I have worked at the Texas renaissance festival for the last three years... I know when something is "period" and when something is not. I have had a few incidents when attending other faires as a patron. These incidents involved my costumes not being entirely "period" and also involved several rather snooty "playtrons" to be very rude to me.
I am in a boat again that I fear will sink, and any words of wisdom to calm my nerves on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
I will be attending Dickon's on the Strand this Saturday. It is a festival that focuses on the Victorian era, rather than Renaissance. If I were to dress in my normal garb, do you think I would suffer much worse scorn then in the past?
This is a problem I run into when I'm costuming... I do something that makes me happy, but then I run into "purists" who would rather I not have dressed up at all.
Ignore them,
there are spoil sports in every walk of life, people who feel the need to share the misery that stains their own lives.
I say ignore them, but I'm a smartass so I would have a few choice colorful words with them if they actually had the gall to say something to me.
I say dress as you will and be damned with those who look down upon you, the only ones having a bad time is them.
I would say "It's a good thing I'm not dressing to please you." :P
I go to faire to have fun and I have no intention of ever bing HA. I certainly do not look forward to the day when someone thinks they can tell me how to dress. You will hear me up and down the lane.
Don't let those people get you down. <hugs> Go, have fun.
Goodness, I didn't realize DotS was literally around the corner. Go in whatever you like and have fun. Hmm - do they have a mulled wine vendor?
honestly? I don't know what kind of vendors they have, as I haven't been to this festival in almost ten years!
Thank you guys for the kind words. I was really worried... over something very silly. But with your support I'm feeling much more confident about my garb. :)
I think what matters is whether or not you want to be historically accurate. If you do, then try your hardest and try to take anything as constructive criticism. If you aren't then its their problem they aren't happy with what you're wearing. There will always be that one person who tries to ruin everyone elses fun...its a defensive response because they aren't happy. their loss not yours.
The important thing here is that you are a patron and pay to get through the door. If you were a part of the cast then that is different but as a patron if you want to dress up in a chicken outfit, its your privilege as long as whatever you wear does'nt break any laws. For those people who give you grief, they aren't worth your time so show them the hand cause the face ain't listening. Dress however you like and enjoy yourself. That is what faire is all about.
I think you know that I feel your pain for various reasons.... I don't think I even OWN an outfit that would be considered "Renaissance Period accurate". I enjoy going to the festival as Jack or in my steampunk garb.
Lucky for me I only had three people say anything rude this year at TRF. Two of them were snotty 13-15 year olds the other was a pickle vendor.. we were quick to point out that their weren't exactly giant pickles walking around in the renaissance era either.
ARRGGH I forgot about Dickens!! How could I?? and I call myself a steampunk fan... :( I sure hope I can rope together the time and money to go.
When I wanted to start Civil War reenacting it was hard finding a group that would accept a woman soldier. I received a lot of negative comments, the main one being NO!!!! I have been in a great group for the past three years. We have a ton of fun, I do my job, and I do it well. Every once and a while I get dirty looks. But you know what!? I am having a blast while they sit in their tents picking at button threads (too many, you know)! And while they insist on sleeping on the cold ground (because that is how it was done) I am nice and snug in my sleeping bag, on my air mattress, in, yes, a period correct tent. Now we have four female soldiers! ;)
It doesn't matter what you do in life; reenacting, cooking, driving, living; there will ALWAYS be someone with a negative comment. ::) Be happy! ;D
If you are not working and therefore not required to be in period costume, it is none of their business.
If you paid for your own ticket, then it is none of their business.
If they are strangers and just being bitchy, then it is definitely none of their business.
In my group (RPFS Court) we have actively discouraged our members from on-stage nit-picking of visitor costumes. However in general they will dispense advice if asked.
One thing to remember...NO ONE is 100% historically accurate!
How many people raise their own sheep, shear them, card the wool, weave the wool into fabric, dye it and then cut it out and hand sew their garment, hmmm?
Same goes for linen, which is even more labor intensive. Cotton was expensive and hard to come by in Europe. What about hose and shoes? Did they hand knit their own hose or sew it on the bias? Did they cure their own leather and hand sew their shoes? Etc. etc....
I imagine that those that created the event, while they might *hope* everyone comes in Dickens appropriate attire, know not everyone has such garb. Regardless of who you may meet on the streets, I'd bet the folks that actually created the event and invited you to come and play are just happy you came and want you to have a wonderful time. Your job as a "guest" is to add your festive spirit to the occasion. So bring your sense of play (I know you have one as I see ...fox eyes(?) in your avatar :)) and don't worry about what might be said. Have fun.
If they snipe at you, just look them in the eye and ask, "Is it Judgement Day already?!?" then ignore them for the rest of the day, unless they apologise to you, publicly.
Quote from: VIII on December 03, 2009, 10:32:29 AM
If they snipe at you, just look them in the eye and ask, "Is it Judgement Day already?!?" then ignore them for the rest of the day, unless they apologise to you, publicly.
Or smile your most charming smile and say, "Thank you so much for your unsolicited opinion". And walk away, leaving them sputtering. :D
Excellent point, Lady L!
"If I'm dressing this way to please you, you better be buying me dinner."
YES!
"If you are so offended, then feel free to run over there (points to nearest merchant) and by me all new garb."
I am afraid to admit, I really don't agree with everyone here ...
I think if one attends a period event in garb, they should either try to garb the period, or come in mundanes. Fairies, barbarians and GaP pyrates have become part of the accepted period for Ren Faire wear, but Medieval, Renaissance or the 3 listed above really don't "fit" the Victorian era, which is what Dickens is shooting for ...
If I showed up at a Civil War re-enactment dressed as a pirate wench, I would expect a few comments. Personally, that expectation is enough for me to leave that period garb at home ...
That opinion shared, it is just my opinion, and I would not share it unless I felt it was asked about.
If you are comfortable to go to Dickens in Ren Garb, then do it. And if someone feels the need to snark about your choice of attire, then to hell with them. I wouldn't let a fairy flitting around Dickens ruin my day, nor if a wench or a pirate showed up.
Betty, No worries! everyone is entitled to get out their point of view and yours is valid.
I, as a Capt'n Jack impersonator would be lynched if I went to a pirate reenactment of any sort... so I dont and never would go to a serious re-enactment as a movie pirate however, when it comes to festivals that are open to the public to dress up you are no longer a strict re-enactment (Otherwise we wouldn't have a lot of the fine attendees that we have at TRF and other festivals in the area)
When it comes to Dickens I plan to go in Steampunk garb which IS victorian but, 'with a twist' but, I certainly wouldn't blink at going as Jack either... I'm just not gonna.. ;D
but, I respect your point of view and most esspecially that you don't let little things ruin your good time
One of the problems w/Victoriana is that fashion-wise it covers a lot of territory, from bustles, to the "natural" look, to bustles again, and on to the Belle Epoque of the late 1890's and where steam punk tends to be based. I have some garb that is fine for the Belle Epoque, but would be "off" for the Dickens time frame; however, if I wanted to go in my admittedly off decade garb, then I would attend in such.
Thinking about it, though, if you replaced your chemise w/a high necked or librariarn/pussycat style blouse and added a prim little jacket and tiny hat you could probably modify your regular renwear to a somewhat Victorian style. Do you have a hoop skirt?
Go and have fun.
Something that I would need to consider before going to an event dressed in another era's garb: If I knew that I was going to get stared at and maybe had remarks made to me about "inappropriate" garb, I would really have to really think whether I'd be too uncomfortable about that to enjoy myself.
Personally, I probably wouldn't do it, because I know that I wouldn't be happy in that situation, and would spend more time worrying about it than enjoying myself. That's just me. But if it doesn't bother you, then I'd say go for it.
Nobody is going to challenge any garb at Dickens on the Strand!
People pick and choose styles from the 1830's through 1900, and not just England! You'll see all kinds of stuff there, Dickens characters, Pirates (the first settlers on Galveston) , Sweeny Todd, cowboys and saloon girls, Civil war and European soldiers, Santa Claus and Elves, you name it! Some people put a lot of money and effort into their garb, but most don't sweat it, just mix up something that looks "1890s" and go with it.
Look at this motley crew;
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/olmark/dickens2008025.jpg)
Sandy on the left, is wearing one of her renfair skirts, a vest from her closet, and a white blouse she sewed some lace on the night before. My wife, on the right , is recycling a bridesmaids dress, she put some festive trim on it and made a cape and underskirt out of some red and green fabric. the hat is a kid's Easter hat from Walmart, I painted it black with a rattle can.
Just like with faire, it's more fun if you participate by dressing up, the people of Galveston are happy to see you, and you'll get in for half price.
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/olmark/dickens2008042.jpg)
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/olmark/dickens2008128.jpg)
http://www.galvestonhistory.org/Dickens_Photo_Gallery/index.html
Or you could come as the King!
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/olmark/dickens_2008_170.jpg)
edit...
Almost forgot, R/F Meetup at the 2 o'clock Rogues show, Windsor Castle Stage, near 22nd & Strand 2:00 PM.
Thanks for the info, Zardoz. To paraphrase the old commercial, things go better with garb - as long as you're having a good time.
Ya know if you feel pretty and you are comforable wear what you want to wear who cares what others say.
Thats my view on things so have fun and take lotsa pictures!
LOL, have any of these snooty playtrons ever been to a Ren Faire??? I mean, just at TRF alone there's so much anachronistic garb around its ridiculous. you'd go crazy trying to sort out the periods....I mean, Scottish kilt wearing Imperial Stormtroopers?? Capt. Kirks, Musketeers!!!
I mean, during German weekend there was a guy dressed up as Nazi SS Officer.......
When attending as a patron to any dress up event, especially in a ren faire-esque environment, I think its all about the fun of it. You can be a period as you want or un-period as you want I figure as long as you're not wearing something incredibly offensive or too terribly indecent....
If I may relate this indelicate story to all, feel free to use it as you will.
There were 3 southern ladies in the maternity ward at a hospital. They had all had their infants and at around nursing time the 3 were together and started to discuss what their husbands had given them on there wedding day. It was obvious to anyone looking in that 2 of the ladies were rather well to do while the 3rd was rather plain.
The first lady said her husband had given her a mink coat, and the third lady said (in her best southern accent) "that's nice, that's very very nice"
The second lady said her husband took her on an around the world cruise, and the third lady again said "that's nice, that's very very nice"
The two ladies than asked the 3rd lady what she had gotten. She smiled very sweetly and said that her husband had sent her to charm school, whereby the first 2 ladies scoffed at her and "Charm School????".
The 3rd lady then explaind that before she went to charm school, whenever anyone said something offensive to her she would simply say F... You, whereas now she simply says "that's nice, that's very very nice".
Another handy Southernism- "Bless your heart" ;)
A little girl at Lowe's today was wearing a Snow White costume (today is December 5...). ;D
Go, Snow White! & Huzzah to the parental unit for letting her express herself!
I've heard of more then just a few people going to Dickens in their faire garb.....but i've never been to dickens, (sad, as I live so close....)so I dunno..
Well, not for anything, my re-enactment group has saying, you only need to create the illusion of an era. We are primarily a pirate group but once a year we are hired to do a Victorian Christmas celebration for at least 3 weeks. Since most of us do not have Victorian style clothes we try and find items that we already have that are simple and evoke the feel of a victorian event. Case in point I wear my black snood, a black and white floral high neck shirt that I close at the collor with a brooch, my black ren skirt and black lace-up irish overdress that I lace from the inside(don't ask it involves teeth and very nimble fingers.) and tuck in the laces. Over this I wear my black hooded cloak, black leather gloves and use my old black muff from when I was a kid. When asked I am the widow of a sailor. The guys wear their black wool overcoats with wool fingerless gloves, top hats and long red scarfs.
Except for the 20th century, Fashions were all basicly variations on the same theme and could be mixed and match to work for different eras, especially for us ladies. Now if someone starts to snark you about what you are wearing just coolly look them up and down and in your best haughty voice say " Pardon me, but this is the absolute latest fashion from the Worth Fahsion house." Then toss your head and walk away!
Quote from: Zardoz on December 03, 2009, 05:53:46 PM
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/olmark/dickens2008042.jpg)
Wow, those pictures show quite a wide array of garb and costumes. Particularly the lady in Zardoz's 2nd picture, the one on the far left with red hair and leotards to match. It seems Ren Garb would not be so terribly out of place, certainly looks like all are welcome. LOVE the Elvis. Oh my, if The King is comfortable, then so should a Ren Lady.
I hope you have a wonderful time however you dress, and I hope no one is snarky!!!
Quote from: Dinobabe on December 05, 2009, 07:24:04 PM
A little girl at Lowe's today was wearing a Snow White costume (today is December 5...). ;D
Little girls in Disney costumes always get a reverence! (We get quite a few considering our closeness do Disneyland...
I dont mean to thread jack but..
I rememeber a little girl that came to my shop at faire a few years ago, she was in a disney princess dress. Her mom told me that she refused to wear normal cloths it had to be a princess dress for almost a year! Mom went on to say that shes only little once why make a big deal out of it.
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