Need some Help with an odd question.

[SusannaMott]

Me and my friend are both casted at VARF this year and we both have chosen to be couriers/ foot messengers this year for our characters. I have been thinking though, I need some way to distinguish me and her from everyone else and kinda show our occupation. I am not really sure what to do. The nobles will all know who we are but is there any way to show who we are to the patrons. Any ideas would be a help.
I have looked all over the internet to try to figure out historically what couriers would wear but I have come up with nothing. Both of us girls will be wearing simple townsfolk garb, (2 skirts, chemise, bodice, hat and belt,)
Any help on some props or accessories that we could wear would be great.

[stonebiscuit]

I doubt this is period, but from a strictly character perspective, I would really love to see wings on your heels, a la Hermes/Mercury, and/or a small stuffed pony named Express. "I'm [Character name,] and this is the pony Express. What message can we deliver for you today?" And if your last name is Brown, so much the better. "What can Brown do for you?" There's so much pun potential here!

[isabelladangelo]

I'm trying to find the image now but there is a painting depicting a female messenger from the 15th Century.  She wore a dress in the basic same style as everyone else but with a high slit to the side and no underdress - presumably so she could run quickly.  She also wore sandals. 

Given the time period VARF goes for, I'd wear a similar 1550's/1560's style dress, add a slit to the side up to the knees, and wear pants (see Realm of Venus for period style bloomers) underneath.  If you don't want to make your own dress and just use the bodice/skirts you have, I'd k=hike up the skirts and tie them up so that they come to a couple of inches below the knee.  Check out all the farming paintings in the 16th C to see a lot of women doing this - it will allow ease of movement. 

[DonaCatalina]

you might also mock up some sort of document tube with a leather strap. Many messages and letter sent in that time period were scrolls that were rolled up, tied with ribbon and sealed with wax.
Cut some pvc and spray paint it brown?

[SusannaMott]

Thank you all so much, those are all such great ideas!!! Keep them coming, if anyone has more idea!!!

[Rowan MacD]

 I would go with a document tube (quiver) and strap idea (love it!) perhaps with a royal crest featuring Hermes or something painted on the outside.   
   Get your hands on a thick cardboard mailing tube and cut it in 1/2 to make two.
   Fashion caps for the ends, and find something to glue over the outside, like canvas or velvet. 
   Add a fanciful cockade badge for your hats with a small white ostrich feather or two fastened with another crest to match the one you have on your tube.
    When you are 'off duty' the badge and tube are put aside. 
  This is fun!

[gem]

Such great ideas!

A search on etsy for "Mercury wings" brought up some cool things! (More successful than searches for Hermes, or for pins or brooches.)

[Rowan MacD]

  The Valkyrie mask at the bottom of the etsy page, made me think that a pair of wings attached to headband might work too.
If they are low enough on the sides of your head, you can wear a hat over the band....

[Adriana Rose]

Do not forget to run any of the ideas you choose by your ED they get might get cranky with changes.

[Dinobabe]

A simple baldric or shoulder sash could also work (some place to put those wings where people will see them!).  I love the messenger tube idea.  Maybe a hand bell for those all important town notices.  You could have a belt sign with your fees on it.