One of my favorite things to do on this forum is to look at the pictures from all the different faires. Not just of the people in the pictures (and I do love looking at everyone's garb!), but also at what is occurring in the background. A recurring thing I've noticed:
In some backgrounds, you can see people snuggled up in jackets, hoods, sweatshirts, etc. obviously not in garb. Then in the pictures of people wearing garb, you see people in just chemises, sleeveless, etc. On the other hand, in faires where it's obviously hot - like tank tops, shorts, sandals, I've seen people in full leather armor, leather pants, leather bodices, full fur outfits.
So here's my question. When you go to faire, whenever it is held, cold or hot weather, do you accommodate for the weather and change your garb accordingly, or do you just wear the garb you want and freeze or sweat? With so many members, I thought this might be interesting to see what people do.
Here's what I do: Sometimes I plan to wear something, but then get up and the weather is the opposite what the garb would be comfortable in, so I will then change to something that I can wear to either keep me warmer if it's cold, or wear different garb if the original choice would have me too hot and uncomfortable during the faire. It's a bummer though when you've already planned out what you want to wear with all the accessories and then wake up on the day and have to change everything in a flash.
I wear my regular garb for as long as possible in the heat...and then die. Then again, I also did faire on a broken foot (untreated at the time), so I guess that makes me a bit of a faire-masochist. ;)
The first faire I ever went to was Georgia. It was somewhere between 80 and 90 the day I went. I saw a guy in full steel armor with chainmail and gamebeson underneath. I don't know how he did it. I can only think he had stuck the gamebenson in a freezer before putting the armor on. I wear a cloak and honestly it's a little warm but I think it makes my garb look a little better. But I also go to faire in October now so it's a little cooler.
In years past MNRF (Minnesota) always seemed so cool, but for the past decade it's almost always HOT and HUMID! I typically wear Noble garb, tights, doublet, cape, tall boots, hat...and sweat til I can't take it no more! This year I discovered the kilt... ;D
Nothing like going without pants to keep cool!
I dress in my sailor garb, and always wear wool stockings, canvas slops, muslin shirt, wool jacket, and wool thrum cap. In the summer, the thrum cap gets very warm! In cold weather, I also put on a lined wool frock. I am comfortable in most climates. I prefer to be warm!
In MNRF, as Noble Dreg already stated, we can have hot and humid or cold/rainy/windy. The solution for us is to have light weight linen/cotton garb for when it's hot AND warmer velvet, wool, corduroy, capes etc. garb for when it's cold. Makes sense, doesn't it? Layers are also a good way to go. ;D
I've experienced rain more than any other weather so far, and then I just stick an umbrella in my bag. But if it's warmer, I've done a few things - when I went to Scarby, for instance, I didn't wear tights (just socks), and I took off my gauntlets and pushed up my sleeves. And for when it's colder, I have a short cape (for weather in the 60s, for example), and a long cloak (which I made because of the 32+windchill at Norman, but haven't yet had the occasion to use). I think the cloak could make me comfortable in the teens! (It's wool with flannel lining.
If its hot, then I will alter my garb to not cook me to death in the heat. When it is cool I will wear my warmer garb and my cloak. But if it is below 50 then I chicken out with mundane warm clothes and as many as I can put on at once.
Like Lady L, I layer.
I remember one opening weekend it was so cold I had long underwear and Tweetybird socks on under my garb and those 8-hour heat packs stuck on me under my bodice! Plus a cloak.
Our faire season can start out cold and we always end up with hot weather so a flexible wardrobe is a must.
One thing I watch--if it is raining and muddy here, a dark skirt you don't care so much about is a must. :D
I have hot weather and cool weather costumes.
Cool weather can include a cloak, schaub, doublet, trousers (all in wool) warm stockings and a linen shirt. More can be added if really necessary.
Wife and sister have cold weather costumes that can include cloaks and shawls. They have similar costumes for hot days in lighter fabrics.
Hot weather is cotton trousers, jerkin, and cotton shirt. On really hot days, staff declares a "jerkin off" day and the jerkin comes off.
Rain is a rarity, by if it looks likely, ye olde golf umbrellas magically appear.
Costume parts tend to accumulate over the years so it's fairly easy to dress for the weather.
There are a lot more peasants and lower middle class on hot days than on cold days.
Only been with garb for a few years, so I only have two different outfits at this point in time. Neither is really warm or cold weather, though the first one I'd gotten, being black primarily in color, I hate wearing in full sun on a hot day. The outfit in my picture is my main outfit these days, and doesn't overheat me. I still tend to avoid direct sunlight, but that's more because too much of it (coupled with alcohol) tends to give my heart more strain and force me to leave early. When the weather turns cooler, I've got a full-length Half Moon that I can throw on and keeps me pretty well insulated and dry (even during a tropical storm that hit the area last year), and leather gauntlets that do a very good job of keeping my fingers from freezing. Even once I do expand the outfit selection though, I'm more one for comfort than style. If the weather is particularly brutal to one extreme or the other, I'd likely change my planned outfit to suit it better throughout the entire day. Sure, the daytime might be predicted to be 70 and sunny, but if the evening forecast drops into the 40s, better believe I'll have the cloak on, and folded back over my shoulders.
There are also times when the weather is warm, I'll still toss the cloak on when there's a good chance of rain for the better part of the day. Scattered showers, ok, not so much. But a good solid few hours? Yep. People look at me odd sometimes, I've even had comments about rain being in the spirit of faire and all that. But what I've come to realize is... we men, on cold or rainy days, are nothing more than walking, talking cloak racks for the ladies. And I've had more than a few times of receiving an appreciative kiss, after rescuing a damsel from the elements. I've lent the cloak to friends when they've had to walk to the car in the rain or cold. I've played an umbrella a couple times, holding one side of my cloak over someone as we hurried ourselves back to the tavern when a downpour started. I've even had one of the cast stop me as I walked in on a particularly cold morning, with a slight drizzle going on, inquiring about the cloak and how well it held up. I offered to let her slip it on for a moment to try it out, but she had to decline (meet and greet of the masses, and all). Sure, she had a stylish cloak on, but it was obvious that it didn't hold back the elements any.
All in all, though, even when you're dressed for the weather, garb is garb. You can't go wrong, either way.
Mine varies with the weather, although sometimes I still get it wrong. Mother nature can be tricky! Fall weather in TX can vary by 30 or 40 degrees from one day to the next. If its going to be hot, i have short sleeves, short faerie skirt, and sandals. If its going to be cold, long sleeves, long skirt, boots, knee high socks, and striped tights. I can't imagine going ungarbed anymore, but don't want to be miserable in my garb either!
:)I normally wear the same garb.. which in Florida can be very warm. I am able to make a few adjustments if weather is unusually hot. Leather in the rain, is no fun, that is for sure! (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction-viewImage&friendID=475288538&albumID=160163&imageID=10382729)
The weather at the Colorado Festival can go from cool enough to see your breath and then to high 90's into the 100's!
You have to vary unless you want to freeze or to pass out with heat exaustion.
I have heavier garb, bloomers and super warm socks and boots that I pull out when it gets cold. And when it gets hotter than Hades I go more with the lighter fabrics and half bodices
No one wants a grumpy garland girl so I have to adjust
I vary the number of layers I wear according to the weather. And all of my clothing is made from fabrics that can stand up to a downpour without colors running and can go in the washer to get out the mud! lol
My primary garb is a kilt, shirt, vest and boots. I am warm natured so I am comfortable if it is a bit chilly for most. After my last weekend at KCRF and freezing my rear knew it was time to put some alternative weather gear to gether.
A wool cloak is alread in the works. I plan to put it on over my primary garb on those days were it is going to start cold and finish nice. For days like the one at KCRF I am putting together some basic piratish garb and picking up a nice wool felt cavalier hat. I can throw the cloak over that and it should carry me through most anything the family will tolerate being out in. Also thinking about adding Under Armour. It's form fitting and supposed to be toasty warm.
No weather condition that the faire would be open in comes to mind that would keep me out of garb.
I can now say I have done faire in both miserably hot and very cold weather. My home faire is TRF and as Trillium stated, fall in Texas can be anything from 98 in the shade to 40 in the sun. I unfortunately only have one set of garb... chemise, 2 skirts, bodice and boots. I have been known to wear leggings tights and socks under my skirts though to keep me warm...but there is nothing I can do to keep from sweating to death when it is hot out...Scarby memorial weekend I was miserable...
Quote from: sealion on November 03, 2009, 07:38:10 AM
And all of my clothing is made from fabrics that can stand up to a downpour without colors running and can go in the washer to get out the mud! lol
Wow, that's handy! That even includes the garb in your avatar?
I had a color run problem my last day at Sterling this summer (and yet not at the downpour at Scarby for some reason). I have a dark green underskirt, and the green bled onto my petticoat, my farthingale, and somehow even onto parts of my bloomers! And some of the red from my cape lightly stained the neckline of my chemise.
I vary my garb according to the weather. Having worked faire in temps ranging from the teens to 90's, one set just won't do it. A lot of the time I have to layer and remove clothing as the day goes on, and then once the sun goes down those layers go back on.
MDRF usually starts the season hot and humid enough that people have been known to pass out from the heat. It usually ends the season cool enough you can see your breath (and, this year, with lots of rain). I've heard it's even been known to snow at the tail end of the season (though I've yet to see it).
Anyway, that means I start out in lighter garb and skirts hiked up and that sort of thing and end with several layers and a cloak. ;)
Lady Renee, I dunno how it is for most people, but I do try to plan for the weather as far as my garb collection allows. Still, a lot of times the weather defeats me! If I bring mostly warm garb, it will be 85 degrees. If I forget my cloak, it will be cold and rainy. If I think "I don't need my Ren sandals, so I'll just bring my boots," it will be way too hot for boots. I can't win.
Quote from: midnightferret on November 06, 2009, 06:24:00 PM
Lady Renee, I dunno how it is for most people, but I do try to plan for the weather as far as my garb collection allows. Still, a lot of times the weather defeats me! If I bring mostly warm garb, it will be 85 degrees. If I forget my cloak, it will be cold and rainy. If I think "I don't need my Ren sandals, so I'll just bring my boots," it will be way too hot for boots. I can't win.
I hear ya, midnight. When we went to BARF in 2007 in March, we didn't bring cloaks, after all, it's Florida, right? Not. I spent most of the day walking around wearing an afghan that we kept in the car for naps during the 1400 mile journey each way. It was rainbow colored, crocheted, and certainly stuck out. A vendor said to me he had never seen anyone walking around faire wearing a blanket before. I said to him, well who'd a thought Florida would be so bloody cold!
Quote from: midnightferret on November 06, 2009, 06:24:00 PM
Lady Renee, I dunno how it is for most people, but I do try to plan for the weather as far as my garb collection allows. Still, a lot of times the weather defeats me! If I bring mostly warm garb, it will be 85 degrees. If I forget my cloak, it will be cold and rainy. If I think "I don't need my Ren sandals, so I'll just bring my boots," it will be way too hot for boots. I can't win.
Headed for the rendevous in TX this spring. We came up with a simple solution for the weather issue. TAKE EVERYTHING! We are putting a hitch haul on the Trailblazer just to stow all the garb, shoes, and gear. From sweltering heat to fridgid cold we'll be covered. It may take us two weeks to pack and un pack, but we'll be covered.
Quote from: Cormac on November 07, 2009, 08:48:49 AM
Quote from: midnightferret on November 06, 2009, 06:24:00 PM
Lady Renee, I dunno how it is for most people, but I do try to plan for the weather as far as my garb collection allows. Still, a lot of times the weather defeats me! If I bring mostly warm garb, it will be 85 degrees. If I forget my cloak, it will be cold and rainy. If I think "I don't need my Ren sandals, so I'll just bring my boots," it will be way too hot for boots. I can't win.
Headed for the rendevous in TX this spring. We came up with a simple solution for the weather issue. TAKE EVERYTHING! We are putting a hitch haul on the Trailblazer just to stow all the garb, shoes, and gear. From sweltering heat to fridgid cold we'll be covered. It may take us two weeks to pack and un pack, but we'll be covered.
Aye, Cormac, we are going to Scarby, too, but we're flying, so we are extremely limited as to what we can take there. I've already been thinking of wearing my regular jacket with my cape over it on the plane, and I may wear jeans with a long skirt over them, and wear my boots. We've never been to Texas, so I'll start the beginning of April looking at the weather forecasts there to get a better idea.
I wear the costume in my avatar for the entire run of ORF, which starts Labor Day weekend and goes 8 weeks. The first 2 or 3 weeks are pure hell as I bake in the sun everytime I leave our shop. By the end of it, I'm usually adding extra layers underneath to keep from freezing. Velvet tights offer no protection from a cold wind, it feels like I'm walking around naked. If it gets too bad then I chicken out and break out the pirate garb which includes a long coat. I don't like doing that because we sell fairy wings, and I'm supposed to be the evil one among a shop full of girls dressed as nice fairies.
I've found that heat gets to me, so I work around that. If it's going to be 80 to 90-something, I skip the leather tunic and just belt my shirt over my pants. The shirt and pants are cotton gauze and breathe pretty well.
If it's cold, I go for layers, starting with non-at-all-period long underwear, pants and shirt, tunic, leather poncho (with a hood that actually stays on my head) and my light wool Lord of the Rings cloak on top. I wear the same thick wool socks no matter what the weather - they seem to work well for both hot and cold.
For rain, I have a Moresca rain cape, but I'm planning to replace that with a cloak from Mystic Cloak (warm and waterproof). I can still wear the Moresca on warm wet days.
Quote from: Var Greyshadow on November 09, 2009, 11:02:35 PM
I've found that heat gets to me, so I work around that. If it's going to be 80 to 90-something, I skip the leather tunic and just belt my shirt over my pants. The shirt and pants are cotton gauze and breathe pretty well.
hah, wish I could get away with that. But then, I'd have to go and buy a codpiece, not to mention getting fitted for it, and waiting for it to be made, and then having to wear it if I don't have the full covering of the doublet and... yeah, that's more hassle than I want compared to hanging loose.
>.>
Personally, I plan for the weather. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work - the girls I go with don't plan for the weather so they can look nice, and if it is cold, I always end up losing my coat or cloak - and you can't see their costume anymore anyway.
Like I always maintain... we are walking, talking cloak racks. If you are a guy, walking with a girl in the rain/cold, and you're wearing a cloak and she is not... you. Are. Wrong.
Just saying, that's all. You're obviously not wrong, given your statement meauho, lol
I agree, but only to a point. If it looks like it is going to be a nice day, and it turns out otherwise... absolutely.
However, when you start out trying to convince somebody to use common sense before you even walk out the door, and have suffered through hypothermia at -40 in Alaska so 50 degree weather causes you to lose feeling in you hand and feet (colder being much worse), then I believe that a person reaps what you sow - and deserve to have frozen nipples poking out at everybody while freezing their but off.
About the only change I'll make based on weather is for the leather bodice if rain is expected. Since I'm perpetually cold, I always have a cloak with me. If I'm not wearing it, it's stashed with a friend somewhere. I can only think of one time I've ever gotten too warm and ... there may have been alcohol involved. Besides, I was wearing bellydance garb that day, clothes were probably not a factor.
Oh, I'll absolutely agree that if it's a full-on crappy day from the get-go, hey, you knew before even stepping out. Besides... who can argue against that visual? ;D But there are occasions that you know it's going to turn colder/wetter in the evening, but the day is pretty nice as it is. I never much mind relinquishing my cloak in such cases. Even if they have the chance to prep for it, even though you can go through it for years and still not realize how quickly that cold creeps up before last cannon.
Besides, I'd do PT in shorts and a t-shirt in freezing weather. Cold doesn't hold too much sway with me. Different viewpoint if anything below 50 causes a bother to you. :-\
Quote from: Carl Heinz on November 01, 2009, 09:03:55 AM
I have hot weather and cool weather costumes.
As a member of court, I have a single costume. Mainly because these are expensive and time-consuming to make.
Secondly, I'm approved for the costume I wear. Faire's costume mistress knows me by sight and would know that I'm not wearing what I was approved in.
I understand the concerns about Court costumes. That's one of the reasons joining Court has never been one of my interests.
As I've noted elsewhere, there are usually more folks in cotton/linen than wool on hot days.
All of my costumes have been approved. And, yes, even middle class and peasant costume costs can amount to quite a bit. I, too, am known to the Costume Mistress.
I have fairly limited garb choices for myself, so asides from wether to include the cloak or not, its the same garb warm or cold. I do have an ankle length, full circle, medium weight wool lined cloak, which I have worn in rain and snow. The faires around here are usually pretty warm, or mild weathered, so the cloak stays home sometimes, but there has been snow at Sonora, and cool days up at Valhalla, so the cloak usually gets packed. But rain, snow, fog, heat, I go garbed, and am either comfortable, cold, or sweating like a beast.
I do usually have multiple garb options, and possible layers when it comes to the kids. I can handle a day in garb in 100+ weather, but I try to keep the kids as comfortable as possible, while being in the spirit of things.
I've heard comments around here (both local town area, and here on the forums) that when the faire gets warm, there don't seem to be as many nobles, as more people go peasant
What you see to the left is what I wear on the first day of the weekend of whatever faire I might be at. The only thing that has discouraged me what actual rain, because I don't want the leather to lose its form if I can help it.
From before open to after close, around 90 extra pounds, usually in 90 + degree heat. And up and down hills and/or stair cases, depending on the faire. The hill at the slide at Maryland is a killer the third or fourth time up it towards the end of the day. THe ramp from the upper to the lower areas of Sterling can look threatening too.
What is it that my sister used to say about her shoes? Fashion over comfort!!
We wear our regular garb. I make our garb to accomodate the normal climate changes in Texas by using a lot of cottons/cotton blends and silk...though I still sweat up a storm when it hits the 90's.
In case of snow, we have hooded capes to wear over our garb.
My sister, my daughters, and I have a couple of gowns (each) to choose from as well as Fairy garb. If it is going to be terribley hot and humid (as it can be here in Minnesota) then we just go as fairies- though we have misjudged that a couple of times and ended up frozen fairies! If it is cooler than 90 we will wear our noble garb and when we are smart or it is really cool we'll bring the cloaks as well. I love to have options! =D
I have come to just adjust my garb to the weather. This past weekend starting at Scarby cannon I was cold, by 2 pm the sun was out enough that I just carried it around. Then by 4-5ish the cool wind picked up, and I put it back on. My cape is 2 layers of microsuede with a layer of polar fleece sandwiched between it. Then trimed all nice and period-ish. I love it for wet and cold weekends. For hot and wet I have my wool suiting cloak. It is a 2 layers of wool suiting cloak that you can drape it just right so that it makes sort of a "dress" when you put a belt over the front panels. It's an adaptation of a very old cloak a friend of mine had.
Depending on the weather I will add or subtract layers. Like I keep saying, they is no bad day at faire due to weather. There are just days you fail to be prepared for the weather.
Like Dayves said, it is hard for some of us to have multiple outfits due to time and funds. This being the case, the majority of us are known by the Mistress of Costumes who does know us by sight. In case you are wondering...I wear three layers of wool. Part of my groups costume standards.
Kilts are good in most forms of weather, except the far end extremes. I wear a fly plaid that can be used as a short cloak if it gets a bit chilly. Most of the time at TRF, you worry more about dropping from the heat than freezing. If it gets TOO cold, a long sleeve t-shirt goes on under my Jacobite shirt... and rain i just ignore.
Fate has generally been kind to me in this area in that it has granted me a character that can adjust easily to the extremes of Texas.
As it stands now, the outfit is a poet's shirt, wrap pants, boots, hat, with an option of a fur parka, and.....after this last trip, a bison fur cape. By "story", I'm a sailor and adventurer, but by observation, onlookers have seen me as a hunter. So as I add to the outfit, I get things that are more to the story of the hunter such as fur and leather.
If it's hot, then the off white colors of the basic outfit. If it's cold, well, so far the fur parka has done quite nicely, being somewhat "Clint Eastwood" in its use, wearing it like a saddle blanket. That is, draping it over my top, my hands and camera covered by it, but when it comes time to shoot, it moves easily out of the way. I got the bison cape as something to ease the wear and tear on the parka.....and trying that on last week, one QUICKLY feels how WARM that thing is. While it only covers the back, the sales staff told me that since it covers the spine, that is what is important..............though I might look into making myself a rabbit fur vest.
Hand wise.....that's still under research since they need to be available to use the camera.
Saturday morning at TRF, the temp was 29 degrees when we parked the car.
Cloaks, gloves, chocolate muffins and Spanish brandy.
We always camp so we can have options depending on the day. At Sherwood last year it went from 80 degrees on Friday to rainy 30-40 on Saturday. Layers are the way to go.
I try to have an alternative, depending on what the weather is doing though its kind of depressing if I cant wear the first choice.
I've got a cloak for the cold, and layer less/ wear short sleeves when it's exceptionally hot. My next project is a gown, which will be worn in the autumn months, as it tends to get humid in my neck of the woods in July and August.
I usually wear a leather jerkin, cotton pants, my tall boots and lots of weapons. If it would ever get cold i have a kick weed puller leather cape I made. I wear my garb year round and the cape comes out, out of faire season. I like it but most people, most recently my ex, say I dress like a freak. (maybe that's why she is the ex).
I would love a cold weather faire to wear some of my other garb like maybe a shirt. Oh and the cloak.
Jay Byrd
I have cotton gauze that I dyed to match my bodices for my gowns for warm weather. I have the same gowns in velvets for cold weather. I can layer under them. My Evil pirate twin has cotton gauze and heavier garb too. we are set for almost any weather.
I've almost never had a problem with the weather being too cold. I usually go to TRF and the Kansas City faire. Weather for every time I've been has been mild usually, but I went to opening weekend once at TRF and oh my god I almost died of the heat! I had on black boots, my belt and sword, and a thin dress. That's the only time I have ever wanted to leave a faire early :P
My garb now has removable long sleeves. This past time at TRF over the Thanksgiving break, it was so cold! I was very glad to have my long heavy sleeves but regretted my short skirt in the front (it's longer in the back) First time I've ever been cold at faire. The only thing I change now for the weather is the choice of long or no sleeves. But, I'd much rather freeze than sweat
Scarby(april may in TX for those who don't know) is usually warm enough that my garb is totally comfortable (bellydancer stuff and cropped bodices and what not)...If I wake up to cold weather I usually borrow a cloak or something (hopefully I'll have made my own by april). Usually by about 1 I don't want it anymore and take it to the car...The one time I did go noble it was early in the season and it wasn't bad temperature wise. I haven't made it to TRF in years and I wasn't garbed when i went, and GARF (my brothers home faire) is may june I believe so weather is about the same as what I'm used to. I've yet to go garbed to any winter faires...but I'm sure I'd have to make some serious changes
I change my garb depending on the weather. I adjust short vs long sleeves, type of fabric, doublet with or without sleeves etc. If there is rain or cold I always have a Half Moon cape handy. They are wonderful for the later weeks of MNRF.
I do have dresses that are different weights of fabric and different numbers of layers for wear in different temps. Like the black velvet that came out for TRF closing (50 degrees) but is rarely seen in May at Scarby (100 degrees).
Garb-wise, I tend to wear what I normally wear (doublet, shirt, tights, boots) and then add what I need for the weather. I have added thermal uppers and lowers for the really cold days along with a cloak as that helps with the wind. I still remember one weekend at OhRF back in 2000 (first weekend in October) that had a high temperature of maybe 40 with snow flurries, and I was fine with my garb after I added a pair of leather gauntlets along with the thermals and the cloak.
Hi Lady Renee - for us it all depends on the time of day we go to the faire. Bristol is always in the summer so, if it's going to be a 90 degree day with a heat index of 100+ then we know to go first thing in the morning and leave by noon and return late afternoon around 4:00 PM. We are fairly close to the faire so, we can come and go depending on the weather. As for the garb, I wear either linen smock underneath my gown or a linen partlet which is great for wicking away the sweat. I also drop a cold pack in the back of my gown and lace it up and I am good for two hours or so.