To garb or not to Garb?

[Jademozingo]

I am very new at all this and went to the ky highlang ren faire twice before I went in garb.  This is my first year going and was wondering if I should be in garb when I visit this saturday.  I think it is pirate weekend, I do not have pirate garb yet.  Also I was wondering about what percentage of people went to this one in garb.

Thanks
Jade

[Painted Lady]

Life is more fun in garb!

You will see plenty of non-pirates on pirate weekend. Scots,belly dancers,fairies,vikings and other beasties

And likewise you will get pirates on Highland fling weekend.

[CapnFayeCutler]

To garb or not to garb? There really ISNT any question.

To Garb! Looking forward to meeting you this Saturday! Short, gold frock, black hat with way too many feathers. That's me!

[Jademozingo]

Right now I have very basic bodice/chemise/skirt combo.  My son ended up with the cool garb this summer, a child's leather tunic, arm cuffs, pouch, and belt.  Oh well,  I will be working on mine over the winter.  It just feels so plain because I don't have much to add to mine yet, just a belt.  I feel very underdressed.

Jade

[will paisley]

Right now I have very basic bodice/chemise/skirt combo.  My son ended up with the cool garb this summer, a child's leather tunic, arm cuffs, pouch, and belt.  Oh well,  I will be working on mine over the winter.  It just feels so plain because I don't have much to add to mine yet, just a belt.  I feel very underdressed.

Jade

Not as underdressed as you'd feel walking around in 'danes 

You've got a bodice.  You automatically look like you're in garb, as opposed to somebody who went through their attic rummaging for old clothes (Not That There's Anything Wrong With That®).  Only things you might want are a pouch and a mug.  Gotta put the keys someplace, and wearing garb while drinking Coke out of a paper/plastic cup kinda ruins the effect.  If you're low on cash, try checking a thrift store for an unadorned metal beer mug.  Also, if you get a chance, order an R/F pin and watch people at faire come out of nowhere and introduce themselves to you.

[Pirateleach]

As a young man(kid) i never wore garb.  As i grew up i decided to try garb, and have never looked back since.
I felt much more at home @ GARF than i ever had and i had been going for years.  It opened up new avenues of friendship and networking. 

[Painted Lady]

Most Rennies  have been /making garb and accessories for years. Heck my first faire I wore a lingerie corset and the curtains. I love seeing any effort. That awkward teenaged girl in a cheap disney princess dress makes me smile just as much as the noblewomen with perfect handmade dresses.

Just like decorating your house. One piece at a time makes it really special. 

PL

[Old Tinker]

Most Rennies  have been /making garb and accessories for years. Heck my first faire I wore a lingerie corset and the curtains. I love seeing any effort. That awkward teenaged girl in a cheap disney princess dress makes me smile just as much as the noblewomen with perfect handmade dresses.

Just like decorating your house. One piece at a time makes it really special. 

PL

wise words from a good and wise Lady, hello there our Painted Lady. our best to yours, and always at thy service.
now Lady Jade, do were thy garb, and begin thee's adventure with us all.
good fortune to all,
i be the Old Tinker and his Belle...

[WindChime]

collecting items for your garb is a addiction. get what you need first then work on what else you want. I don't get called WindChime for being quite ya know. At the end of ORF last year my belt weight 60 pounds. (Probally why I had to have spine surgery earlier this month) Bells are a really bad addiction for me. I am working on a lighter version of my belt so it won't bother me so much. But the most important thing is to have fun with good friends old and new no matter how you dress we will accept you with open arms.

[StareNorthSteve]

It is pirates weekend and I will be dressed in nothing resembling a pirate. Go with what you have and shop for a mug or some other accessory to hang on your belt. That's half the fun.

Someone once described going to faire in 'danes as experiencing life in black and white. If you go in garb...the whole experience become much more colorful...and magical. (and the Guinness helps with the magical side of things too)

sns

[Pirateleach]

mmmmmmmm guinness!

[Sigundo]

Garb > costume > mundane clothing. I'm still in the "costume" set, but had a LOT more fun than when I went in my bermuda shorts and hawaiian flowery shirt. Had a good time then, too, but you get "picked on" a lot less at the comedy shows (unless you like being the center of attention, haha) when wearing anything but mundanes. It'll probably be two or three seasons minimal before I get fully garbed up the way I want, until then the 15 buck clearance special in the 3XL rack will do me just fine 

This is my first year going, but I haven't had anybody give me grief yet over my low-end look (well, I took a LOT on the flowery shirt, in good fun, might just as well have painted a target on my back). As long as you're enjoying yourself, wear what you like... except shoes. If you have to choose between looks and comfort, go comfortable (with luck, you can find something that feels good and looks good). Shoes are the dealbreaker at faire for me, long as I don't feel pain with every step, I'm happy!

[Old Tinker]

me's first garb was a potatoe sack, Lady Jade,
(Hmmm, me garb is still a potatoe sack).

OT & B...

[Ratman and Bobin]

And a fine potatoe sack it is!!!   

Cheers!
Ratman & Bobin

[ladylissame]

Garb. You feel like you are part of the atmosphere so much more. And don't worry about how little you have. An outfit is NEVER completely finished

[Ratman and Bobin]

An outfit is NEVER completely finished

Sooooooooooooooooooooo true!!! LOL
Cheers!
Ratman & Bobin

[CapnFayeCutler]

me's first garb was a potatoe sack, Lady Jade,
(Hmmm, me garb is still a potatoe sack).

OT & B...

That made me giggle!

And Lissame's got it right, an outfit is never complete! I just got a new bodice in that matches my frock coat sooooooo much better. So purdy. :B

SNS, I almost didn't get past the wearing nothing part. -_-; It's late.

Can't wait to see everyone on Saturday!

[Old Tinker]

me thanks to R & B 
CapnFaye, dear Ren Daught, thy Papa smiles when one of his girls giggle. 
only hours now till me Belle and me get to see some of the best peoples in the world. 
all travel safe,
this Old Tinker and his Belle will be hit'n the road this afternoon, so's until the morn.   
OT & B...

[Jademozingo]

I'll definetly be there tomorrow.  My son lovingly pointed out that all three of us have green "shirts"  his leather tunic is dark green and my bodice and my boyfriend's shirt are lighter green linen.  So I suppose I will garb.  So any advice for my first trip to this one?  Any must dos or sees? Vendors? Treats? 

Jade

[Sigundo]

We didn't get to see everything over labor day weekend, but everything we DID see was great. Washing well wenches were funny as heck, the mudde show is a don't miss event (we saw Beowulf, breaking my vow to never, EVER attend a shakesperian play, but somehow with the mud and such, I enjoyed it a LOT).

Note to self: Although it is preferred to laugh a lot at the mudde show, do NOT repeat NOT laugh at your wife when the turkey leg juice runs down over her clothing. Funny though it may be.

I didn't get to see the pirate show due to the sun and crowds. We almost did, but at the very last minute 2 tall men and a lady in a tie-died shirt stood right in front of us, blocking most of the show so we wandered off to something else. Lots of nice vendors there, sadly this weekend (as most) I wasn't just DRESSED as a peasant so couldn't do a lot of buying or such, but there is a lot to see. Plenty of nice music too, my wife felt bad putting a tip in one musicians drinking mug, but in her defense it was right where a tip cup would be placed if one had been, but she still felt bad. The joust was a no-miss item as well. Swordsmen weren't there labor day, but Skulle and Bones? filled in and they were good, as well as the Duke of Danger. Sounds like every show I saw was good, doesn't it? Well, they were, so see all of them!!

[ladylissame]

And stop by the maze. The head maze boy in green is very funny. Ask him about the "your mother" compliments act. It is amusing

[Jademozingo]

We went, but arrived much later than I planned. It was one before we got in the gates between traffic and waiting in lines for tickets... well we didn't get to do nearly as much as we would have liked.  I think we were all a bit overwhelmed, so I didn't get to look for anyone.  If you saw a couple wandering around with a very excited little knight in green with a wooden sword and a new helmet, that was us. 

Jade