I have a general question. All of us who have worked faire have heard our clothing referred to by many different names. The most common is "Garb". My guild/group considers the word "Garb" a four letter word. We prefer the calling our faire clothing outfits which they actually are. I personally don't like to call them costumes because that usually describes the things patrons wear who come into the gate.
Does anyone else have any thoughts or pet peeves about this? Just wondering.
garb/gärb/
Verb: Dress in distinctive clothes: "garbed in shawls".
Noun: Clothing or dress, esp. of a distinctive or special kind.
I use the word Garb often in Ren references.
I have never liked the usage of costume. Dredges up visions of 10billioncostumesRus.com kinda stuff. ;)
I used to say "Costumes are for Halloween." But now I have changed that too. I guess on Halloween, "outfit" seems more precise for me.
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/darkknightwalking/HP16-1.jpg)
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/darkknightwalking/Dragon04Red.jpg)
In response to patron who remarks upon our "costumes" (imagine veddy proper, aristocratic British accent, delivered in a mild huff):
"M'Lady! These are NOT 'costumes'! This is our clothing!"
To me, 'garb' refers to Ren Faire/Con stuff. This is the stuff I've found, bought & reworked in order to put together a specific look. Its not something that can be found at Wal-Mart or Party City during Halloween. Its my 'creation' for lack of a better word. I don't want to look like everyone else. I like saying 'Oh I got the bodice from Morescas, the shirt from Ren Shirts & the skirts I picked up on eBay'.
One more quick story that I think illustrates garb vs costume: For about 6 months my DD has been whining/complaining that she didn't have pirate garb like the rest of the family. I could have picked up something pre-made online or in stores but I wanted unique. So I went to our local thrift store & shopped. For less than $20 she got a one of a kind pirate costume that she loves & can't wait to wear. She even has a few options so if its hot she can wear it one way or if its cold it can go another way. I can't call it a costume because there's too much 'in it' IMO. Its a one of a kind.
Garb is creative/costume is mass-market.
Well, let's define stuff;
cos·tume
Noun:
1. A style of dress, including garments, accessories, and hairstyle, especially as characteristic of a particular country, period, or people.
2. An outfit or a disguise worn on Mardi Gras, Halloween, or similar occasions.
3. A set of clothes appropriate for a particular occasion or season.
garb
Noun:
Clothing or dress, esp. of a distinctive or special kind.
So really it sounds like 'garb' is better than clothing, outfit or costume...
Really, I think it depends on your point of view, I refer to faire garb as 'garb' around the renfaire community, but at home I'll say "time to get out the renfaire outfits". If I'm at the Sci-Fi con and wear my Men In Black outfit, it's a costume, dressing up at cons is generally called 'costuming'.
But to the general public, any clothing that is outside of their experience is a 'costume'. They don't know where you're coming from, so you could be dressed as King Henry VIII, or Capt. Kirk, it's a costume to them. So I don't get upset at faire if a mundane says "nice costume", any more than I do when some one says it to me while I'm out running errands in a kilt, I just say thanks and move on.
I'm a historical costumer, though I started off by doing Ren stuff, so I still call that garb. To me, it just seems more normal for my Ren wear to be garb, though frankly, I more frequently refer to my "doublet gown" or "milkmaid look" than garb. As far as other eras, when not calling each outift by its name, I do refer to it as costume. Not necessarily a costume, though. But 17th century costume, or 18th century costume, for example. And when I do research, it is costume research.
I think there's a lot of difference when using "costume" with or without an article before it.
Most of the people I know and have been around in the SCA and the Faire community have a distinction between 'garb' and 'costume' that can't be found in a dictionary. The former is something made to withstand the rigors of daily wear as much as your mundane clothing is. Whereas the latter is a mockup that only passes for clothing in poor light and probably will be in seriously bad condition after one or maybe two wearings.
So no, the term 'garb' does not offend me. And when knowless mundanes use the term 'costume' I don't let that offend me either because I understand that they know not whereof they speak.
...and yes, I make all of the faire clothing that his lordship and I wear.
I usually just go with garb. There's something about the word "costume" that makes me think of bad plastic material. Either one is fine, but I usually end up going with the first one.
Quote from: DonaCatalina on June 03, 2011, 04:54:39 AM
...and yes, I make all of the faire clothing that his lordship and I wear.
And 'tis a wondrous job you do, DC!
Quote from: DonaCatalina on June 03, 2011, 04:54:39 AM
Most of the people I know and have been around in the SCA and the Faire community have a distinction between 'garb' and 'costume' that can't be found in a dictionary. The former is something made to withstand the rigors of daily wear as much as your mundane clothing is. Whereas the latter is a mockup that only passes for clothing in poor light and probably will be in seriously bad condition after one or maybe two wearings.
You're definition of "garb" is very similar to mine. Most of ren faire pieces are made to essentially be everyday clothing (which they are in August). I'm perfectly happy not changing into mundane clothing in the campground after a day in faire, and there are pictures of me cooking in my garb.
My definition of "costume", while similar, also encompasses pieces that are just worn for dress-up. It's not my Magenta garb, but my Magenta costume. To me a costume can be well made and constructed, and live up to many wearings, but are just worn for pretend or dress-up.
Where it gets hazy is with my Jedi clothing. I go back and fourth between garb and costume, since in the context of the Star Wars movies, it might be considered garb, however I may have used a costume solution to fix issues (clear plastic snaps to keep tabards up, paint instead of actual embroidery).
I use garb to refer to a subset of my wardrobe. Articles of clothing and accessories that can be worn in various combinations to create different outfits. Costumes to me are more like when you have a specific set of clothing articles used exclusively for one outfit. Like when you buy or make a costume of an anime character or something, with no intention of wearing the costume parts with anything else. For example I have a Sailor Jupiter costume. I do not and will not ever wear that dress or tiara with anything else, because its a costume...they go together and only together. Costumes also refer (to me) to stage costumes and movie costumes. An intentionally selected outfit for that character that cannot/will not be worn in any other arrangement. So even those of us Rennie with certain characters we like to portray who have pretty specific outfits, you make have a few shirt choices, or accessories you choose from...that is more like garb to me, because you are likely to wear that same bodice with totally different skirts and stuff to be a different style of character.
I do use the term "garb" to define my ren faire items, I am not a playtron nor a patron but, a ren faire enthusiast. The word "costume" is what I hear a lot from patrons. "Did you make your costume?" "Where did you buy your "costume"?"
I also think of the word "garb" as a derivation from word garment - this is just my personal take whether it is correct or not correct it's just the way I see things.
Because when I worked in couture sales in retail you never ever allowed to use the word "clothing", the word we were allowed to say was "garment or garments". Wedding dresses were not called "wedding dresses" but, "wedding gowns" and so forth.
My one pet peeve is when I'm out and about in perfectly mundane clothes, and someone calls what I'm wearing a "Scottish guy costume" because I happen to be wearing a kilt. So William Wallace wore an Iron Maiden tour shirt and black work boots with his kilt? Really? Can people not see the rest of me? ??? It annoys me because it underscores the complete lack of attention that people actually pay to one another.
people used to say to me, "Nice costume." My ex would always reply that's not a costume that's his everyday wear.
I agree that costume conjures up visions of thin polyester stuff you get at party city. And yes I will wear my garb/ren/pirate clothes out, especially the boots.
Jay Byrd
If someone is nice enough to make a comment about what I'm wearing, I couldn't care less what they call it. It doesn't bother me in the least whether it's garb, costume, outfit, clothing. They paid me a compliment, and I am honored that they shared their feelings with me. I smile and say thank you, and it makes my day! ;D
There is too much else in this world to worry about, and I'm at faire to have fun, not to obsess over what is the proper term for it.
Call it what you want, I'm wearing it because I like it and if you (generalization, not a specific person) like it too, thank you for your compliment. And if you don't like it and are snarky, I don't really care, because I like it and that's good enough for me! ;D
Here are my connotations:
Costume- Something that's usually made for a one time use. Often, not always, made from cheap products or uses shortcuts, indicative of a one time wear. This does not diminish the work on/of the piece, just better defines it's purpose.
Garb- Clothing made with specific intentions, usually having to do with a time period/location. Products used would be of at least good quality and workmanship. It would be expected to hold up well over multiple wearings though not required. A "costume" could still fall into this category, even if it is only actually worn once, when it is a quality piece. (I have Halloween "costumes" that I have only worn once but made them from quality products and so that they would hold up after years of use, in case I did wish to wear it again.)
Clothing/Garment- Clothing made with the specific intention of being worn, and holding up, on a daily basis (whether it actually does or not is another argument!). This would include jeans and a t-shirt, cast/shopkeep clothing, Civil War uniform, etc.
Renaissance Garb- Clothing made with the specific purpose of wearing to faire (or similar). It should be of good products and quality and should hold up even after abuse, though immense time and money could be put into a piece that is only worn once. The piece is defined by the passion of the participant rather than how often it is worn. (I may not spend much time wearing my (i.e.) bodice but it is very well made and should hold for years.)
This is where I differentiate between "us" and the faire visitors in the polyester princess gowns or the first timer's thrift store outfit. They have a costume or possibly garb. But the time, money, energy, passion, research, etc. places our "clothing" in a different category all together. So I don't think it fits any of the three typical definitions. The same could be said for Civil War clothing or other reenactor situations. It is such a unique situation that it needs it's own definition. This is just mine! ;D
With all of that said!
To each his own, I am not offended when someone asks about my "costume", I sometimes point out that it is not a costume but clothing, I know and love what I am wearing, and I appreciate when someone makes a positive comment. I think that this is really more of an internal thing for us than anything else. ;)
Quote from: Dinobabe on June 05, 2011, 06:38:41 PM
To each his own, I am not offended when someone asks about my "costume", I sometimes point out that it is not a costume but clothing, I know and love what I am wearing, and I appreciate when someone makes a positive comment. I think that this is really more of an internal thing for us than anything else. ;)
Quite right. But I saw a group of African women (speaking a language I had never heard) in the grocery store today. They were wearing what was obviously African clothing. I have to wonder- Those same people who call my kilt a costume... would they make the same comment to those women?
I'd definitely call it a costume if Spiderman walked in. I wouldn't personally call cultural dress a costume, although when it comes right down to it, technically, it is a costume according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. We've made the choice to differentiate to set us apart, I suppose.
The term/word "Garb" is one quickly and easily reconsidered fellow "Rennies", as each one of "Us" knows what the other is "talking about"~~~
The " 'danes " usually don't, won't, will not take the time to know nor care~ ~ ~ Therefore, It is our code word for "Ren-Fest-Wear" ~ ~ ~
A "costume" is what the danes will say we wear ~ ~ ~ ~
Just my "two cents" worth ~ ~ ~ ~
Quote from: Sir Michael Geare on June 02, 2011, 09:43:45 PM
I have a general question. All of us who have worked faire have heard our clothing referred to by many different names. The most common is "Garb". My guild/group considers the word "Garb" a four letter word. We prefer the calling our faire clothing outfits which they actually are. I personally don't like to call them costumes because that usually describes the things patrons wear who come into the gate.
Does anyone else have any thoughts or pet peeves about this? Just wondering.
Forgive me if I took something wrong, I'm a bit thick today.
But is it implied that since I'm not a member of cast that the well thought out, carefully crafted, highly detailed clothing choices my husband and I both wear to faire are considered costumes? I'm sorry, just because we do not work at ALL the faires we visit, and that's somewhere around 6 a year, we are considered to have Costumes on? Then by the same token, a Costume is worn by an Actor/actress, of which all those of you who Work these faires are.
My Garments are made to last many, many, many wearing. They are taken care of as well as if not better than my $400 suits and we have enough variety in our choices to blend in with many types of events from Fay events through Elizabethan, which is different than Henry VIII in some circles.
A costume to me is something a child wears through the gate that makes her a Disney Princess at the fair. If someone puts ANY kind of thought into what they wear through the gate to try and blend in, then they are in their Ren gear just like the rest of us (It might be all they can afford at the time, or just getting started) and I treat them as such. Sorry my son was a LARPer, Garb is Garb. Hey but this is just me an my opinion.
Whoa!! ;D I think the reference to patron is the key. I would NEVER call myself a patron, even though I pay for the same ticket as anyone else. I am a playtron, rennie, wannabe, etc. To me a patron is someone that comes just to briefly experience faire, they may show up in or rent some sort of "costume" but don't have the appreciation that "we" do for faire. That would be my interpretation, anyway.... :-*
Garb is what I wear to Faire. A costume is what I wear at a costume party or at Halloween.
Quote from: Lady Gryphon on June 10, 2011, 01:43:31 PM
Quote from: Sir Michael Geare on June 02, 2011, 09:43:45 PM
I have a general question. All of us who have worked faire have heard our clothing referred to by many different names. The most common is "Garb". My guild/group considers the word "Garb" a four letter word. We prefer the calling our faire clothing outfits which they actually are. I personally don't like to call them costumes because that usually describes the things patrons wear who come into the gate.
Does anyone else have any thoughts or pet peeves about this? Just wondering.
Forgive me if I took something wrong, I'm a bit thick today.
But is it implied that since I'm not a member of cast that the well thought out, carefully crafted, highly detailed clothing choices my husband and I both wear to faire are considered costumes? I'm sorry, just because we do not work at ALL the faires we visit, and that's somewhere around 6 a year, we are considered to have Costumes on? Then by the same token, a Costume is worn by an Actor/actress, of which all those of you who Work these faires are.
My Garments are made to last many, many, many wearing. They are taken care of as well as if not better than my $400 suits and we have enough variety in our choices to blend in with many types of events from Fay events through Elizabethan, which is different than Henry VIII in some circles.
A costume to me is something a child wears through the gate that makes her a Disney Princess at the fair. If someone puts ANY kind of thought into what they wear through the gate to try and blend in, then they are in their Ren gear just like the rest of us (It might be all they can afford at the time, or just getting started) and I treat them as such. Sorry my son was a LARPer, Garb is Garb. Hey but this is just me an my opinion.
Yes- I think that the original reference of patron was to visiting mundanes, not rennie or playtrons with a lot more experience of faire.
QuoteI personally don't like to call them costumes because that usually describes the things patrons wear who come into the gate.
I was wondering if any one else took some offence to the seemingly snotty and derisive comment that started this thread. I have been a patron for years... since 1978. I resemble and resent this opening remark.
As Lady Renee stated I couldn't care less what they call it, it makes no difference at all. Me, I call them clothes. Cause that's what they are. Specifically I call them as ren clothes, just for separation.
Hatter that is exactly what I was referring to in my post above. I took it rather snotty too. He's an Actor he's in a costume. Forgive me, if that's what I'm wearing, by his definition, as a person entering the festival or Faire, then he is definitely in a costume for that is what most actors on a stage wear. And the fair is nothing but a huge stage, and he auditioned for a part in this production.
I am wearing my gowns or my Pirate clothes. And more than once Lord Dragon and I have been mistake as part of the Faire Company not someone who just walked in off the parking lot. We work at our persona's. practice our bits we do for any child that asks about Nogard or Luna and show those not in period clothing a good time. That's what I feel part of dressing up is all about, becoming part of the show.
Again just my 2 pence worth and nothing more.
Quote from: BubbleWright on June 10, 2011, 10:36:39 PM
Garb is what I wear to Faire. A costume is what I wear at a costume party or at Halloween.
If you were to wear your garb to costume parties or at Halloween, is it a costume then? ???
My appologies to all if I offended anyone. It was not my intention to offend nor sound snobby. It was merely an inquiry as to how one address their wardrobe since I have heard many refer to it differently both in spite and never-mind.
I wouldn't worry about it too much, Sir Michael. Common use of the word "costume" has distanced itself from its actual meaning, and I think that is why some may object to applying the word to the clothing they wear to faire.
I find it interesting how words change their meaning over time... "bad" used to not be good, now it's great...unless it's not, then it's terrible, and we all get confused! :)
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on June 16, 2011, 12:12:48 PM
I wouldn't worry about it too much, Sir Michael. Common use of the word "costume" has distanced itself from its actual meaning, and I think that is why some may object to applying the word to the clothing they wear to faire.
I find it interesting how words change their meaning over time... "bad" used to not be good, now it's great...unless it's not, then it's terrible, and we all get confused! :)
And then there are words like "curse," which were once neutral. And let's not forget about "conspiracy." That's one loaded neutral word! While "costume" in it's original meaning is not derogatory, most people don't use it to mean what it actually means, and use it to imply that someone is playing dressup... which is exactly why I get bothered by it. It's usually accompanied by a sneer.
Yes, Nighthawk...precisely what I was saying. But it seems so silly to have to worry about the labels people put on things.
I'll use the term "garb" because it's the word in common use for the costumes (original meaning) of the Renaissance period that Rennies wear. I would never correct someone I do not know if they called the clothing a costume. Someone who is trying to develop themselves in the Rennie subculture, however, I would advise them to use the term "garb," if for no other reason than to keep them from angering those who do take exception to "costume." Whether I care about it or not, it is important to some people, and I'm more than happy to respect that.
Quote from: Zardoz on June 15, 2011, 06:25:52 PM
Quote from: BubbleWright on June 10, 2011, 10:36:39 PM
Garb is what I wear to Faire. A costume is what I wear at a costume party or at Halloween.
If you were to wear your garb to costume parties or at Halloween, is it a costume then? ???
That's a good point. I would not feel comfortable wearing my garb to costume parties at all, it would just feel wrong to me.
On a side note: In victorian times 'costume' meant a complete set of (usually women's) clothing and accessories; right down to the shoes and purses. It was not in common use, since mostly only the rich could afford 'costumes'.
Now days we have an entirely different definition of the word. :)
I agree there...it would not even occur to me to wear my garb to a Halloween function.
(especially after all that time that I put into the black spiderweb bustier ;D)
My 2 Cents is this: I wear a costume when I want to dress up and be somebody else, whether it be Betsy Ross or Diana Ross.... I wear my garb when I am ME, just in another place and time. It is my real clothes for ME.
I got a new beautiful pirate coat in early October and wouldn't have a chance to wear it till the next September! I wore it to a costume Halloween party my friend had. It was either that, or wear it to Wal-mart or class or something, it was so amazing and I just had to wear it. While the party was fun and everyone loved my coat, I can't even tell you how paranoid I was about someone spilling something on it. Next time, I'll wear something not as new and shiney.
But I do wear my garb to parties. My best friend's parents had a pirate 30th wedding anniversary party. It was on a big boat, we sailed around the bay, it was awesome. I was the only one to dress up however. It was a pirate party, on an actual boat! Come on.
Aaanyways, I call it garb. And now all my friends do too, as they had barely heard of a faire before I dragged them to them. So, everyone I know calls it garb. I get why people might not like their stuff called a costume, as it does have a less than fabulous connotation now days, but I'm sure that no matter what danes call our get-ups, they never mean to disrespect (I hope :D)
I wear at least some of my garb whenever I can.
I've worn garb to Scottish Sundays at church (St. Andrew's Day in November, & Tartan Sunday in April/May).
If there was any way I could get away with wearing garb to work, I did it. I wore noble garb on Kate & William's wedding day. I've worn pirate garb on St. Patrick's Day (Grace O'Malley, the Irish pirate queen - and won the "costume" contest). Sometimes under my longer skirts, I wear my faire bloomers. In the winter, I wear my faire boots.
And when nothing is going on, a group of friends hold Renaissance dinners at each others' homes, where we dress in garb and play faire CDs, & eat somewhat authentic food & use our mugs and goblets.
I love my garb more than my regular clothes, so why wouldn't I want to wear it? ;D
That sounds good to me, Lady Renee. Only problem down here in Arkansas, if I were to wear my wizard garb, someone's likely to think I'm crazy and either shoot me, run me down, or sell me drugs.... Okay, I'm kidding... except for the shoot me, run me down, or sell me drugs... ;D
Well, on the Halloween thing, As a general rule I wouldn't think of garb as a Halloween costume either. But, I have worn my regular faire garb in a "emergency" Halloween situation before. ::)
At the time it had the benefit of being avalible, and fitting!
But really, here's me at faire;
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/olmark/10%20fairy/fairy2010039.jpg)
And in Victorian 'costume'
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/olmark/Dickens%202009/Dickens2009079.jpg)
And on a normal day; not much difference anyway!
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/olmark/newcat052-1.jpg)
Life is hell when you're so well dressed... Zardoz knows.
In some parts of the country "garb" is a term associated with the SCA. My sister-in-law who has done king's and queen's outfits for 3, or 4 big Renfairs hates having her wares referred to as "garb"
As someone who started out as a historical reenactor we liked to call what we wore as "historical attire" since it was based on documented clothing from the past as opposed to a "costume"
But isn't it all just a matter of semantics?
Quote from: amy on June 16, 2011, 02:18:23 PM
My 2 Cents is this: I wear a costume when I want to dress up and be somebody else, whether it be Betsy Ross or Diana Ross.... I wear my garb when I am ME, just in another place and time. It is my real clothes for ME.
Brilliant!!
Zardoz, you're such a snappy dresser! :)
Quote from: maeven on June 18, 2011, 02:43:55 PM
Zardoz, you're such a snappy dresser! :)
:D Thank you! Like my mom used to say; Try to dress well, it's just good manners.
Quote from: amy on June 16, 2011, 02:18:23 PM
My 2 Cents is this: I wear a costume when I want to dress up and be somebody else, whether it be Betsy Ross or Diana Ross.... I wear my garb when I am ME, just in another place and time. It is my real clothes for ME.
YES! Exactly! Thank you!!
8)
I prefer the term "Costume" for this reason:
I've been working Faire since 1998 as part of the cast. Part of Parades, Gentry, Yeomen of the Guard, a stage show and Court.
I have been the theatrical director for the Gentry group and both Men's captain for Court.
I prefer "Costume" because it reminds our cast member that we are part of a theatrical production and that we are here for our audience. (Though singularly I refer to it as my "suit" and the women in court refer to their's as "dresses")
And none of my "costumes" are cheap or poorly made, the original Davies suit dates back to the first year of the GA's and is over 10 years old, with the exception of the original coat (which is only faded), it is still in excellent shape! The orange Davies court suit is four years and only needs the button cording replaced. (Comes from doing somersaults in velvet...)
I personally don't like the word costume as it makes me think of polyester cheapies from Walmart at Halloween. But that's just my preference, so I don't use the word to describe someone's clothing that they have put time into. Whether it's purchased or made with their own hands, time and care went into making it. But if someone else refers to my outfit as a costume, I'm fine with that as long as they weren't trying to be snarky. A compliment is a compliment.
When I think of "costume" I think of the type of outfits only made for Halloween. I use the term garb to describe my faire clothing. It's something that I can wear more than once or twice a year, if I like, plus the chemises make really good nightgowns. :)
To us, Garb is Renn Faire clothing. Amoung most pirate re-enactors, the word Kit is used most often, to describe not only clothing but the accoutraments of a desperate sailor. Since we tend to perform at more pirate fests, we kinda have picked that up.
I do World War One reenacting and kit is what we use. You have a uniform and web gear, ammo pouches,canteen etc.. and a rifle.
By the way I do a WWI Australian impression.
Frank Blanton
when i dress in any semblance of HA, it's garb. mostly, i'm a glitter addict now, so it's a costume. but it's always CLOTHING... and typically, my favorite, at that!
When I "garb" for TRF, I shoot for period-accurate clothing, so I call it "period wear". But, even a couple of my items are shortcuts for comfort, like my footwear is not period accurate.
A while ago I attended a Pirate Festival with a friend of mine and kids in tow.
My kid was in a pirate outfit of home sewn cotton pants and linen shirt, home sewn leather vest, decorator fabric pirate coat, real silk sash, faux suede bucket boots, replica metal sword and metal and wood pistols. I'd call that outfit "garb".
Her kid was in $15.00 Wal-Mart polyester 2 peice Halloween pirate ensemble and sneakers. I'd call that a costume.
But, that doesn't mean that all costumes are cheap, or that all garb is expensive, well made or extravagent.
po-tay-toes, po-tah-toes
If I wear my pirate clothes to a Halloween party, then it is a costume.
If I see a man outside of faire or celtic festival in a kilt, then I do the same as I would at those events ... I compliment his bonny knees. :) I wish more men wore kilts as everyday wear. They are so much more attractive than shorts!
My sister likes to call the cheapo poly halloween costumes slut in a bag costumes. Before I can to this site I steered away from calling it a cotumes cause the clothes were much more to me than that I called them my gear. But now I know I must call them garb and so I do....
Quote from: Zardoz on June 02, 2011, 11:29:39 PM
Well, let's define stuff;
cos·tume
Noun:
1. A style of dress, including garments, accessories, and hairstyle, especially as characteristic of a particular country, period, or people.
2. An outfit or a disguise worn on Mardi Gras, Halloween, or similar occasions.
3. A set of clothes appropriate for a particular occasion or season.
garb
Noun:
Clothing or dress, esp. of a distinctive or special kind.
So really it sounds like 'garb' is better than clothing, outfit or costume...
Really, I think it depends on your point of view, I refer to faire garb as 'garb' around the renfaire community, but at home I'll say "time to get out the renfaire outfits". If I'm at the Sci-Fi con and wear my Men In Black outfit, it's a costume, dressing up at cons is generally called 'costuming'.
But to the general public, any clothing that is outside of their experience is a 'costume'. They don't know where you're coming from, so you could be dressed as King Henry VIII, or Capt. Kirk, it's a costume to them. So I don't get upset at faire if a mundane says "nice costume", any more than I do when some one says it to me while I'm out running errands in a kilt, I just say thanks and move on.
This came up recently as I was trying to explain Twelfth Night and St Voloc where we go in garb outside of fair.