Seeking advice for my first outfit

[morvak]

Hello!

The missus and I visited the PARF this past weekend (our 2nd trip, this time with our 3 year old son) and I pursuaded the wife to buy an outfit. I purchased a shirt, but need to complete mine.

The shirt I have is collared with laces below the collar, long sleeves, with laces at both wrists. And it's red.

I was looking at talltoad.net for hats, SCAboots and tudor shop for pants and vest.

I'm not sure what to get! I'm not necessarily looking to go with any certain look (i.e. pirate). But I do want a vest and boots, I know that much. I don't want to wear tights either. At least not yet.

I do want a vest that will complement my shirt. And I want to get a double loop belt so I can hang a tankard, sword, dagger, pistol, pouch, etc.

I know it's all a matter of taste, but you can pretty much throw anything together right?

Well any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[isabelladangelo]

I know it's all a matter of taste, but you can pretty much throw anything together right?

No!  Please don't throw just anything together.  It can be scary.  Very scary.   I've seen some things I'd much rather not have.      Like fabric to skin ratios being violated.


However, I'm not sure what you are really looking for.  If you know what you want, buy it.  If you want a jerkin and pants, buy them.  I'd suggest using the keywords "renaissance garb men's" on google for a lot of good ideas.  I love using Bing for image searches.   It should help a lot!

[JJames]

If you want, you might try and search thru the "Faire Photos" forum and look thru the pictures on there. I found that most helpful (among many other sources) when deciding what direction I wanted to go. It can "sort of" give you an idea of what others wear to faire and you can see many expamples of all sorts to the garb you have mentioned. Good luck.

[robert of armstrong]

I understand the desire to have something put together so you at least have an outfit of some type for Faire, even if that outfit is just for now, but try not to rush in and just throw something together.  You have a basic idea of what you want, it seems by your desired belt accessories that you want to wander down the pirate or perhaps pistoleer path.

Take some time and have fun figuring out how you want to represent yourself, what kind of character either represents you, or represents what you want to portray.  Usually people characters morph from what they thought they wanted to something that allows for who that person really is (not just the side of them they show to the mundane world) or gives a hint of who they wish they could be more like.

Many people think of who their characters are, and have a story for them.  Not just a Pirate, but a first mate, with this quirk or that, and went through this experience to get that quirk, and have this on their belt as a result of having done or gone through something else.  If that seems like work, then don't bother, but I have found that it make going to Faire so much more fun when you are somebody, not just some person wearing some clothing that sort of matches the criteria of sort of fitting in.

[lady serena]

For right now until you know what personna you are going for, I would get a pair of black draw string pants or button pants. (black goes with anything) If you want a cheap pair or draw string pants go to your local Walmart and get scrub pants or any medical outlet store that sells nursing/doctor uniforms, and your double loop belt. That is what my hubby did for his first year, and he was comfortable for the weekend at fest plus he got to see what the shops had to offer and what other rennies where wearing for garb. Oh almost forgot a good comfy pair of shoes or boots, so your feet will not kill you by the end of the day. I cant tell you how many weekends were ruined due to sore feet the first day of fair.

[gem]

I think it's really important to note that it's absolutely not necessary to portray a character or persona, just because you want to visit Fair in garb!! Milord and I have been season ticket holders, going in garb, going on ten years now... and neither of us has a "persona." (I'm no actor and would frankly feel extremely silly and self-conscious pretending to be some nobleman's runaway daughter-turned-pirate).

We simply mix and match pieces from our garb closet to create a variety of different looks, and we use the same sensibilities we do with mundane clothing to determine whether a new piece would work: Do these things look good together? Are they of the same station/class or formality? Do the colors coordinate well? Is there a good mixture of texture and pattern? You don't have to be in character to know that stripey pirate socks are going to be a tough match for a 1580s Venetian noble gown. 

Just wanted to throw that out there, since the previous advice set so much store by "knowing what persona you want to portray" to guide you with your purchases. You might have a character, but if you don't, you can still shop for garb. Look at pictures (as has been recommended), browse the garbmongers at your local fair--and try on pieces that strike your fancy!  I'm guessing you'll recognize a piece that insists on coming home with you.

[morvak]

Thanks for the input so far!

I appreciate the "persona" advice, but like it's been stated above, I'm really just looking to make sure things look right.

[morvak]

I was thinking about getting this robe. And adding a belt with a sword. Or carrying a walking stick/staff.

I'm just wondering how stifling hot the thing would be here in the East Coast. I don't see too many monks that's for sure. Maybe there is a reason why?

[isabelladangelo]

I, personally, find people dressing up as a religious when they have not taken holy orders as offensive.  Again, this is me personally. 

You can easily check wunderground for annual temperatures and averages for your location.  Unfortunately, no one will know what you think looks good other than you!   

[insidiousraven]

Here in Kansas, we have a group of monks that play chess and wear robes like that, and it sure as hell isn't cool here!  I know my garb is a bit hot for the weather, but that doesn't bother me because I like it so much. 

[robert of armstrong]

I have that robe, my buddy wore it to my wedding - we got to have a Medieval Wedding and therefore a decidedly informal affair for the guests.  He is 340lbs and bald so it was perfect imagery.  It was in June, 85+ degress and he was quite comfortable.  The great thing about something like that is that is is shorts and a t-shirt under, so you can stay cool.  You want something on because that material gets ichy. Pair oof leather sandals and you're in!

I would go with a piece of raw hemp rope as a belt and a staff rather than a leather belt and a sword, if you looking towards a monk idea.

Many aren't concerned about portraying a monk if you haven't taken the vows.  I see lots of Knights Templar who haven't sworn the oaths, and nobody bats an eye.

[ArielCallista]

I think for now versatile pieces is the way to go. when picking out your vest , pants, etc think about how they look together and how they would look with other things...in the future when you buy other colors of shirts will they go ok with the vest or will you need multiple vests? same with pants...also when it comes to belts and things hanging off them, if you buy early go neutral. There are really cool belts out there that have different color dyes used in them and they look awesome, but until you flesh out your garb closet and know what colors you like to wear to faire its probably best to go with a black, brown, tan, grey or something like that and maybe stay away from red, green, blue etc...This gives you more flexibility in the future...same with getting boots...its also good to stay in the same family of neutrals between pieces you will always wear (until you can afford to have multiples, cuz good boots get expensive!)...black boots with black belt, brown with brown...It just makes things feel more cohesive...

Also I highly suggest when you start figuring out what kinds of things you want ask around or search to see if anyone has discussed that company before, especially with expensive things...that way you can get your money's worth and know what to expect as for quality, customer service, how long they'll last and even sizing...asking questions first is a good way to avoid alot of problems later

[Rowan MacD]

  All of the above.  I would only add that it is more 'authentic' if you avoid  going out in bright colors on bright, new fabrics.  Since these also tend to be the cheaper garments available, we see many newbies strolling about in spanking new permanent press cotton blends, or colors that would not have been possible back in the time period.   Be picky, and there are easy ways to 'distress' garb. 

[gem]

  Be picky, and there are easy ways to 'distress' garb. 

Yes, like wearing it out to the fairgrounds! LOL Mud and dust and sweat and turkey grease and...  You really *wear* your garb, like it's functional clothing, and it won't look brand-spankin' new for long.

[angusmacinnes]

Now that is so true.  I have a vest that was new a year ago and now it looks like it might be 10 years old.  Amazing how the sun and elements effect clothing.