Newbie: Need help finding an outfit I can wear in hot weather

[Mink]

Hello everyone!

I love going to my local Ren Faire every year, and I really wanted to start building a cool outfit. However, my attempts at making a pirate outfit have been foiled. I've found that I absolutely cannot wear my corset/long sleeve shirt/hat combo I had put together because I have horrible heat intolerance.

Last year I bought a coin bra and hip wrap at the Faire, and wore that for the day; thinking maybe I could pull off a belly dancer type thing. Make myself some pantaloons, buy some jewelry, BAM, outfit. I didn't look up any history, I bought it on impulse because I figured at least I would stay cool. And I was a little bummed out when I overheard a fully garbed out woman saying mean things behind my back when she thought I couldn't hear. I felt like a fool after that, and I didn't even get to wear one of those spiffy Fool's hats!

I started to look up more time relevant outfits, but they all seemed too warm. I was mainly going off this website: http://www.shira.net/costuming/sca-faire.htm
The lady goes over what not to wear, and the 'tribal fusion' I wanted to go for is apparently off limits.

So my questions for you guys are:
Is there some type of outfit or role I can try to emulate and still stay relatively cool during the heat?
Can I save my belly dancer outfit even though it doesn't seem time appropriate?
Should I only go during Fantasy Weekends if I go with the belly dancer theme?
Should I have just punched that girl in the face and told her to suck it?

Thank you for any help! I absolutely love the Ren Faire, and I just wanted to create an outfit that is appropriate.

[gem]

First of all, SHAME on that woman!!  You paid to get in, you are welcome to wear whatever you love and feel beautiful in. And FWIW, just because someone is wearing garb doesn't necessarily make them an expert, no matter how loudly they speak

I will let the better-informed talk about bellydance garb, but I will say that there are some definite principles for staying cool at fair.

1. Natural fibers. Linen, in particular, can be your very best friend--it is lightweight and breathable and will wick moisture away from your body. Even wool can work in the heat, but silk tends to insulate more than cool. Stay away from the synthetics--especially the heavy home dec fabrics and anything 100% polyester. (Also, check the weaves on the fabrics you buy. I saw cotton broadcloth recommended in that link, and that's a fabric I use a lot--but it's not something I'd recommend as a first layer against your body. The tight crisp weave of broadcloth actually makes it quite a bit less breathable than something like linen or gauze.)

Something like these looks from your link could easily be made in  linen, and keep you nice and cool:


My favorite hot day ensemble is this, which is a linen dress over a lightweight gauze chemise. I specifically made it to be worn for hot weather, when I didn't feel like being laced into something fully boned, and a whole bunch of layers. Here's another version.

2. Keep covered up. This one seems counter-intuitive, but our prairie pioneer ancestors (and the Bedouins!) knew this instinctively. I am FAR more comfortable in my Fair garb (long swishy skirt, chemise, and broad-brimmed hat) than I am in comparable weather in mundane clothing (shorts and a T-shirt). A lightweight layer between you and the sun will work *wonders.* A parasol can also be very helpful, but I actually find my hat a better source of shade.

3. Stay hydrated! You probably know this one already.

There have also been discussions here about various cool packs and other measures that some cast members (who don't have the option to change their garb for the weather) have used; hopefully folks will weigh in on that! Lady Renee Buchanan, in particular, has great tips for hot-weather garb, as she is also sensitive to the heat (and has a huge garb closet! :b).

HTH!

[Mink]

Thank you for the quick reply! And I didn't even think about what type of cloth I was using. I know my pirate shirt looks like the one you're wearing in your first link - so I'm going to say it's gauze. And I *love* the feel of that shirt! Maybe I can incorporate it into a new outfit, without my corset.

And I did make pantaloons for my belly dance outfit, and I believe it was 100% cotton...but in black. Which is probably not the best idea for me, I honestly don't know why I didn't buy a lighter color. >.<

Also, thanks for making me feel better about that lady and her big mouth. I mean, I bought the bra top AT the festival! And the vendor owners were so much fun to work with (and have always been, I've bought costume jewelry from them before), and they made me feel absolutely fabulous by the time I left. I'm not one to have thin skin, but it still knocked me down a peg to have someone who was so meticulously dressed speak ill of me while I was just having fun. Bleh. I should have just belly danced around her until she got angry, hahaha!

[GryffinSong]

Yes, please ignore that woman's comments. Some are fussy about accuracy, but the goal of a faire is to have FUN!!!

As I understand it (though I am quite a newbie) if you are a member of the cast, historical accuracy is important. Vendors may be a bit less so ... make an effort sort of thing. Paying guests are there for FUN, and entertainment, and it is YOUR day. Wear it if you like it ... I'd certainly enjoy seeing it!!! I've seen people dressed as faeries at faires. Pirates abound, and lots of cobbled together garb that people enjoy because it gives the general impression of the ren period. Wear what you like, and I hope you don't let someone else's bad mood impinge on your good time.

[isabelladangelo]

You want linen, as Gem said.  You also want to stay covered with very lightweight fabric.  If you notice, in the hottest places on earth, people often are fully covered - there is a reason for that.  Light colored fabrics help reflect the light and they also keep the sun from being directly on your skin.  Both are ways to help keep cool.   Also, the fabric will draw sweat away from you, helping to cool you down even further. 

http://isabelladangelo.webs.com/turkishcoat.htm





You might want to go for something like the above. This is what they wore in Turkey (and in Italy) in the 16th C.  The coat, pants, and chemise can all be made out of linen.  It's not terribly difficult to make and would probably be comfortable for you.

You can also go with the traditional Venetian style:


DSC00684 by jubileel_insaneone, on Flickr

This is based upon paintings from the 1490s-1510s.   You wear it over a chemise.  This is my favorite dress because it is so lightweight and perfect for hot weather.   It leave your stomach free too so you can eat all you like.   

Look through period paintings and sketches of hot weather countries to see if you find anything you like.  If you don't want to sew, we can help you find something close that will work. 

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Gem is right!  I am on a year to year name basis with Bristol's first aid dept.  I have zero tolerance for heat.  And I have garb that is explicitly for warmer weather.

I made this with open sides and 4 rows of grommets under the arms, so it can be laced looser or tighter.  It's a cotton blend and I wear it with a long chemise, again a cotton blend.  I hate to iron, so I only have 1 linen gown and I almost never wear it, because it looks like I slept in it after wearing it a few hours.



I have 3 gowns that look like Simplicity 4940.  They are not exactly the same, but under the arms, there are 3 loops sewn one under the other.  You criss cross lace it in the back, negating the need for a bodice.  I don't have any pictures of it in Photobucket.  They are of lightweight materials, and I got around splendidly in Oklahoma City last May when the cooler temps were 102 degrees.  And I never had to go to their first aid.

When I want to wear a bodice, I bought a couple of inexpensive ones from Ebay.  They have no boning in them, so they're not tight. And I throw them in the washer after a long hot day wearing them.  In some photos around the forum, I'm wearing them.  This winter, I bought an underbust bodice.  The boning is only in the front at the grommets, and I plan to wear this when I even get too hot for a bodice.

I am in no way historically accurate, and I don't attempt to be.  Comfort first, and enjoying what I am wearing, no matter whether it is "right" or not.  After all, my home faire has Queen Elizabeth, Robin Hood, and the Fantasticals (fairies) all mixed together.

If someone gets snarky with you, ignore them. As long as you feel good wearing it, that's wonderful.

[Mink]

Thank you all SO much for the responses! I'm glad the general response to historical accuracy for paying customers is just 'have fun' haha!

Isabella: I'm usually not a fan of dresses, but that Venetian style you're showing is absolutely gorgeous. I want to wear that and frolic in a field of flowers. If I decide to go that route, I'll have to look into either making one or purchasing from one of the vendors this year. Also, I like the long turkish vests. I actually ran into a belly dance site that had small versions of those. (http://www.velvetpeacockdesigns.com/)

Lady Renee: Love your outfit! And oh my goodness, someone else with no heat tolerance! In your picture, is that yellow garment all one piece? Is that a 'long chemise'? I was trying to google 'chemise' and I'm finding a lot of different looks.

This is my pirate-y shirt I had bought to go with my maroon/black corset. Is this considered a chemise?

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I love your pirate shirt (and yes, it is called a chemise) !!!   

The yellow is a chemise also.  It is a long one.  Chemises come in all lengths.  Long, like a dress, hip length (hint, this length stays tucked in nicely), waist length, and there are also some that come just under the bust (I guess it's for it you're really hot and don't want a lot of material under a bodice). 

The pattern for my blue dress is like a Venetian dress.  Instead of sewing the sides, I left them open and used grommets under the arms.  My friend made the same dress but closed the side seams, as the pattern directed.  Both ways look nice.  I wanted the sides open to be cooler.

[gem]

I have a couple of cropped (just-under-the-bust) chemises; I wear them with things like this dress (the red is the chemise), that are a little more fitted through the torso/sleeves and have no room for a floofier chemise underneath.

Mink, I recognize your chemise!! We have that vendor at KCRF.  From the looks of it, it is cotton gauze, but I know that vendor also makes chemises out of all kinds of different fabrics--not all of them heat-friendly. I'd suggest you toss it on on a regular (not fair) hot day and wear it around to see how you feel. If it's breezy and cool, you're good to go!

Those wonderful puffy, flowy chemise sleeves aren't "supposed" to be historically accurate--but check out this 1515 Holbein painting! I have a similar chemise that I adore (and wear with my more historical pieces), and I was really tickled when I stumbled across that image!

[isabelladangelo]

Thank you all SO much for the responses! I'm glad the general response to historical accuracy for paying customers is just 'have fun' haha!

Isabella: I'm usually not a fan of dresses, but that Venetian style you're showing is absolutely gorgeous. I want to wear that and frolic in a field of flowers. If I decide to go that route, I'll have to look into either making one or purchasing from one of the vendors this year. Also, I like the long turkish vests. I actually ran into a belly dance site that had small versions of those. (http://www.velvetpeacockdesigns.com/)

Well, there are some caveats to "just have fun".  I have seen people wear stuff that REALLY wasn't appropriate.  Like "jingles" last year (the lady didn't believe in support and I'll leave it at that) or the um...well, she only had three tiny pieces of leather stapled (no, really) together that might have been enough to make a pair of gloves out of for me...and her body was shaped more like a loaf of sourdough bread than a noodle.  She violated the all important fabric to size ratio - the bigger you are, the more fabric you will need to achieve the same look.  After that (leather staples was about ten years ago), our fair did make some rules but somehow jingles got by them. 

Unfortunately, some people take the "just have fun" and think they can do whatever they please without some sense of sense!  Not that I think anyone that posts here would do that but I know we have several lurkers....

The early Venetian dress is a lot of fun!  It is perfect for running around and working but it also looks "nice" enough that it only needs a few accessories to dress it up.  The color is strawberry milk pink and the entire thing is hand sewn - it didn't take as long as some people would think.  Only about a week.  If you are interested in that style, take a look at these pages for further inspiration:

http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/wardrobe/artgallery1.htm

http://aneafiles.webs.com/renaissancegallery/veneto.html

[Bonny Pearl]

I have an outfit from Velvet Peacock and I highly recommend the purchase.  While it may be a bit pricey for starting out, the quality is fantastic and she is very thorough in measurements and will help with any questions or concerns you may have.

If you want to mix it up, buy a few simple belly dance pieces and blend a bit of 'gyspy' garb in.  The clothes are usually very loose fitting, light cotton and gauzes.

Lady pirates don't have to wear bodices.  You could wear a poet shirt, pants and a low waisted belt/sash.  Don't have to wear boots either, wear rope sandals if you like.

I am thoroughly disgusted by what that 'person' said/did.  That is not what faire is about and she should be ashamed.

Take your time with your purchases and I hope you enjoy your journey of garb evolution!

[Mink]

Well you guys got me all excited about my outfit now! I was browsing the other threads with all the pictures of past faires - and I'm just going to go for the belly dancer/gypsy theme. I'm going to be Hysterically Inaccurate, and just continue having fun.

I'm going to rebuild/or purchase my pantaloons/or skirt (are skirts cooler?) in a lighter color, using the color palette I found in another thread: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubileel/5528902821/# (So I can stay somewhat relevant.) All shades of purple are my favorite color, but I'm going to try and stick with lavender and creams/unbleached. Over the years I'm sure I'll just build on top of it as I find pretty things!

I finally bought this vest off of Etsy I was drooling over for a long time: http://www.etsy.com/listing/101359472/purple-turkish-vest-26-exact-to-32?ref=usr_faveitems Not sure if I'll do a coin bra or chemise under that.

And while browsing around Micheal's I found a pretty flower I was going to use for inspiration for making a belt:



Tomorrow a friend and I will meander about Jo-Ann's, looking for more inspiration and materials to make a belt. Slowly but surely, I will have an outfit ready for September! Haha

Thank you all so much for getting me back into this!

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Your lavender bodice is so pretty!  I know that in hot weather, a lot of ladies develop chaffing in the thigh area.  Many wear bloomers (either that peek out the bottom of the skirt or to just below the knee).  So it depends on you if you decide pants are cooler than skirts.  If you don't have that problem, maybe skirts are cooler.

My dear sewing friend told me a long time ago when she made me bloomers to leave the bottom open instead of using elastic below the knee with a little ruffle on the bottom.  She said that though the ruffle looks cute, with an open bottom, the air circulates better.  So all my bloomers (I have 5 pairs) have an open bottom for hot weather.

As a very distinguished Lairde once said:  There is only 1 rule - have fun.  The rest are just guidelines.

[isabelladangelo]

The lavender bodice is a lovely color but it look "hot" to me. It looks quilted to me which will cause you to be hot.  Given how small it is, it might not make a difference but you really loose most of your body heat from your chest/neck area. 

Bloomers are a good idea and they are period - there are a couple of extant ones I know of and there are several paintings and woodcuts that show what bloomers looked like.  Most of the time, the cuffs were either left plain or embroidered - not ruffled.  A quick fix for you would be to add purple trim to the cuffs. 

[Mink]

The lavender bodice is a lovely color but it look "hot" to me. It looks quilted to me which will cause you to be hot.  Given how small it is, it might not make a difference but you really loose most of your body heat from your chest/neck area. 

Bloomers are a good idea and they are period - there are a couple of extant ones I know of and there are several paintings and woodcuts that show what bloomers looked like.  Most of the time, the cuffs were either left plain or embroidered - not ruffled.  A quick fix for you would be to add purple trim to the cuffs.

You're right about the bodice, I completely forgot that I was supposed to look for something with open sides too. Hmm...I think I might cancel the order for now and work on the basic outfit before I add something over a coin bra/chemise. Maybe a vendor will let me try on a vest like this at the Faire so I can tell if it'll be too hot for me.

I was looking at some youtube videos of the Silk Road dancers, and they have some really airy-looking wraps/tops that go over their bras. Yet another option!