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To the Faire! Ren Faire Garb

After many years of being away, I'm planning a trip with friends to the Texas Renaissance Faire. It's been a good 5 or 6 years since I've been there. My first true Ren Faire was at my undergraduate school Grand Valley State University and I made a dress with my mom's help. (We used a commercial pattern.)  

First Ren Faire 20+ years ago!

 First Ren Faire Costume Considerations

The two biggest things to know about Ren Faires are that they are an outdoor venue with lots of walking. Just like any county fair if you think about it. Also, it is important to note that dressing up in garb or costume is OPTIONAL. It is not a requirement although it is very fun. 

If you do want to wear something special, you need to consider: 

  • Weather Conditions - based on what region you are in. It's HOT where I am, but you may be blessed with chilly fall weather.
  • Time Budget - how long do you have before the Faire?
  • Funds Budget - how much do you want to spend or can you spend?
  • Comfort - Will you be warm/cool enough? How long can you walk or stand in those shoes? How challenging is it to use the restroom...or get into a restroom? Can you breathe?
  • Carrying Capacity - You know you will be shopping, right? Do you have a convenient way to carry your phone, wallet, and other modern supplies? 
  • It will get Dirty - dirt paths, dust, pollen, or saucy foods, you are likely to get something on your costume. It adds to authenticity, but you may want to wear a bib to protect your fancy embroidery.

Garb vs. Costume

There's a slight connotation difference between the term garb and costume. 

  • Garb - a reconstruction or recreation of a historical/cultural outfit. 
  • Costume - an outfit that makes you resemble something or someone else.  
So technically, garb IS a costume, but with more steps. Garb (in this sense) is associated with more accurate recreation, so there are often strict guidelines for garb. 
This is a costume...not garb.

Your First Garb

If you are not part of the cast or SCA, the strictness is more relaxed. You are your own judge. The three major points you'll want to consider for your garb are: 
  1. Time Period 
  2. Region
  3. Social Standing 
These will affect appropriate patterns, materials, and colors. For example, blue dye was very rare and very expensive. It was reserved for royalty and upper-class individuals. 

Most Ren Faire will have a "setting" or a general time period. The Renaissance itself started around the 1400s or 1500s. So a general rule of thumb is anything from those two centuries' works. The location, at least in the fairs I have been to, tends to be England or France or some part of Europe. 

You don't have to hold strictly to the time and location established by the Ren Faire cast. But it may help you with design decisions to pick either time period or region. You could be a Turkish soldier, a sailor from Carthage, a trader from China, or something. Look up some of your heritage and see what people from that region wore in the 1400s. 

There are plenty of commercial patterns and indie patterns available to help you with construction. You'll likely use a sewing machine which is not historically accurate, but at least you'll have it done on time.

Character Development

At one point I was looking into what it would take to join the SCA, which takes things very seriously. Part of the process was to develop a character that would need to be approved. Not unlike D&D. (I am truly addicted to making character sheets.) It required quite a bit of research (most of which can be done online nowadays) to come up with my fictional character. Some of what I had to come up with was where she was from, what she did, who her relatives were and their occupations, her religion, and where on the feudal ladder she sat. A simpler sheet would be name, age, occupation, country of origin, and marital status. 


However, the very, very first garb I ever made was when I was about 13 years old for school. The class would partake in a Medieval Feast for history class. Everyone had to pick a historical figure, write a report about their lives, and dress up in appropriate garb. I was Countess Marie of Champagne, daughter of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. In that project, I learned about the region she was from, the time period, and looked at illustrations of the dresses. My mom helped me make my own pattern and sew a dress out of blue velvet and faux fur. (So, still had to use some costume elements.)

The point of the story is: If you need guiding principles, find or make a character.

Would you Rather Cosplay?


Good news! Ren Faires are another stomping ground for fellow cosplayers too! Dress up as your D&D character, World of Warcraft, Dragon Age, Legend of Zelda, Lord of the Rings or Conan the Barbarian. All kinds of fantasy characters are welcomed at the fair. In fact, many faires will have themed weekends to help with costume suggestions. Common themes include: 
  • Barbarians
  • Vikings
  • Pirates
  • Fairies
  • Halloween
  • Celtic
  • Fantasy
  • Octoberfest
  • Roman/Greek
  • Robin Hood
  • Masquerade 
Just to name a few. 

Remember to Enjoy the Faire

 Wandering around the Ren Faire and seeing everyone else in costume will certainly give you some inspiration. In some places you can rent a costume at the faire so you don't have to worry about making your own. But let's be real, it's way more fun to make your own. And you can collect costume parts FROM the Faire too. 
Got the Bodice from the Ren Faire
Keep hydrated, protect your skin from the sun, and try not to spend too much on things you don't really need like yet another sword. (Okay that last one may be mostly for me. 😅) 
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