This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Alexandrea Ciardella. Find her on Instagram at @a6ysma1. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Have you ever looked at other people’s Renaissance Fair costumes and thought; I wish I could dress up like them? Maybe you’ve tried to wear a costume before but felt that it didn’t quite hit the mark. Whether you want to casually dress up for a day at the Ren Fair or have been thinking about seriously cosplaying as a hobby, you have to start somewhere. From buying, to sewing, to thrifting, there are many ways you can assemble your costume. Here are some tips to help you create an easy Renaissance Fair costume.
Keep In Mind
When creating your Renaissance Fair outfit, pick clothes that are easy to move around in and won’t cause you to sweat, freeze, or generally be uncomfortable. If you do wear layers, make sure it’s something you wouldn’t mind carrying if you need to take it off (don’t show up in full metal armor!). And if it’s cold, don’t be afraid to bring a modern jacket with you if you can’t find a suitable period piece. It’s better to have your outfit clash than for you to freeze to death!
Buying A Costume
If you want to dress up for the Renaissance Fair but don’t have the time to hunt for clothes, start with buying premade outfits from sellers online. Places like Amazon have the option to buy outfits separately or together in a whole set, which may include things like jewelry. This option is great if you only want to dress up a few times, or if you’re looking for something to recycle as a Halloween costume. Though be mindful that cheaper items may be of cheaper quality.
There are also independent stores that sell more authentic (sometimes handmade!) clothes. This option is a bit more expensive compared to thrifting, but some stores offer custom-made options. They even go beyond the Renaissance period, offering clothes up to the Edwardian era. If you’re aiming for a more immersive look, consider adding functional or ornamental knight armor to your outfit—perfect for enhancing authenticity at the fair.
Sewing A Costume
Possibly the trickiest route for making a Renaissance Fair costume, making a costume by hand should only be attempted if you have experience in making clothes.
If you do want to add something you made yourself, a cloak is very easy to make with enough fabric and can be customizable. Taking a bolt of fabric, cut two quarter circles, while the radius/straight side of each quarter circle will be the length of your cloak once you put it on (I recommend anywhere from knee-length to floor-length. If you have a fabric tape measure, measure from the top of your shoulder to find out where the hem of the cloak will fall). Sew one side of each quarter to each other to create the seam that will go down the back. Cut out a half-circle where your neck will be (where the center of the circle would be; the radius should be about 6 inches from the center, or 12 inches in diameter).
For the hood, I’m just going to provide a photo of what you should cut out below (as you can see, it would be a bit difficult describing how to cut this out!). Remember to flip the pattern if you’re using fabric that is textured on only one side. The neckline should be as long as the half circle you cut out earlier.
Thrifting A Costume
Thrifting a costume for the Renaissance Fair is the best of both worlds; you can buy something that’s already made and, if need be, you can make minor adjustments to suit the style you’re going for.
If you want to go for a peasant look, look for blouses that are long-sleeved, plain, and come in a white or off-white color. If you want to go for a feminine look, find a long skirt or dress and pair it with a bodice (like a corset but with straps) both in earthy or muted tones. If you can, try layering two skirts on top of each other for more texture. Find clothes that are made of wool, cotton, leather, or linen, as these were the most commonly available fabrics at the time. Other period appropriate fabrics include silk, satin, and velvet, though these were normally reserved for the upper class and royalty (but honestly, make whatever you want, nobody’s really going to fault you for wearing velvet with a peasant costume). Adding accessories like belts, sashes, hats, gloves, or scarves. Belts can go around the waist or over the shoulder, sashes can add a pop off color if you decide to go for a muted look.
The shoes are just as important as the outfit itself, as they can determine how your day at the Renaissance Fair goes. Wearing something uncomfortable for a long time can lead to blisters and make it difficult for you to walk around and enjoy your day out. For instance, my group of friends decided that we would dress up for the Ren Faire one year and one of my close friends chose to wear heeled sandals that day. After half an hour, she was already having difficulty walking around, and after an hour she was hanging onto my arm as I supported her for the rest of the day! Like I mentioned above, don’t be afraid to wear sneakers with your outfit if you have to; it’s better to be unfashionable than uncomfortable.
Do you have any ideas for an easy Renaissance Fair costume? Let us know in the comments down below!
Leave a Reply