Plus-Sized Ren Garb

[Rhiannon]

I'm a plus-sized woman and I was wondering if anyone knew of some good wbsites that offer Ren garb for the plus-sized woman. Is there such a site that specializes in plus-sized garb? There are lots of vendors at the faire, I know, but I only attend the faire once a year and I don't want to make an impluse decision when something costs a lot of money. I prefer to be able to think about it for awhile and then make a decision, so a website would be a perfect thing for me.

[dragongirl]

It depends on what you are looking for.  Many of the sites will make your garb custom to your size.  If you just want basic faire wear try Plussizecostumeshop.com or http://www.sunara.com/.  If you want specific items then you want Very Merry Seamstress.  Hope this helps!

[Taffy Saltwater]

If you're only going once a year, I'd suggest a basic skirt & petticoat combo together w/a chemise.  These are all super easy to make.  Throw on a belt to hold a pouch, mug frog & mug & call it garb.

[DonaCatalina]

If you're looking for something elaborate browes some web sites
like http://castlegardencreations.com/store/cart.php
or http://www.tudorshoppe.com/

But Taffy's right, a skirt bodice and chemise may be all you need if you only attend one day out of the year.

[Blue66669]

Depending on your size, I would, of course, recommend Moresca. Their stuff is SUBLIME!

[Rhiannon]

Thanks for your recommendations, ladies! I usually go to faire in my belly dance costume, but sometimes I long to wear something else. So thanks for the websites and for your ideas!

[wyckdblyss]

Another site to look into is
http://www.renstore.com
They always have really nice, well made garb in plus sizes, and are fairly reasonable in pricing.

[LadySeasan]

Being a plus size women myself, I can totally understand where you are coming from. If you are going but once a year, then you don't really need anything elaborate.  A bodice/chemise/skirt will do.  That is what I wore to my first ren fair.

Now grant it, that costume was rented from the fair. But afterwards this is what I ended up wearing:

The skirt I made myself, I basically made a circle skirt of 3 red panels, and 3 black panels.  I purchased my bodice from:
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Odd-Bodkin-Renaissance-Shop__W0QQ_armrsZ1

They have amazing stuff there, high quality, and at reasonable prices.

Now basically it is because of ren fairs that I learned to sew myself, and have since been creating my own stuff.  http://mydressdiary.wordpress.com

Another place for good garb is http://stores.shop.ebay.com/FAIRE-LADY-DESIGNS__W0QQ_armrsZ1

And with years of going now, this was my latest:

I hope this helped you! If you have any questions, then feel free to ask

[Lady Rochelle]

If you are looking for a bodice, the absolute BEST that I have found is http://damseldress.com/  Damsel in this Dress, the rods that she uses are EXCELLENT and comfortable, also Royal Coffers on ebay (majestic Velvets ) are great .

[dragongirl]

Another site to look into is
http://www.renstore.com
They always have really nice, well made garb in plus sizes, and are fairly reasonable in pricing.

Another great site!  They usually stock items up to sizr 4XL and will tell you if they are snug fit or loose fit.  However, if you want something from them get it now.  They are going out of business and stock is limited.  But you might get a great deal.

[Rhiannon]

I love you ladies! Y'all have given me some wonderful ideas! I really wish that DH and I could go to the faire more often, but money is a big constraint on us right now. I am hoping that one day in the future we'll be able to have more money to spend on going to the faire, because I would definitely love to go more often than just one day a year.

But I definitely have more ideas of what I can wear when I do go, because I would like more options in faire garb. So thanks again for all your ideas and websites and photos!

[Cilean]

I'm a plus-sized woman and I was wondering if anyone knew of some good wbsites that offer Ren garb for the plus-sized woman. Is there such a site that specializes in plus-sized garb? There are lots of vendors at the faire, I know, but I only attend the faire once a year and I don't want to make an impluse decision when something costs a lot of money. I prefer to be able to think about it for awhile and then make a decision, so a website would be a perfect thing for me.

Hi Rhiannon,

I do know many people who do plus sized fashions but it is sometimes hard for us to purchase especially bodices, almost everyone suggests going and trying things on.  I am also going to ask you to think about what you want, basic Wench gear, or Gentry to Upper Class Clothing.  Each have different needs. You would need a Pair of Bodies or Corset for the Gentry and Upper Class gowns, and at least for Upper Class a Farthingale.  So once you know what you want then you can move onto finding someone to create it for you!  I am going to give you some sites I know who make really awesome clothing.



Here are the  Wench Gear Only Sites
Here is a completely fantasy Source
http://www.fantasycostume.net/renaissancewomensclothing.html

Heart's Delight are made by Large Sized Women for Large Women
http://www.heartsdelightclothiers.com/

Moresca's Designs
http://www.moresca.com/




***********************However if you are looking for Jawdropping Faire Garb for Gentry and Upper Class***************************
The Very Merry Seamstress is pretty awesome
http://www.verymerryseamstress.com/

Castle Garden Designs
http://castlegardencreations.com/store/cart.php

Earlier Period but still awesome
http://www.revivalclothing.com/

Historic Enterprises
http://www.historicenterprises.com/

Arcane Designs
http://www.arcanelore.com/

Stimpzillas
http://www.stimpzillasumptuarylaw.com/index.html

Crimson Gypsy
http://www.crimsongypsy.com/

Elizabethan Outfitters
http://www.elizabethanoutfitters.com/

Try Lynn McMasters
http://lynnmcmasters.com/

Semptress Designs
http://www.sempstress.org/




So I hope these will help you to find your dream outfit, make sure if you are not going for fittings you need to make sure your measurements are precise and given to them!

Good Luck

Cilean

[Rhiannon]

Thank you so much for those websites, Cilean! I really appreciate your help. I know that I'm going to love looking through them and dreaming, along with making decisions about what garb I want to wear. Thank you again!

[Joyce "Delfinia DuSwallow" Howard]

Rhiannon, let me share with you some of my ways to fund faire, I save all my change,I put it out of sight so I don't touch it. (so far I've saved almost $300.00 in a yrs. time) then I also have yard sales,my friends are giving me really nice stuff all the time because they don't want to be bothered with it ,so I put it up until yard sale time and I make a couple hundred  $ with that stuff. This way I fund my faire pass and anything I want to buy strickly off the money I raise.My husband bet I couldn't do it and boy did I prove him wrong!I know this isn't about garb but I'm sooo happy I pulled this off, friends ask me how I afford to buy clothes from faire and thats my story.

[LadySeasan]

Rhiannon, let me share with you some of my ways to fund faire, I save all my change,I put it out of sight so I don't touch it. (so far I've saved almost $300.00 in a yrs. time) then I also have yard sales,my friends are giving me really nice stuff all the time because they don't want to be bothered with it ,so I put it up until yard sale time and I make a couple hundred  $ with that stuff. This way I fund my faire pass and anything I want to buy strickly off the money I raise.My husband bet I couldn't do it and boy did I prove him wrong!I know this isn't about garb but I'm sooo happy I pulled this off, friends ask me how I afford to buy clothes from faire and thats my story.

that is indeed awesome