Need shopping help

[Praetorian]

Ok we will be going to the faire Saturday mostly to find garb for my wife. We are photographing a wedding there next month and she needs to be "dressed". So, where are some locations to look for a dress or something for her. I am all set but she will be a blank canvas that is a little nervous and reluctant to dress the part at the fest. Budget will probably keep us around $200 to spend. Any ideas, suggestions on better places to look?

Thanks

[PurpleDragon]

The Frock Shoppe is the first place that comes to mind.  I picked up a skirt for my daughter for $48.00.

Boss Wench is another.. they have some fabulous dresses, though somewhat more expensive than you have expressed a desire to spend. 

There is also Unicorn Clothiers as well.

Good Luck.

[Lady Ann of Draycott]

My favorite place is Moresca, especially for their bodices, but you will pay about $150 just for a bodice.

You might try Boss Wench and there are a couple of shops to the left of the Sea Devil Tavern that you could also try.  One of them has some really nice reversible bodices and skirts.  There is another one that has some gypsy type clothing that looks very comfortable if you don't want a tight fitting bodice.  Sorry, but I can't remember the names of the shops, I just know that they are to the left of the Sea Devil (when you are facing it).

There are lots of shops, you should be able to find something....good luck and have fun! 

[Macintyre]

i'm a big fan of house of dra myself.  thier clothes are super comfortable and last a while.

[Lady Ann of Draycott]

Oh! I forgot about House of Dra! http://www.houseofdra.com/

You might be able to get a complete outfit there for less that $200, just depends on what you are looking for...but they have some nice dresses and other outfits.

[Praetorian]

All I know is she said if she had to wear something then she wanted to look nice. I know the budget is kind of low for quality stuff so we are hoping to find something that she will like. Our other option is to go with something online and she is skeptical on it fitting or being junk. My oldest daughter (22 yrs) keeps telling her to go to Party City. My wife knows better but it is funny.

I am hoping she finds something she likes that I can afford to buy and feels comfortable in. Maybe then we can go to the faire dressed together instead of just myself. She did say that she wasnt allowed to dress for Halloween when she was a kid so that is playing into this some. I keep telling her that once you dress for the fest you actually blend in more and it is not an uncomfortable feeling. Wish me luck.

[Taffy Saltwater]

Let me recommend that she make two cotton blend gored skirts & a chemise - they are straight seams w/enclosures for elastic - couldn't be easier.  Then she can buy a nice bodice at Moresca (my favorite) or another shop to pull her look together.  You may have a nice long belt she can use to hang her "stuff".

Or she could buy her bodice first & then choose skirt fabric to go with.

[LadyElizabeth]

Pendragon has beautiful court gowns and such, but you'll spend about twice what you were wanting... but they are very high quality and good stuff.  I think you could dress it down a bunch and get just a bodice, chemise, and skirt for around 200$... But this is for a Hoop skirt dress type option. 

Pendragon is the third lane on the left in from the entrance. Go down the lane and look to the right just a few shops in from the corner.

[knarlyknot]

Dragon's Den has nice items within your budget.  They are located in Pirate's Cove.  And the best part and possibly a selling point to your wife is, everything they make is machine washable!!  Even their bodices.

[Captain Kilian]

The wife LOVE dragons den - and while it might not be the most authentic looking, its the best stuff ever to mix and match and LOVE the machine washable aspect of it!

[brigaqueen1]

If you had more time...I would suggest Ebay. I found some great sellers/costume makers with decent prices! Nice stuff too. I got one pirate outfit (half chemise top, skirt and a half skirt for $56) and a bellydancing skirt and another half chemise top for about $80.

I did get an outfit a long time ago at the Frock shoppe. A chemise, under skirt and a reversible bodice for $250. They have some nice patterned fabrics and great bodices. And dont forget, she'll need a pouch or a bag to carry her belongings in!

Hope she has fun shopping!!

[Bonny Pearl]

I myself am most comfy in leggings and that is why I wear pirate garb.  If she is inclined to wear leggings, then go to Faire Pair and you can get a decent pair of leggings for about $40, then head over to House of Dra or Ravenswood for a shirt and then get the gal some weapons!!!  She'll be feelin' tough I guarantee! 

[LadyStitch]

I love Lady Dra's stuff.  I live in it even when I'm not at faire.  It is that comfy.    You can get and simple top and skirt from her for 150-200.   A friend of mine got bodice and skirt from Pendragon for 210.   i have found you get what you pay for when you buy garb. 

I have to say I have had more fun playing pirate than royal lady .  Tights are a good thing.  Then again I'm thinking a fairy might be fun too.   It will all depend on what she wants to wear.

[Lady Kitara]

Do they still rent costumes at faire? I know they did at Scarby but not sure abotu TRF. If she only wants it for the wedding and not likely to dress again, you're better of renting than investing in garb. But all the places they've mentioned are great. I second the Frock Shoppe, that's where I got two of my items. Moresca's has fantabulous corsets and skirts as well.

[LadyElizabeth]

They do rent costumes at TRF, right outside the front gate.  Most outfits are around 50$ from what I've heard.  But if she's wearing it more than once, just go with buying the garb and hope she loves it so much it will make her into a rennie!!!