Costumes
Renaissance Festival Costumes – Where Should You Begin?
Renaissance Festival season is here, and that means it’s time to think about costumes! While wearing a costume isn’t mandatory at these festivals, it certainly enhances the magical and immersive experience as we talk about in Why Wear A Costume At The Renaissance Festival and Creating Your Renaissance Character. So, where should you begin? Our website […]
5 Reasons You Can’t Miss the Central Coast Renaissance Festival
Step into a world where knights test their skills in combat, troubadours serenade, and artisans craft with skill and passion. The Central Coast Renaissance Festival is back on July 20 & 21 at San Luis Obispo’s beautiful Laguna Lake Park. Here are five compelling reasons why it’s an event you absolutely can’t afford to miss […]
Creating Your Renaissance Character
The Central Coast Renaissance Festival is a vibrant celebration of history, culture, and creativity. One of the most exciting aspects of this festival is the opportunity to get a costume and develop a character from that era. Whether you are a participant or paid guest, creating a Renaissance character makes your visit so much more […]
The Emergence of the Plague Doctor
During the bubonic plague outbreaks in Elizabethan England, the role of the “plague doctor” emerged. These were physicians who were tasked with treating those who had contracted the disease, but also with trying to prevent its spread. However, it is important to note that the term “plague doctor” was not commonly used during the Elizabethan […]
A Look at Breasts and Modesty Throughout History
No pun intended, OK? Alright, moving on . . . The Central Coast Renaissance Festival, and most Renaissance Faires and Festivals, attempt to simulate what it might have been like in Europe 450 years ago. We get some things right, but honestly, we are off base on a few. That’s OK. It’s all in the […]
Renaissance festival hairstyles for women: a guide to peasant, middle class, and noble styles
During the Renaissance era, hair was considered an essential element of women’s fashion, and different hairstyles were adopted by women of different classes. The peasant, middle class, and nobility all had their unique styles, which reflected their social status and lifestyle. Middle-class women, on the other hand, had more resources and time to devote to […]
From Historically Accurate to Fantastical: The Rich Variety of Festival Costumes
The festival is a great place to see a variety of costumes and fashions, ranging from historically accurate garb to imaginative interpretations of Renaissance style. Here are some of the different types of costumes and fashions you might see: Historical Accuracy: Some festival-goers take great care to create historically accurate costumes that are representative of […]
A Short History of The Ruff
The ruff is a type of collar that was a prominent feature of Renaissance dress. Its history can be traced back to the 16th century in Europe, when it became a fashionable accessory for both men and women. The exact origins of the ruff are not known, but it is believed to have evolved from […]
Why Wear A Costume At The Renaissance Festival?
Costuming is an important aspect of the Renaissance Festival and plays a significant role in creating an immersive experience for attendees. Whether you’re a seasoned participant or attending for the first time, selecting the right costume can enhance your enjoyment of the event and help you feel as though you have stepped back in time. […]
Children At The Renaissance Festival
Costumes and Dress-Up: Children often enjoy dressing up in costumes and playing make-believe. Renaissance festivals offer an opportunity for children to dress up as knights, princesses, fairies, and other characters from the period, which can be a fun and engaging way for them to participate in the event.
The Danse Macabre
Several times a day you’ll see a strange parade of characters in black with skeleton masks. What is going on? It’s the Dance Macabre. In the Danse Macabre, or Dance of Death, skeletons escort living humans to their graves in a lively waltz. Kings, knights, and commoners alike join in, conveying that regardless of status, […]
How Did People Dress In Renaissance England?
What was popular in Renaissance clothing in the 16th century? Women Every woman’s outfit, from lower class to royalty, included a shift which was a loose, linen smock. During this time, bathing was frowned upon and clothing was very expensive so this was worn to protect the gown. They would also wear stockings, which were […]
$3,625 For a Shirt
(From the book Stuffocation: Why We’ve Had Enough Stuff and Need Experience More Than Ever) Think we have inflated prices today? A shirt, before the Industrial Revolution, would have been worth around $3,625 in today’s money! Take a standard medieval man’s shirt, long sleeves, yoke, some smocking, band collar, hemmed, wrists, etc. Estimate it takes 7 […]
Costuming For The Renaissance Festival
If this is your first visit to our Renaissance Festival you probably won’t be in costume, and that is perfectly fine. However, if the Renaissance spirit grabs you, you’ll soon be longing for a costume to be more a part of the fantasy. Starting as a peasant is a good first step, as the clothes […]
Renaissance and Tudor Festivals
Renaissance and Tudor Festivals By Rachael Cox and Hayley Amber Cox Renaissance festivals, Medieval fairs, Tudor theme days. Whatever you call them, they are an increasingly popular event seen up and down the land in the spring and summer months. My new found passion for authentic Tudor costume led me to the discovery of the exciting […]
Renaissance Faire Costumes – Were There Any Women Pirates in Renaissance England?
By Philip Wynne You bet! They were most definitely in the minority but they were never the less there and very able. So don’t worry about sacrificing your well established credibility among your fellow renaissance faire friends when you buy a really cool and very authentic pirate costume…one you wanted bad, you wanted real bad! […]
Renaissance Festival Jewelry And Its Significance
Renaissance Festival Jewelry And Its Significance By David Lawson Renaissance jewelry was worn as a means of decoration, but had lots of meaning as well. Much of the inspiration behind these works of art were nature, life experiences and religion. Some of them were very simple depending on the gems and stones that were used, […]
Costuming at a Renaissance Festival When You’re VERY Pregnant and Wanting to Look Your Best
Costuming at a Renaissance Festival When You’re VERY Pregnant and Wanting to Look Your Best By Matt Scho My husband and I attend the local renaissance festival every year, often going three or four times a season. We have four young children and it would seem I’ve been very pregnant for the last ren fairs. […]
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