What makes fairies, fairies?

[Jademozingo]

Now that I am on to working on halloween costumes, a couple that will be recycled into faire-ware, I have a question that I need answered.  What makes a fairy costume a fairy costume?  Besides the obvious wings.  I am working on an "autumn fairy" costume and need any advice anyone wants to throw at me.  As I said before I'm sure this will be worn to a faire at some point, but for now it's primarily a costume to wear to my boyfriend's halloween magic draft party. 


Jade

[Merlin]

It's more about the character you build rather than the clothing.

Build garb around what kind of fairy you want to be.

[Elennare]

It's attitude/behavior just as much as clothing, but some common things to do are floaty bits and nature.  Example:  skirt that's made out of lots of strips of fabric, bodice with leaves on it.

If you really don't have any idea what you want to do, try looking at pictures.  There's lots of painting of fairies you can find online, and both the photography section and the fairy section here have threads that are pictures of fairies.  Lots of good inspiration there.

[bellevivre]

definitely natural elements, but also a mystical/magical quality- faeries can be solemn, mischevious, regal, sad, silly, or scary- but they are ALL magical! go for glittery make-up and maybe a few hidden 'noise makers' like gypsy bells, etc... 

[Khaalis]

Agreed. Mystical and natural. Bells, leaves, flowers, twigs, cinnamon sticks, glitter, etc. The look of the clothing should also be very "wild" in some of its aspects such as the many layered skirting look, etc. Also, inhuman aspects such as "elf ears", striped makeup, etc. can add to the illusion as well.

Just a few quick examples:
http://z.about.com/d/phoenix/1/0/G/X/RenFest2006Feast10.jpg
http://behance.vo.llnwd.net/profiles/82654/projects/130332/826541222446830.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2725657202_b0653c13f3.jpg
http://cmuetz.smugmug.com/photos/28835337-M.jpg