Authentic Renaissance Costumes
When shopping for Renaissance costumes it helps to decide what type of character you want to portray. During the Renaissance era, clothing reflected a person’s social class. Noble people dressed very differently from working people and peasants. Wealth was conveyed through clothing, with the fabric and cut of a garment making a statement about the financed of its wearer. Rich fabrics like velvet, silk and brocade were very expensive and were limited to the wardrobes of royals and the wealthy.
Most Renaissance costumes depict common working people and peasants. This type of costume is relatively easy to sew or can be purchases ready-made. The fabric used for a peasant costume should be natural and non-synthetic. Cotton was not common in Renaissance times and common people wore wool and linen. However, cotton has become an accepted fabric for Renaissance costumes.
Renaissance costumes for common people should be limited to earthtones, including greens, golds, rusts, browns and tans. Bright neon colors aren’t historically accurate, and purple, black and white were reserved for royalty and the upper class.
Men’s Costumes
These are the items to include in men’s Renaissance Costumes:
- Shirt and Jerkin.The shirt should be long and loose-fitting with long sleeves. A sleeveless vest, or jerkin, can be worn over the shirt.
- Breeches and Hose.Pants should be full and no longer than knee length. Hose (or socks) should be worn to the knee. The legs of peasant men were never bare.
- Accessories can include a leather belt, a hanging pouch and a soft hat. Shoes were leather slip-ons.
Women’s Renaissance Costumes
Women’s Renaissance costumes should include these items:
- Chemise. This garment is a long shirt similar to a man’s. For accuracy, it should have long sleeves and was never worn off the shoulders.
- Skirt. A long full was worn. Some women wore two skirts and tucked up the top one to show the undershirt. The skirt should be plain with no ruffles or flounces.
- Corset Bodice.A tight-fitting, sleeveless short vest was worn over the chemise. It usually laced up the front.
- Hose. Just like men, women wore hose that came to the knees.
- Accessories can include a simple apron over the skirt and a light kerchief to cover the hair. Women’s shoes were the same as men’s – leather slip-ons.
Because of the popularity of Renaissance Faires and historical re-enactment, there are many places to buy Renaissance costumes. There are also many informational resources and even historically accurate patterns for making your own Renaissance costumes.
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Renaissance festival costumes have historic roots. It comes from the Renaissance-era clothing characterize by rich details, striking hues, leather, velvet, and silk fabric.