People dress up in a variety of ways for the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, from very authentic to the time period, to very fanciful like pirates and fairies. It's fun to think of a character that you might have been, and dress up like them. Were you a Lady or Lord? Or were you a peasant or pirate? It's up to you to decide!
To dress up authentically for Renaissance Faire, you will want to look for clothes that are made of linen, rough fibers or leather (cotton will do in a pinch but is not authentic).
For kids you will want a a natural fiber shirt and either simple pants (for boys) or a long skirt (for girls).
Here are some pictures of kids in simple authentic costumes:
To dress up authentically for Renaissance Faire, you will want to look for clothes that are made of linen, rough fibers or leather (cotton will do in a pinch but is not authentic).
For kids you will want a a natural fiber shirt and either simple pants (for boys) or a long skirt (for girls).
Here are some pictures of kids in simple authentic costumes:
Some great authentic videos on the general period (and many on authentic costume making) are at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/renlightenment/videos
Here are some costume basics:
The basic girl's costume is a chemise and a long skirt.
The basic boy's (or girl's) costume is a t-tunic or plain linen shirt, and plain pants (no zippers or buttons).
Both tie a leather or rope belt and wear boots or simple leather shoes.
The rest of these links are not as educational as they are fun in order from easiest, to advanced. Remember it doesn't have to be entirely authentic to participate!
EASIEST - NO SEWING
Here's how to do a man's/boy's costume from a polo shirt / sweat pants - this is a great way to do a costume!:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7LdmggyEF4
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrq06tzqGTM
Bottom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5i6wpRZ0sU
Here's another one with a T-shirt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaH6v70h3ys
MEDIUM - SOME SEWING
How to make a basic t-tunic: http://www.amtgard-wl.com/library/howtos/how2tunic.pdf
How to make a cloak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Xu1tnA0DE
A pirate costume with a cool hat - ideas can be easily adapted for ren faire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvopk72Bx3Y
ADVANCED - SEWING
Here's a simple T-Tunic (more advanced - SEWING)
http://www.amtgard-wl.com/library/howtos/how2tunic.pdf
Here's a more authentic chemise (1 of 3 parts):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE_dqOE4wFs
There are tons more resources online, but just remember to use your imagination!
http://www.youtube.com/user/renlightenment/videos
Here are some costume basics:
The basic girl's costume is a chemise and a long skirt.
The basic boy's (or girl's) costume is a t-tunic or plain linen shirt, and plain pants (no zippers or buttons).
Both tie a leather or rope belt and wear boots or simple leather shoes.
The rest of these links are not as educational as they are fun in order from easiest, to advanced. Remember it doesn't have to be entirely authentic to participate!
EASIEST - NO SEWING
Here's how to do a man's/boy's costume from a polo shirt / sweat pants - this is a great way to do a costume!:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7LdmggyEF4
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrq06tzqGTM
Bottom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5i6wpRZ0sU
Here's another one with a T-shirt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaH6v70h3ys
MEDIUM - SOME SEWING
How to make a basic t-tunic: http://www.amtgard-wl.com/library/howtos/how2tunic.pdf
How to make a cloak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Xu1tnA0DE
A pirate costume with a cool hat - ideas can be easily adapted for ren faire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvopk72Bx3Y
ADVANCED - SEWING
Here's a simple T-Tunic (more advanced - SEWING)
http://www.amtgard-wl.com/library/howtos/how2tunic.pdf
Here's a more authentic chemise (1 of 3 parts):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE_dqOE4wFs
There are tons more resources online, but just remember to use your imagination!