If you choose to attend a Renaissance Faire as purely an observer, rest easily. There is no specific dress code. Flat, comfortable shoes and easy to wear clothes will make your journey more pleasant. BUT—You may find more memorable enjoyment in adopting a character and dressing the part. A easy way of getting into the mood, is through imaginative use of clothing that you probably already have at home.

But before you let your imagination run rampant, let us suggest that your first step into the Renaissance world be a simple, reasonably inexpensive one. Peasantry. Peasants came in many varieties. Washer woman, sailor, pirate, merchant, monger (the village crazy people), cook, seamstress, brewer, puritan (religious zealot), bar maid, farmer, blacksmith, minstrel and jester all fell into this category. Peasants were the highly visible, working class backbone of the renaissance period and their dress, accessories and public personae strongly reflected their occupation and station in life. When choosing a character for Faire you can go with your type: Examples. If a woman is a quiet observer she would do well in the role of a merchant's wife or seamstress--If she is bold and outgoing, she'd better be suited to the role of a minstrel or bar maid. A man who lifts weights would prove a convincing blacksmith and a brash impulsive man would do well as a pirate. Or, you can chose to live through a fantasy character of your choosing.

PEASANT ATTIRE.

MEN… A typical man’s outfit of the period would include boots, breeches (pants), a shirt, jerkin (vest), and a hat. Shirts were long sleeved and full bodied with drawstring, high collar, drop collar, or no collar. Have fun guys-Give the wenches a treat. Create a cod piece and wear it with confidence.If your on budget, guys can wear a free fitting shirt with a vest and loose fitting solid color pants cut off just below the knee. Always keep your legs covered with knee high stockings, knee high boots or moccasins (no fringe). Leather scandals are always a viable alternative. Accessorize with tools of your trade.

WOMEN - A typical woman's outfit would be over and under skirts of different colors, a full, lowing shirt, a bodice and inside skim. Do not substitute a chemise for a second skin or apron. Chemises should be long sleeved and full bodied. Drawstring, high collared, drop collared and no collar shims are all acceptable. Skirts must be full and below the ankle. Trick: Wear two skirts the same length and tuck one up into the waist. If you're on a budget wear a loose fitting gauzy dress in natural color, an embroidered or lacy vest, leather scandals and a floral garland in your hair. Other footwear: Birkenstocks, Mayjanes, or Kung Fu slippers.

Choose colors that are earth tones such as shades of : browns, gold's, rusts. Avoid bright reds, fluorescent and other bright colors or pastel shades. These are modern colors. Fabrics should be rough natural such as wool, woven cotton, raw silk, flax, leather and linen. Wearing different textures together creates a good look. DO NOT use prints, velour, sheers, gingham, seersucker, or 100% polyester.

CHILDREN Until the age of three all children wear long shifts and a muslin cloth cap (biggins). Older children dress as smaller versions of the adults.

HATS: "Everyone" wears a hat. Hat's should have a 16th century look to them such as muffin caps, biggins or straw hats.

Make a statement with your accessories. Carry a tankard and a pouch. Once you decide who you are make your character visually interesting by carrying the tools of your trade. A cobbler might have a small hammer and awe in his belt. A seamstress could carry a pouch filled with cloth and yarn.

NOBILITY

For those of you with dreams of power and money to spare chose the role of nobility.

Clothing of the Renaissance period always reflected social status and was a powerful statement about the wealth or occupation of the wearer. At a quick glance anyone could tell a middle class merchant from a peasant or a noble. Nobility made their presence known through extensive use of expensive black fabrics. (Black dye was difficult to get and phenomenally expensive.) Processed fabrics such as Velvet, satin tapestry, brocades, corduroy, etc. were costly and therefor reserved for upper class and nobility. During the Renaissance period red, created by crushing thousands of a certain type ant, was very expensive. Purple, extracted by crushing thousands of tiny sea snails, was reserved only for the Queen.

Planning ahead makes for a better Faire experience, so check our market place for the"Costume suppliers" who will assist you in creating your character; or if your are interested in making your own costume look to our rogues gallery in the Town Crier for links leading to web sites who will share information on patterns and fabrics. Although costumes may be available through costume rental shops in your area, most of the larger Faires have costume shops where you can rent a costume for the day. Prices start at approximately $30 U.S. depending on the quality. You can also buy costumes at most Faires.

The next step in creating your character is learning the language of the time.

Next learn to speak Elizabethan