In the past years, I have attended faire in what I suppose would for the most part be considered "normal" rennie human character garb, occasionally fae gear, like wings, or curled shoes and simple makeup. I know most of the people on this board play human characters, but I will ask this to everyone.
If you have elaborate garb, like maybe a large dress, or wings, or complex armour, and DON'T work at the faire, do you tend to wear your garb on the way to/from faire, or just get dressed when you get there?
At my home faire, the only place to get dressed are either at other places in the park, rather a far walk, or a port-a-potty (which I have yet to step hoof in, myself.) Obviously some people can get dressed in their car, if it has enough space to move.
Myself, usually I wear the stuff and just add wings/any large pieces when we get there, but starting this year I'm attending in my faun garb, aka padded leg forms, forced "high heel" foot posture, a tail, complex makeup via airbrush, and prosthetics. I plan to just go in garb, since I surely wouldn't take my fur into a port-a-potty, and the car we are taking doesn't have nearly enough space for me to get into all the layers and gear. I can only bend so much in garb.
I foresee a lot of crazy looks on the journey to and from. I surely hope we stop at a drive through or gas station!
So what about you ladies and gentlemen?
I have seen people dressing in the parking lots - some behind screens, others much more modest.
If I have ever stopped away from Faire on the way there, I usually get questions/looks, but my garb is more normal than yours (not in a bad way, mind you :) )
Quote from: Gauwyn of Brocknell on February 01, 2010, 11:31:48 AM
I have seen people dressing in the parking lots - some behind screens, others much more modest.
If I have ever stopped away from Faire on the way there, I usually get questions/looks, but my garb is more normal than yours (not in a bad way, mind you :) )
Lol I know whatcha mean. I've been in a fast food joint with my elf looking hood, and horns and such...without the furry parts and people stopped and blocked up the drive through >> lol. A lot of people tend to ask me "where are your feet????" since it's obvious I'm not standing flat-footed. Heeheee silly people.
It really depends on how we are dressing and how long we have to drive. That being said, we almost never go fully dressed. We usually always have something to put on in the parking lot once we get there and we always change into danes after the day in the parking lot unless we are driving a very short distance.
I've always gotten dressed at home...usually as a belly dancer...this year i will be getting dressed in the parking lot...at least for rendezvous (new noble garb)...I have a small suv and the trunk space opens upward...so i was planning on some heavy magnets and fabric to make myself a little temporary changing room...prolly like 5ft by 5 ft space...Is there someway you could do something like that?...you'd definitely want to test it out ahead of time tho...
I'm used to taking a large SUV, but this year its a small compact car, and because of how my layers are, I can't really wear anything but underwear underneath the spandex layer, so I don't plan on getting changed outside the car. XD I mean I'm ok with changing at home and freaking out people, I could care less about that, I was just curious as to what other people do too. :) I like the idea of portable changing room tho. If we had more people we could probably make a little curtain thing outside the car, but it will just be me and one other person, so not enough arms. XD
I'll only be able to wear underwear under everything...so ill drive down in shorts and a tank top and then "assemble" my changing room and get dressed...you could stop at the gas station down the street to get dressed...i've seen plenty of people doing that...
From what I've seen at MDRF, the norm seems to be to change in the parking lot, both coming and going. As I'm typically uncomfortable with that (and not at all uncomfortable either driving in garb or being seen in garb outside of faire), I change at home and go to and from faire in garb. I even go so far as to grab my hat if I'm going into a gas station on the way there or back. Since I wear peasant garb, I've found that, without the hat, I'm just dressed funny. Put the hat on, however, and I'm in a costume. As the great ren performer Hilby once said about his accent, "If you can't hide it, paint it red". I've found it's much easier to run around in full costume playing a character than go around half costumed and try to pretend that nothing's out of the ordinary.
Quote from: will paisley on February 01, 2010, 01:23:34 PM
From what I've seen at MDRF, the norm seems to be to change in the parking lot, both coming and going. As I'm typically uncomfortable with that (and not at all uncomfortable either driving in garb or being seen in garb outside of faire), I change at home and go to and from faire in garb. I even go so far as to grab my hat if I'm going into a gas station on the way there or back. Since I wear peasant garb, I've found that, without the hat, I'm just dressed funny. Put the hat on, however, and I'm in a costume. As the great ren performer Hilby once said about his accent, "If you can't hide it, paint it red". I've found it's much easier to run around in full costume playing a character than go around half costumed and try to pretend that nothing's out of the ordinary.
I rather like that saying! I might have to put that one up on my wall XD Yeah, it would be rather weird to be all airbrushed green and swirly in normal everyday clothing, stopping for gas or to get lunch or something and everyone just staring, over me being in the full shabang. XD Then at least they could take pictures!
When I wear the armour I put that on in the parking lot its impossible to drive wearing the armour. I've been know to put my kilt on in the parking lot too but its pretty easy for a highlander to get dressed and undressed any place while maintaining modesty as long as you remember what goes on and off first.
My garb (save for my horse-tail) is pretty comfy, so I'm mostly dressed as we drive to Faire and put the final touches (belts/pouches/horse tails/hats) on in the Parking Lot when we arrive. That said, even in my most "subtle" of Medieval/Ren. garb consisting mostly of long black leather vests, thigh high boots, puffy sleeved shirts and the like...I still get some odd looks when I stop to pump gas/grab breakfast should I need to before arriving to Faire.
"Are you goin' to that Medieval Faire here abouts?" is the usual questions to which my sweet smiled reply is...
"You have a Faire around here? Heck no, I'm trying out for "Oklahoma"
It usually takes them a second or two before they get it...
I'm one of those get dressed in the parking lot, has no shame types. I have changed from jeans and a tank to a chemise in plain sight in the parking lot... But then I grew up in theatre, so I'm very good at changing clothes while still being legal... It's pretty easy, just throw the chemise on over everything else and use the chemise as a kind of changing tent. Quite handy, heh.
A lot of camping stores have pop-up privies.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10210792____SearchResults
Do research for the best price.
I camp at faire so I dress in my tent now and put on my belt stuff once I can move around better. Before I was working there, I would be partly dressed for the ride and do the rest of it in the parking lot...so many things to strap/tie/tuck around my hips that are just not comfy for an hour car ride. Sitting on coins is not fun! After faire, I would completely change before the drive. I too am a master at changing while not showing anything, but using a giant t-shirt as I used to never wear a chemise.
I dress on-site. Backstage...
Partly because I can (on cast), mostly because my butt (including arming bolster) doesn't fit in the car...
I dress in all my garb, wheter it be wench, pirate, or noble before i leave home, seeing how i have alot of garb and acessories and it takes awhile to get all laced up and cinched in, and everything on, and the privies at my home faire are small, cramped, dirty, and smelly.
I have even learned how to climb into the back seat of my minivan wearing my hoop skirt..not the most easiest task in the world mind you. ;D
I have been known to stop at the McDonald's or Taco bell along the way and use their bathrooms. I have received some strange looks as people see this crazy lady who desperately has to use the bathroom dashing across the parking lot with a noble gown and hoop skirt on . ;D
The best was one time when i was dressed in wench wear, and the bodice i had on should i say... um.. was really doing a good job displaying my ample cleavage. We stopped at a McDonald's and a group of young guys were sitting there on their motorcycles . When i stepped out of the car, I thought there faces were going to drop. My husband told me to get back in the car ! ROFL !! ;D
For me, it depends on how far away the faire is. If the faire is within one hour (which is almost never), then I'll wear my petticoat, underskirt, and chemise, with my hair up in my snood. Otherwise, I just wear the chemise and snood and a pair of jeans, and change into the rest in a gas station bathroom close to the site. Then in the parking lot, I add the bodice, overskirt, hoop, and gauntlets. I cannot imagine fitting in my Corrola with hoops on, and wearing a bodice in the car makes me nauseous.
I will put on smaller simpler things at home. Make-up underpinnings and what not. And when I arrive at faire change in the parking lot. In which I do my best not to flash all those who are walking bye. *Not always successful* Hubby does the same thing. As far as kids, we try and have them dressed before leaving the house. And then at the end of the day before heading home we try and remove/change what we can before the drive home. Again trying our best not to flash everyone.
Sometimes I come in my skivvies (as anyone at TRF can tell you, I'm NOT shy), and sometimes I come fully dressed. Just depends on how lazy I am.
When I was in my late 20's I didn't mind getting dressed in the parking lot. If the breeze kicked up and showed a little skin I figured it was no big deal. I'm a little older now, and a wee one of my own, so I am a little more modest. I still get dressed in the parking lot, but am more careful. It is pretty easy to be modest with a full skirt and chemise.
You mentioned spandex? If your undergarment is spandex pants, then you are already as modest as you need to be for a parking lot.
Mundane people on the way there will know you are going to "some form of a performance". If they want to be stupid or weird, just ignore them.
Let's see....my very first attempt at full garb in a car. I was at TRF and it was the first time I'd worn my full gown with hoops and even a wood busk sewn into the front of my bodice. I was not the least bit bendable. I'd rented a cute little yellow sports car....well that was the most treacherous ride ever with my seat in a slight recline because of the busk and my hoops billowing about me....
So then I thought I'd just get dressed in the lot like everyone else....except it's hard enough to lace up all those little hole in my bodice at home, much less in the reflection of my car window....then I was approached by a man asking if I needed help and then wanting to know if there was a flogger inside...said with a leer, while staring at my unlaced bodice....I know this was meant to be a complement, but...um..no thankyou....so I started pre lacing at home just to make the dressing thing less of a thing....
So now I arrive in my loosely laced bodice, chemise, stockings and shoes and bloomers. Still takes a bit to get the skirts and hoop and stuff all on and just so, but after a few weeks of faire I get my routine down. Funny thing is, when I stop for gas or what not and have to leave the car, I always feel as though I'm running about indecently because of my bloomers. It's all way more than I'd normally wear, but knowing it's my 16th century undies still gives me a giggle. Scandalous! :D
Quote from: Betty Munro on February 01, 2010, 04:56:47 PM
When I was in my late 20's I didn't mind getting dressed in the parking lot. If the breeze kicked up and showed a little skin I figured it was no big deal. I'm a little older now, and a wee one of my own, so I am a little more modest. I still get dressed in the parking lot, but am more careful. It is pretty easy to be modest with a full skirt and chemise.
You mentioned spandex? If your undergarment is spandex pants, then you are already as modest as you need to be for a parking lot.
Mundane people on the way there will know you are going to "some form of a performance". If they want to be stupid or weird, just ignore them.
The spandex underarmour is what my padding is sewn to though! So...it's a bit odd to move/sit/bend in still. XD The only thing left after that layer is the fur, since the padding is built in. ^^
Going to faire, usually at least a 2-3 hour drive, I wear chemise (with bra underneath), bloomers, socks & boots. Which definitely looks weird arriving at the rest areas on the interstates.
In the parking lot, I remove the bra, very modest, no one can see anything, put on the bodice which Steve laces, and put on skirts and hoops if I am wearing hoops with the garb. Then hat, accessories and belt.
After the faire, everything comes off. Socks & boots first, then bloomers, as they're under the skirt, and no one can see them. Shorts or capris put on while skirt is still on. Take off skirt, slide arms inside the chemise, put on bra. Then, depending on how full the parking lot still is, either sit down on the front seat, rip off the chemise and pull on tee shirt - which I can do in less than 20 seconds. If there are people around, while the chemise is still on, I can get the tee shirt over my head, then work my arms into it and then remove the chemise. But that takes longer.
Well my days of being a fairy were always interesting. I have always worn my garb driving since the garments were actually quit comfortable. I have had many looks at gas stations when I'm dressed in just a leotard with ripped pieces of tulle and leaves sewn on for a skirt. But with that maybe they thought I was just in a ballet? But I guess that would not explain the pointy ears. I've always been the type to get a kick out of others reactions for the way I look. I use to go to the movies with friends in high school dressed up in our prom dresses just cuz we wanted to wear them again! I'm the mom who is totally ok with my kids wearing their halloween costumes year round untill they grow out of them and out and about! It's just plain fun!
I have to say now that I am a mom and not the same body type anymore for a fairy, my corsets are a little uncomfortable to drive in but i'm always in leggings or a plain circle skirt ( still not up for the hoops). The only things I wait to put on are my belts, tail, pouches and tankards. Thats a little to much to have around my waste while driving. And its a little flattening to the tail ;D
As this is my first time going in garb this year I will probably end up putting on most of my gear beforehand and adding whatever won't allow me to sit comfortably in the parking lot.
Which will probably be belt/extras and my cuirass/pauldrons.
We have changed at gas stations (Sioux Falls SD faire and Wisc. faire)
We have partly changed in parking lots at away faires.
We usually change in the back of my shop at MNRF.
Both the faires I've gone to are about 2 hours away. I dress at home, rather I'm a wench or faery. Of course the wings go on in the parking lot.
We always have to stop for either gas or a bathroom break. I enjoy the looks I get, it's all part of the fun!!
This coming October, I'll have the same problems you are mentioning!! I can't wait!!
*it's funny how ya think you have an original idea...then you realize others have already done it!*
Milord and I usually get about 70% dressed at home and do the rest in the parking lot.
But then again none of our garb is as complex as Finnians and I don't wear big hoop skirts.
We wear a lot of weapons so those usually stay in the trunk until we get on site.
I will generally wear my full outfit- leather corset, leather bracers, pants, boots etc right out of the apartment- I love the look I get from my neighbors and the people at walgreens.
If I were you, I would wear everything- including full makeup- except the legs and then maybe like some yoga pants to drive there. I would try to park near some trees and tie a sheet between the trees so you can put on the legs.
Finnian, let me know what route your gonna take to faire so I can follow you and watch when you stop at the gas station hehehe.
I am all over the place when it comes to where I put on my garb. I've been known to change in the parking lot just so I don't have to carry my large amount of garb around. I've also dressed at home, but can only do that when I'm not the one driving because my garb gets in the way. I would say that the majority of the time I get changed in one of my friend's shops back room. It's nice for me because they let me keep all my stuff in back and often someone helps me get everything on.
Motorcycle+Kilt=Indecent Exposure citation ;)
@Tammy
Hehe I've seen tons of fauns at faires before, so we definitely aren't the first ones! However I will say I have yet to see a faun at a faire that I LIKED. So let's be the firsts in that department, eh? (I personally hate the stilt-wearing ones, or flatfooted "hoof shoes"....looks fakey to me. XD
@Auryn
You're a trip! XD We'll be driving from Plantation up there... XP I am not the driver, so I will probably be waving at children in cars and at people at red lights along the way. Lawl.
@MacMuircheartaigh
Oh my! I hadn't thought of that combo before now!
I wear whatever I can in the car...but sadly with cars not being built for large hats, swords, etc....I have to limit myself. I still get GREAT looks while driving and sitting at lights though. Especially going through drive-thru's.....
And after 15 years in theatre I HAVE to be in character if I'm in costume. It's just the rule I was always taught. Not to break the illusion. If I'm seen in my costume, then I have to be in character. (although when I escort my gf's choir kids around for education day, I limit some of my piratey-ness....but still in character for the most part)
Quote from: Anna Iram on February 01, 2010, 05:32:49 PM
Let's see....my very first attempt at full garb in a car. I was at TRF and it was the first time I'd worn my full gown with hoops and even a wood busk sewn into the front of my bodice. I was not the least bit bendable.
I've heard of this being a problem so I made sure to sew a large "buttonhole" in the lining of my bodice so I could take the busk out! ;)
My garb is intricate and I have a lot to put on so do it at home and drive to faire. I stay in character. I even pump gas in garb. Usually the comments I get are: Is faire still going on? Etc!
I wear the majority of my garb in the car. However, the wings & bodice (which are sewn together) and the belt wait till we arrive. I always get entertaining looks from people in other cars trying to figure out what's on my head. They speed up to get next to me, then drop back, then speed up again. You'd think they'd never seen someone with horns before...sheesh... ;D
I would say wear a pair of sweats and at the closest gas station stop and put on your spandex then in the parking lot put the rest on.
Its the easiest way that i can think of to put that amount of stuff on.
I much prefer to have everything on and ready to go before arriving. The ideal is when we are staying at a hotel close to the faire and can get ready in the room. Most of the time though we day trip and either find a gas station/fast food place close to change or go about our business in the parking lot.
I have it easy. Change shirts, put the kilt on over my pants/shorts, drop trou, add belt/sporran/boots, and I am ready to go. Reverse order at the end of the day.
It all depends on who is doing my laces, and where we're all staying. I like to have everything but my belt/accessories on and tightened, unless it's a long drive, in which case I have no problem getting my bodice/corset on, laced and cinched in the lot. I much prefer to have help with the lacing, though, since it's far easier for someone else to make sure everything is even and where it should be than it is for me if there's no full length mirror.
I'll put everything on but the boots. Hate to work the clutch in boots. The bodice is on but there are no shortage of rogues to help you tighten.
When I bought my waist cincher, Gary the vendor gave me lacing rights as long as I own it or it has less than 100,000 cinches on it.
Hair in a ponytail since the Bug has no AC and I need coolness on the neck and won't drive in a hat.
So easy to be a wench.
Did that sound right? Not a wenchmouth...right? Right? Can I get an 'amen' from the choir?
When I visit noble, I wear chemise and underthings and boots. Put on hoop skirt and skirts in parking lot, either tighten bodice if front-laced or put on bodice if back-laced. Add belt and other accoutrements.
When I work there noble, I wear chemise and underthings and boots. Put on hoop skirt and skirts backstage, either tighten bodice if front-laced or put on bodice if back-laced. Add belt and other accoutrements.
When I work or visit wenchly, I wear chemise and underthings and boots and tuck up skirts. Lower skirts in parking lot or backstage, either tighten bodice if front-laced or put on bodice if back-laced. Add belt and other accoutrements.
I don't care what anyone thinks about what I'm wearing, I'm secure in my geekiness/rennieness
I'm garbed up when driving to faire, and put on accessories in the parking lot. On the way home, however, I always change. It's such a relief to get into jeans, a t-shirt, and flip flops after a long, hot day!
Well, Athena, we DID change in a Burger King right from the airport.... ;D
Edit: It was the BATHROOM of the Burger King.
I am 90% dressed before we leave the house because noble garb is difficult to do in a parking lot.
His Lordship is about half dressed since he had on his hosen and shirt with jeans in case he has to stop for anything.
Since we usually don't stop, there is no opportunity for either of us to be in character. And once we are in the parking lot, finishing up the last bits doesn't really give much occasion to be in character either.
I will usually drive to faire garbed up, as OhRF is about 45 minutes away from my home. Then again, my garb is standard rogues garb ... tights, shirt, doublet, and knee-high boots, with the sword and mug in the trunk. I have, however, garbed up on site at Loveland Castle in the past when I drove over after I got off from work (my work loves to have me work on Saturday when I have something planned for that day). And I did change at a highway rest stop once when travelling down to TnRF back in 2003 ... worked that night, drove straight down to faire and changed en route.
Anon,
Jared Thorne
Rogue #261
LVH #76
So far, my only garb is wench garb, which I put on at home, and then add my belt with my fox tail, pouch, etc, once we get to faire. I love walking into places outside of faire in garb! The first time was at Walmart and of course it felt weird at first, but it was a blast and as we walked back to the car, I wanted to go back inside and walk through again lol :D
We took several carloads (22) people over to the Louisiana Renaissance Festival last Saturday. My son and I were the only ones in garb. We stopped at a McDonald's in Baton Rouge for a quick breakfast. We got quite a few strange looks, so I figured what the hey, and pulled out my whistle and started playing Nonesuch... That at least got a few smiles.
Normally I drive to TRF already in garb, just adding the last little bits when I get there (hard to get the seatbelt on when wearing a large cloak, I find...). I once pumped gas dressed entirely as V (from V for Vendetta)--I put my wig and mask on before getting out of the car! I got a lot of funny looks for that, from people at the gas station, and from people driving by...traffic slowed down in front of that gas station for some reason...
This year, I'm camping at TRF, so I can get dressed in my tent. Also, my garb is much more complicated than I've ever worn before, so I wouldn't want to drive. Anyway, I'm going out there friday evening, so there's no point in getting garbed up before I go!
It depends on the garb. Bellydancer, steampunk w/o bodice or pirate means 100% dressed before I get there.
Steampunk w/ bodice, or anything that requires my Moresca bodice is usually all done except the bodice. DH, friends or the Moresca gals (depending on whether or not I need an adjustment) help me get that all put together.
I normally do not get out of the car when I'm garbed. Part of it is that I don't like drawing attention to myself & the other part is a bit of the 'bellydancer code' that one does not walk around without a cover-up unless one is performing. Since a cover-up would stand out just as much as a costume/garb I just stay in the car.
So far, I have gotten dressed at home since MDRF is only about 45 minutes away and I rather enjoy driving with the top down in a kilt.
I dress at home. I wear a great kilt, which is too cumbersome to rig in a parking lot.
Bah. For me its so much easier just getting dressed before I leave for faire which is funny because I sometimes have to take the city bus and yea sometimes I wear a kilt imagine all the attention that gets not to mention i wear kilts properly. :P >.> <.<
I have to get dressed in the parking lot once we get there.
For some reason when I was purchasing my hoop skirt, I decided I HAD to have 5 hoops. So that makes riding in a car not only uncomfortable but interesting, and then also my corset is steel boned so sitting in already uncomfortable car seats just adds to the problem.
I wear black cotton leggings and my chemise to the faire, with my hair and makeup already done and then my dear husband laces me into both my corset and my bodice and i have various friends who help me and my gigantic hoop to maneuver through the parking lot. I have gone into gas stations and such sans the hoop skirt and it is always interesting to see peoples reactions. Those brave enough to say something normally compliment me or ask where I am coming from. The rest just stare and whisper :)