First ever Ren Fest and I have no idea what to wear....

[neverbeenkissed]

I have wanted to attend Ren Fest for as long as I can remember and finally, this year, I get to go! I really want to get the whole experience and visit the Fest in appropriate garb, however, I don't want to commit any faux pas by wearing the wrong thing or dressing for the wrong class or period.

I've never been involved in SCA or any sort of group where appropriate garb is required, so I honestly don't even know where to start. It's a bit overwhelming at first!

I don't have a huge budget, but I'd like to wear something unique to me, and not mass produced off the rack or purchased from a questionable online dealer. As far as I know there are no appropriate shops in my area.

Could someone explain to me some things that I should look for in the right garb? I'm not much of a seamstress, so I will have to purchase garments already made. What are some online dealers or artisans that you trust? Is it worth it to have something made specifically for you? Where do you find the talented people that can make quality Ren Fest garb?

So many questions! I know. I'm a complete newb. Teach me!

[Celtic_Fae]

If you want to get into noble garb, Ebay's Dragonpipe's Den has a lot of nice stuff for a good price (for noble garb ensembles). I have purchased from her several times and all of her stuff is well-made, unique, lasts a long time, and is quite beautiful.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Welcome to the forums!  Caution -- you are about to enter a realm that becomes a total addiction!   

I'd suggest you look at the thousands of pictures on these forums to get an idea of what you like and what you don't like.

You will also have to decide whether you want to be noble, middle class, peasant, wench, pirate.  Usually beautiful noble garb that doesn't look like a cookie cutter (and most of Ebay does, I learned the hard way when I spent my hard-earned dollars on garb that I thought was great, then I learned better), you will spend a very large amount of money.

Middle class, peasant, wench, and pirate is more forgiving to the budget, and if you don't like it, or decide to move up, you won't be out lots of money.

As to this forum, Lady Kathleen of Olmsted receives raves (does unique custom apparel), as does Very Merry Seamstress (off the rack, great quality, and also does custom).  If you decide you want to go off the rack, Odd Bodkin has a website, but you can also get her clothes on Ebay, and I had a bodice, and it was well-made and very good for the price.

Before you buy off of Ebay or anywhere else, ask a lot of questions, and especially be careful of the material.  Polyester is hot in summer, yes, you can get heat stroke.  You want breathable, natural fabrics whichever way you go.  Read the Garbing and Sewing threads, and you will get an idea of different types of garb, and you will see examples of some of the work of the professional seamstresses on this forum.

Most importantly, get something that you can have fun in.  If you spend most of the time at the faire worrying about your garb getting dirty, or dropping food or drink on it, then you're not going to have much time to enjoy yourself.  I'd buy something that I can sit on the ground while wearing, that is, hopefully, washable.

[SandrineDeLaTombe]

Etsy is a great place to look, you know you're going to get hand-made items, and not off-the-rack cookie cutter pieces.  Depending on whether you want to be noble, peasant, etc., a lady can't go wrong with three basic pieces: a bodice, a chemise, and a skirt. 

While you should definitely be careful shopping on ebay, you can find some great stuff there. I just purchased a new bodice and skirts from "Faire Finery by the Candle Queen", and I really recommend her stuff.  Well made and high quality. 

Also, check out the website for the faire you're going to, and see which vendors are going to be there. I know some people would rather see and feel what they're buying instead of trusting how stuff looks online.

I second what other people are saying regarding historical accuracy.  I have a bodice that isn't historically accurate, but I love it and will continue wearing it. Some faires are more fantasy oriented than others (I've heard this of Texas Renaissance Festival?), so you may see more fantasy-dressed people at some faires than others.

[Queen Bonnie]

 Welcome and you are about to have lots of fun choosing garb!
Faire has everything. I have bought stuff online and had special things made.
First decide who you are going to be! That helps you get the right garb!
  Huzzah for fantasy!

[gem]

Welcome to the forums!

Lady Renee has great advice: look at pictures.  Most larger Renaissance fairs maintain websites with photo albums from past seasons--this is a great way to start.  Also, look here on the boards in the photography forum.  And when I was first starting out, I found Google image searches *invaluable* for helping me decide what looks I liked, as well as finding vendors.

Now, that all said... I'd exercise some caution and restraint.  Garb can be very expensive--particularly if you're talking custom made (which it sounds from your post like you are).  You've never been to Fair before--it might be nothing like you expected, and you might not enjoy it nearly as much as you'd hoped!  What are you then going to do with your pricey custom-made gown?

Furthermore, there are many incredible garb vendors at most fairs, ranging in price from budget pieces to the very expensive.  I think most of us would *definitely* advise you to leave room in your costume and your budget for that "must have" item you stumble upon at Fair!

What I would do, to start, is raid your own mundane wardrobe: do you have a long peasant skirt that would be passable?  Maybe a peasant top or a vest?  My first season at Fair, I wore a rust rayon peasant skirt and a striped cotton peasant blouse I found on sale at Dress Barn.  I wore sandals, a leather vest from Croatia, and a snood (crocheted hairnet).  In nearly all mundane garb, I had a passable "fishmonger's wife" sort of look!  (Even after all my years of doing garb, I still think I look great in those pictures.)

My first season in "real" garb, I bought a cotton twill gown instead of a multi-piece ensemble, so it was easy to wear and more economical.  I do think simple gowns can be a cost-effective way to get started, since you can invest in fewer pieces.  You might look at www.sofisstitches.com or www.likelylotusblue.com for ideas.  I also like Museum Replicas, but I'm hesitant to recommend them b/c their website is just awful (but you can call for a catalogue).  These are the more "mass produced" items, but the workmanship tends to be good for the price (much less than you'd spend on custom garb).  Even at a larger fair (and where Sofi's has a booth, no less!), I *rarely* see the same garb repeated.

Good luck!

[Lady Neysa]

I agree with Gem.  A lot of people choose easy peasant "wenchy" garb their first time out. If you're on a limited budget, this look will be the easiest on the wallet.  Then, after you discover more fully what faire is all about, you can always modify your look later.  So unless you have your heart set on a certain look, that might be a good place to start.  Plus, it's easier to build your garb wardobe if you start with inexpensive basic pieces, and add to them gradually.  One of the best and funnest ways to look unique and avoid the cookie cutter look, is to choose unique accessories-perhaps things that suit your personality.  Choosing the right jewelry, belts, mugs,headware, pouches,etc., can make plain looking garb look spectacular. 

[Carl Heinz]

Or you might want to just wear ordinary clothes for your first visit and see what you like and what's available within your price range.  If you have some friends who've been attending faire, they might well have something they can loan you.

We probably didn't wear costumes for the first year or two and then started picking up pieces.

Costumes evolve over time.  They also accumulate--thus the suggestion that you might have a friend who can loan you something.  I'd suggest that you not spend major dollars on a costume until you've had a chance to explore.

[Lord Clisto of York]

Ok, this is always an easy one. This being your first time, the best way to attend is to go in regular clothes and take it all in. Use your senses to smell, taste, see, hear and feel the things that catch your eye and go from there. This will help you on your way to picking the persona you want to be. Talk to other rennies and get advice. This way you don't just JUMP in not knowing what to really expect. Not every character type or historical type is for everyone. See what the fun is in each and then make a decision. This is not an overnight process. And, make up your own mind without the influences from others that "This or that is the best to be". Wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather and go have fun. You will have a whole good perspective to work with and the next time can go with your first bit of garb.

Lord Sir Clisto of York

[Randal]

Ditto what Sir Clisto said. Go in Mundane clothing, and dress for comfort. Nothing is worse than being uncomfortable , or self-conscious all day, when you should be enjoying yourself and taking in the sights. Take a camera, and a notepad. Take lots of pictures, and take notes of what you liked, what the prices ran, and contact information for all of the vendors. Make notes of what kind of character you want to be; a noble, a pirate, a wench, etc. Then come back here and ask more questions. 

Randal

[DonaCatalina]

I understand how you might be psyqued up about going in garb despite Sir Clisto's excellent advice.
You could wear a long skirt and a peasant blouse to get your first feel of going in garb.
You would probably want to wear some sort of belt for carrying a bag or purse also.
Sandals instead of tennis shoes also add the the 'feel'.

Then when you're more certain of what you really want, you can look at investing your
hard earned money into more garb.

[Var Greyshadow]

Another possibility for going in garb without actually committing to your own for the first time is to see if your faire has garb rental.  That way, you can try something out and go shop the vendors to see what you want for your own.

[gem]

...I also want to add that it's not necessary to adopt a "persona" or "character" just because you enjoy wearing garb!  I've gone exclusively in garb for almost ten years now, and I don't have a character.  I just like love live for the clothes. 

[Carl Heinz]

...I also want to add that it's not necessary to adopt a "persona" or "character" just because you enjoy wearing garb!  I've gone exclusively in garb for almost ten years now, and I don't have a character.  I just like love live for the clothes. 

A good point.  Fortunately the middle class persona I've adopted allows me to wear upper middle class (wool)on cool/cold days and lower middle class (cotton) on hot days.  It's interesting that the percentage of lower middle class and peasants is much greater on hot days. 

[jcbanner]

as a first time faire goer, if you want to wear garb, wear garb!  as cast, Ive noticed that visitors in garb get more attention, its an easy cue for cast about who wants to play. 

that being said, doesn't matter what you wear if your trying to do garb, most rennies are a pretty accepting lot.  I'll tell you, the first time I ever went to a faire, I was wearing the most horrible looking thig, nothing about my ourfit really said "renaissance" if anything, it said "bad 80's movie"

for the 1st time out, I would recommend getting simple garb, skirts, a blouse, and if you want, a bodice or vest of some sort.  also get a heavy belt or sash around your waist. I know that its simple, and by it self doesn't stand out, but at this stage, its really how you accessorize that will set you apart.  starting with only a basic garb will allow you to have room for all the wonderful things that you might find at faire that you'll really like.