| While many people associate costumes with children | | | | era. Because it's not always easy to achieve historical |
| and the Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating, | | | | accuracy, it's helpful to find a merchant who can |
| increasing numbers of adults are rediscovering the joy | | | | reliably guide you to the proper apparel and |
| that comes from dressing in period costumes. Thanks | | | | accessories. Thanks to the Internet, it's never been |
| to the influence of Renaissance Faires and the Society | | | | easier to find sources to help you in your quest. |
| for Creative Anachronism (SCA), adults are embracing | | | | For example, the best online stores will help women |
| costumes and accessories that hearken back to the | | | | find the right undergarments (like chemises, hoopskirts, |
| late Middle Ages and the Renaissance of the 14th | | | | bloomers, and corsets) to wear under their dresses, |
| through the 17th centuries. | | | | skirts, or ball gowns. Men can find everything from |
| Historic Celebrations | | | | vests and doublets to puffy-sleeved shirts and |
| During the Renaissance (which literally means "rebirth"), | | | | breeches. Pirate costumes, Scottish clothing and kilts, |
| shifting perspectives in philosophy, art, literature, | | | | and children's costumes are also available from the |
| science, and religion had a tremendous impact in | | | | right online Renaissance stores. |
| Europe, the effects of which are felt to this day. | | | | Accessories are a Must |
| Today's Renaissance Faires capture the essence of | | | | When you're dressing for a particular era, accessories |
| that time, with an abundance of music, entertainment, | | | | complete your look. For example, Renaissance clothing |
| art, and food that celebrate the eras in which they're | | | | tends not to have pockets, so a pouch is the perfect |
| set. While many Renaissance Faires are set in the | | | | accessory to carry your necessities. During the Middle |
| England's Elizabethan Era, others find their inspiration in | | | | Ages and Renaissance, hats were de rigueur, so you'll |
| the French Renaissance or in pirate themes of the18th | | | | need to find the proper cap, beret, snood, veil, or hood. |
| century. | | | | While well-choreographed battles are part of the |
| Similarly, the Society for Creative Anachronism honors | | | | Renaissance Faire experience, and SCA events are |
| the Middle Ages and Renaissance by researching and | | | | fraught with well-trained warriors, weaponry can also |
| creating personas who would have lived during those | | | | be a costume accessory. Accessory weapons don't |
| times. Artisans, combatants, cooks, and others diligently | | | | need to be functional; indeed, they must only fit in with |
| perfect their characters, and gather together - in SCA | | | | the era you're recreating. Look online to find sources |
| garb and sometimes with SCA armor - to celebrate | | | | of mini collector weapons, weapon carriers and belts, |
| with historical accuracy. | | | | and accessory swords. |
| Finding the Right Costumes | | | | Making Your Own |
| Whether you're attending a weekend Renaissance | | | | Once you begin attending Medieval or Renaissance |
| Faire or are steeped in the SCA culture, the right | | | | events, the chances are good that you'll want to |
| costumes enrich and enhance your experience. | | | | expand your wardrobe using techniques from the era. |
| Watching men battle with medieval swords or | | | | The best online sources offer an array of costume |
| attending a medieval wedding is simply more | | | | patterns for everything from Tudor and Elizabethan |
| meaningful when your appearance blends in with the | | | | gowns to corsets and tunics. |