey... and I'm thinking about getting a tail for it. Are the tails too... noobish?... for lack of a better word :) I'm on the fence about liking them... but I think it would really make the costume look nice. What's your oppinion on tails?
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: redkimba on July 03, 2011, 08:20:41 PM
There's a thread on fox tails here:  http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=7057.0

It's mostly on "why do folks wear them", but the opinions are there.  :)    I think they're silly but if you think it will go with your outfit/garb/dress - go for it!
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: isabelladangelo on July 03, 2011, 10:26:12 PM
So you know that guy out there on the street corner who mutters to himself and argues with himself that you completely try to avoid?   

http://www.louvre.fr/llv/oeuvres/detail_notice.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673226427&CURRENT_LLV_NOTICE%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673226427&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=9852723696500812&baseIndex=115&bmLocale=en (http://www.louvre.fr/llv/oeuvres/detail_notice.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673226427&CURRENT_LLV_NOTICE%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673226427&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=9852723696500812&baseIndex=115&bmLocale=en)

That's who wore tails in the Renaissance.   Just sayin'.
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: NoBill Lurker on July 03, 2011, 11:08:28 PM
If you want to wear a tail, wear a tail!  ;) ;D
I have 2 myself, one's a 4ft. chestnut horse tail and the other ones a black fox tail (I got it to wear with my new garb).
At my faire there's a dozen or more women that wear at least one or more. And some are pirates.

And remember that if you're not on cast you can wear what ever you like as long as it's legal...It's Faire after all so have FUN !!!
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Bonny Pearl on July 04, 2011, 10:52:53 AM
If I understand it correctly tails are now worn as more of a representation of the furs worn in that time.  Our faire is too darn hot to be in furs until very late in the season.  I read that fur was not only worn for warmth, mark of status, wealth, etc., but it was also believed the little biting vermin would be attracted to the hide and not your skin.

I wear a tail and love it!  There is sort of a new boom of tail styles coming out lately as well.  Some styles remind me of what you might wear if you were attending a masquerade event, etc.

Like NoBill said, if you want to wear a tail, wear a tail!  ;D  We see a lot of them at TRF, which I believe you posted you will be attending for the first time, yes?  If you wear one at TRF, you won't feel out of place at all.  :)
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: cincivulcan on July 04, 2011, 05:19:30 PM
^.^ thanks guys. It's def. something to think about. I was actually thinking about the black fox tail. Tails are extremely popular in Ohio. And about Texas... I've been planning on cool outfits and how to keep myself from passing out :) Tomorrow marks 99 more days... and I can't even begin to express how excited I am!!!
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Bonny Pearl on July 05, 2011, 06:26:35 PM
Quote from: cincivulcan on July 04, 2011, 05:19:30 PM
^.^ thanks guys. It's def. something to think about. I was actually thinking about the black fox tail. Tails are extremely popular in Ohio. And about Texas... I've been planning on cool outfits and how to keep myself from passing out :) Tomorrow marks 99 more days... and I can't even begin to express how excited I am!!!

Which weekend do you plan to be visiting?

Have fun with your garb!  You will see a broad mix of outfits at TRF; noble, wench, pirate, belly dance, gypsy, barbarian, scots, clergy, fairies, etc., and even some steampunk.  There is a photo thread for each year under the faire page here on R/F, might have to dig a bit for the past years.
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: cincivulcan on July 06, 2011, 08:46:59 AM
1001 Dreams. 98 more days :)
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: DonaCatalina on July 06, 2011, 08:53:06 AM
Quote from: isabelladangelo on July 03, 2011, 10:26:12 PM
So you know that guy out there on the street corner who mutters to himself and argues with himself that you completely try to avoid?  


oh no! Foul Ol' Ron? (http://wiki.lspace.org/wiki/Foul_Ole_Ron)
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Rowan MacD on July 06, 2011, 10:09:35 AM
Quote from: redkimba on July 03, 2011, 08:20:41 PM
  I think they're silly but if you think it will go with your outfit/garb/dress - go for it!

That's exactly why I wear them.  They are silly and fun, and mundanes ask questions every time.  It's a great ice breaker.
 
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Muffin on July 06, 2011, 12:08:00 PM
Quote from: Rowen MacD on July 06, 2011, 10:09:35 AM
Quote from: redkimba on July 03, 2011, 08:20:41 PM
  I think they're silly but if you think it will go with your outfit/garb/dress - go for it!

That's exactly why I wear them.  They are silly and fun, and mundanes ask questions every time.  It's a great ice breaker.
 

Absolutely!! Tails are fun!! I am a beer wench at MNRF and it's always great fun when customers ask about the tail, and I can respond with "Well, everyone likes a little tail with their beer"  :D  ;)
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Welsh Wench on July 06, 2011, 12:25:50 PM
Quote from: NoBill Lurker on July 03, 2011, 11:08:28 PM
At my faire there's a dozen or more women that wear at least one or more. And some are pirates.


;)

Have one. Wear one. Love mine.
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Rowan MacD on July 06, 2011, 12:36:27 PM
Quote from: Muffin on July 06, 2011, 12:08:00 PM
Quote from: Rowen MacD on July 06, 2011, 10:09:35 AM
Quote from: redkimba on July 03, 2011, 08:20:41 PM
 I think they're silly but if you think it will go with your outfit/garb/dress - go for it!

That's exactly why I wear them.  They are silly and fun, and mundanes ask questions every time.  It's a great ice breaker.
 

Absolutely!! Tails are fun!! I am a beer wench at MNRF and it's always great fun when customers ask about the tail, and I can respond with "Well, everyone likes a little tail with their beer"  :D  ;)

I vote we have everybody tell tail stories:  
 What do you tell folks who ask about your tail? Personally I vary the story, inventing some right on the spot ^_^ .    Ladies (and some guys) Post your favorite reasons/meaning for sporting a tail.  I need some new stories.....LOL.


Edit:  "Tail?  What tail?"    and   "Oh those pirates....Were they playing pin the tail on the wench again?!"
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Zaubon on July 06, 2011, 01:47:34 PM
Quote from: DonaCatalina on July 06, 2011, 08:53:06 AM
Quote from: isabelladangelo on July 03, 2011, 10:26:12 PM
So you know that guy out there on the street corner who mutters to himself and argues with himself that you completely try to avoid?  


oh no! Foul Ol' Ron? (http://wiki.lspace.org/wiki/Foul_Ole_Ron)
Buggerit! Millenium hand and shrimp.
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: DonaCatalina on July 06, 2011, 02:52:01 PM
Quote from: Zaubon on July 06, 2011, 01:47:34 PM
Quote from: DonaCatalina on July 06, 2011, 08:53:06 AM
Quote from: isabelladangelo on July 03, 2011, 10:26:12 PM
So you know that guy out there on the street corner who mutters to himself and argues with himself that you completely try to avoid?  


oh no! Foul Ol' Ron? (http://wiki.lspace.org/wiki/Foul_Ole_Ron)
Buggerit! Millenium hand and shrimp.
ROFLMAO!
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Lady Mac on July 06, 2011, 04:15:40 PM
Adding to what Bonny said earlier; anyone heard the term "flea fur?" A piece of fur was worn
to attract fleas and lice to keep them off or away from the body.
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: The Lady Mercedes on July 06, 2011, 07:25:25 PM
I have one because I saw people wearing them & while I didn't get it, I figured they were part of the whole thing so I got one. I happen to like wearing it! The thing that gets me is I've also seen people wearing one mundanely...why?! ???
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Lady Rosaline on July 06, 2011, 09:33:20 PM
I have been wearing tails for years. I love mine and have quite the collection of them. I have been asked many times why I wear them and the answer is simply I like them. Though I usually come up with some witty answer depending on who is asking. ;)
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: jeremiah sullivan on July 06, 2011, 10:58:57 PM
EVERY GOOD LOOKIN WOMAN NEEDS A LITTLE TAIL
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: DonaCatalina on July 07, 2011, 04:45:29 AM
Actually Scarborough has a vetted merchant contract so that they don't end up with too many merchants selling the same thing. I have it direct from marketing that the merchant in question had not submitted a request to sell tails. There are still other merchants at Scarborough who will be selling tails, just not the one who decided unilaterally to add tails to the merchandise lineup.
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Muffin on July 07, 2011, 08:04:46 AM
Quote from: Lady Mac on July 06, 2011, 04:15:40 PM
Adding to what Bonny said earlier; anyone heard the term "flea fur?" A piece of fur was worn
to attract fleas and lice to keep them off or away from the body.

I've used this as an explanation too when people ask "why do you have a tail".. I don't know for sure if it is actually true that they were used as flea catchers, but I always end the conversation with "and they are fun!"  ;)
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: redkimba on July 07, 2011, 08:45:49 AM
Quote from: jeremiah sullivan on July 06, 2011, 10:58:57 PM
EVERY GOOD LOOKIN WOMAN NEEDS A LITTLE TAIL
note to self - do not read board while drinking hot tea.  ::mops off monitor::
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Rowan MacD on July 07, 2011, 09:04:15 AM
Quote from: Lady Mac on July 06, 2011, 04:15:40 PM
Adding to what Bonny said earlier; anyone heard the term "flea fur?" A piece of fur was worn
to attract fleas and lice to keep them off or away from the body.
I have always thought of  'flea furs' and 'Tails' as two separate entities. 
  'Flea furs' or 'Zebellini' (those decorated pelts hanging form a Lady's girdle) are an historically accurate accessory, while tails are just worn for fun, or at best to gently ape the Noble's garb.
  You might see Tails in every color of the rainbow (and some impossible ones) but I have yet to see Zibellini in any color but natural critter, and some are gorgeous works of art. 
  from wiki:
  "The traditional costume historian's term for this accessory, flea-fur, is from the German Flohpelz, coined by Wendelin Boeheim in 1894, who was the first to suggest that the furs were intended to attract fleas away from the body of the wearer.  There is no historical evidence to support this unlikely claim. Italians simply called these accessories "zibellini", their word for sables, and speakers of other languages called them "martens", "sables" or "ermines" in their native tongues.."
   
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: isabelladangelo on July 07, 2011, 10:33:54 AM
Quote from: Lady Mac on July 06, 2011, 04:15:40 PM
Adding to what Bonny said earlier; anyone heard the term "flea fur?" A piece of fur was worn
to attract fleas and lice to keep them off or away from the body.

Sorry, but it's actually a Renn Fairism -to a point.  The actual zebellini were an entire animal -not just the tail- that were heavily decorated.   http://katerina.purplefiles.net/FlorenceFiles/FLAccessoriesZEBELLINI.html

Having just the tail on you meant you were truly insane (hospital worthy) -as in the case of my first post here. 
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Adriana Rose on July 07, 2011, 10:53:47 AM
that is full of geed info!

And is it just me or does the recreation look like a pomeranian?
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: gem on July 07, 2011, 11:44:53 AM
Fleas eat blood. They know the difference between something dead like a shock of fur, and something living, like a nice warm human body.
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Rowan MacD on July 07, 2011, 12:26:14 PM
Quote from: gem on July 07, 2011, 11:44:53 AM
Fleas eat blood. They know the difference between something dead like a shock of fur, and something living, like a nice warm human body.
True :) any fleas in a 'Flea-fur' would just be waiting to make the jump to a new host.. Ick.
 
  I wonder if the Zebellini are related in any way to sables and ermines that were are part of a rich nobles' wardrobe in the Renaissance, or if they are the same thing?

  I was always under the impression that 'sables' were fur pieces designed to be pinned to the over sleeves during the winter.  Henry VIII gifted Catherine Howard with 'sables' that belonged to a previous queen, and I don't think they were meant to be reworked into other garments, but were seperate add-ons.   The wiki article said that Zebellini were  also called 'ermines' or 'sables'.....
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Rowan MacD on July 07, 2011, 12:41:49 PM
Quote from: Adriana Rose on July 07, 2011, 10:53:47 AM
that is full of geed info!

And is it just me or does the recreation look like a pomeranian?
It's does...Kinda creepy.   :o  I think I like the metal heads much better.


Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: LadyAsh on July 07, 2011, 02:11:25 PM
lol my mom and my uncle's girlfriend asked about the tails when we went to faire. I told her "it's a rennie thing, you wouldn't understand."

Unfortunately, they do not like the tails. I love them though, and think they're cute!
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: LAVAGODDESSSS on August 30, 2011, 12:30:43 AM
Quote from: Bonny Pearl on July 04, 2011, 10:52:53 AM
 There is sort of a new boom of tail styles coming out lately as well.  Some styles remind me of what you might wear if you were attending a masquerade event, etc.


Hey, can you explain this? :D
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Alexandra Johanna on August 30, 2011, 01:15:04 AM
I've seen tails lately advertised on ren faire sites that are made of feather boas. Those seem a bit more mardi gras to me than ren faire, but if someone can make that work creatively, than more power to them.

I have a fur tail that I will be wearing for the first time next weekend with my general wench-of-the-woodlands outfit. Its just for fun and because I do so love fur!
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Bonny Pearl on August 30, 2011, 11:38:37 AM
Quote from: LAVAGODDESSSS on August 30, 2011, 12:30:43 AM
Quote from: Bonny Pearl on July 04, 2011, 10:52:53 AM
 There is sort of a new boom of tail styles coming out lately as well.  Some styles remind me of what you might wear if you were attending a masquerade event, etc.


Hey, can you explain this? :D

Oh that's right you are getting ready for a Masquerade Ball!  :D  I have seen tails that are black/white like a Lemur, some folks have horse tails, etc. Pretty much any animal that has a long tail seems to be a go now lol.
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: StilettoWolf on May 28, 2013, 02:30:02 AM
The rumors around here is that...the more..ahem...promiscuous playtrons wear them.

But man would I look cute with a pretty red fox tail.
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: isabelladangelo on May 28, 2013, 06:05:45 AM
Hi and welcome to the forums.  Please be away that the thread is two years old. 

That being said, here's what tails meant in period It meant you were a fool (http://historicmyths.wordpress.com/2011/05/17/myth-1-the-cautionary-tale-of-fox-tails/)
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: DonaCatalina on May 29, 2013, 05:05:53 AM
Quote from: StilettoWolf on May 28, 2013, 02:30:02 AM
The rumors around here is that...the more..ahem...promiscuous playtrons wear them.

But man would I look cute with a pretty red fox tail.

LOL. No. A lot of people who wear them have them confused with Zibellinis, or they just want to drive the H/A people crazy.
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Serenity on May 29, 2013, 08:57:24 AM
Quote from: DonaCatalina on May 29, 2013, 05:05:53 AM
Quote from: StilettoWolf on May 28, 2013, 02:30:02 AM
The rumors around here is that...the more..ahem...promiscuous playtrons wear them.

But man would I look cute with a pretty red fox tail.

LOL. No. A lot of people who wear them have them confused with Zibellinis, or they just want to drive the H/A people crazy.

Honestly, this is why I wear them sometimes - just for fun :)  I love pettables, and it does drive the HA freaks crazy  hehehe
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: isabelladangelo on May 29, 2013, 11:49:41 AM
Quote from: Serenity on May 29, 2013, 08:57:24 AM
Quote from: DonaCatalina on May 29, 2013, 05:05:53 AM
Quote from: StilettoWolf on May 28, 2013, 02:30:02 AM
The rumors around here is that...the more..ahem...promiscuous playtrons wear them.

But man would I look cute with a pretty red fox tail.

LOL. No. A lot of people who wear them have them confused with Zibellinis, or they just want to drive the H/A people crazy.

Honestly, this is why I wear them sometimes - just for fun :)  I love pettables, and it does drive the HA freaks crazy  hehehe

Of the many things I am, a freak is not one of them.  To me, when an individual wears a tail, I see this:

(http://historicmyths.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/pieter_bruegel_the_elder_-_the_cripples.jpg)
It's a painting from the 16th C.  One of the two in which people are shown wearing tails in period.  The other one isn't nice either.   It's the equivalent of wearing a tin hat and muttering "What's the frequency, Kenneth?" today. 

If you want to wear one, no one can stop you.  However, it's good to know how others view them and not assume that just because some of us actually want to see the Renaissance in a Renaissance festival that we are "freaks".   It's about putting context to a cultural ideal in a temporal domain.  If the year is supposed to be 15 hundred and something, then we should understand the considerations of that time and attempt to understand their world view. 
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Trillium on May 30, 2013, 10:22:25 AM
Quote from: Serenity on May 29, 2013, 08:57:24 AM
Honestly, this is why I wear them sometimes - just for fun :)  I love pettables, and it does drive the HA freaks crazy  hehehe

Lets play nice please.  I know you were joking around but lets not have name-calling.  Most people don't like to be called a freak...
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Rowan MacD on May 30, 2013, 12:08:41 PM
   Most of the tail wearing crowd doesn't care about looking HA anyway, so tails fit right in with the 18th century corsets, short skirts, flip-flops and sneakers, pirates, and the rest of the Renn-ish fantasy wear. 
   I have honestly never seen them worn by anyone trying to be the least bit HA, so I have no issue with them at all.   I only wore them when I dressed as a wench (I still do on occasion) which, I will admit is also non-HA. 
   Personally,  I don't care if somebody wants to wear a tail.  They are a fun accessory, like faun horns and fairy wings, and if it gives you joy you should wear them!
 
   Just don't expect anyone except Garb Nazi's to care, and most of them are in pursuit of the folks they think are actually trying to be HA,  leaving the fun-wear crowd alone.  Doubtful that you will drive any of those folks crazy.
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Aderin on June 05, 2013, 03:56:48 PM
Have fun and don't worry about "noobness!" Worry about having a good time :)
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Stuben on June 05, 2013, 08:17:43 PM
I like Tall tales better than short fuzzy ones  ;D

Stuben
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Serenity on June 11, 2013, 01:11:52 PM
You assume that "freak" is a bad thing.  Poor assumption, but your call.  And Garb Nazi is any better?  (Sorry to pick on you Rowan, but since I was called out, I want to know why your comment wasn't)
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Tazjia Swiftsail on July 02, 2013, 03:38:55 PM
I'm not concerned at all with historical accuracy, I like to make my garb into what I feel like is me! I have two fox tails. Though the animal lover in me feels extremely like an A-hole for buying them. Especially since I love foxes so much... I apologize to the foxes they came from every time I put them on. But anyway, if getting a tail makes you feel like YOU then do it up! Faire to me is almost like jumping into my favorite books as I am a fantasy nerd and like to feel like I am in Dragon Lance  ;)
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: Aderin on July 02, 2013, 08:59:11 PM
Quote from: Tazjia Swiftsail on July 02, 2013, 03:38:55 PM
I'm not concerned at all with historical accuracy, I like to make my garb into what I feel like is me! I have two fox tails. Though the animal lover in me feels extremely like an A-hole for buying them. Especially since I love foxes so much... I apologize to the foxes they came from every time I put them on. But anyway, if getting a tail makes you feel like YOU then do it up! Faire to me is almost like jumping into my favorite books as I am a fantasy nerd and like to feel like I am in Dragon Lance  ;)

Well said and wisely followed!
Title: Re: Tails?
Post by: mercy1 on September 13, 2015, 05:22:34 PM
I try not to wear real fur, and only resort to getting new feathers when my old ones are thread-bare. I like the faux furs, they clean up nice, and I know something pretty didn't die for me to wear it.

I think the thing that stopped me from wearing them, was the news item of China telling every one that some of their  product was fake fur, when it was really dog and cat fur.
The idea of wearing 'Max' or 'Oliver' on my butt is pretty horrible.   :'(