I’m going to the Michigan Renaissance Festival this Saturday (i.e. tomorrow). I have some garb and am planning to wear it (almost if not all of my friends will be in garb as well).
I have only gone to the RenFest once before, so I’m quite excited. I am not overly concerned about being extremely accurate in my costume, I’d rather concentrate on having a good time. 
I have a black underdress that has the wide gathered neckline. I have a bodice that is reversible; one side is black and the other is burgundy.
The basic style can be found here. It has the pointed bottom and whatnot (except that picture has a rather “baggy” looking bodice, mine is intended to be quite snug), but for my costume the sleeves are part of the dress, not the bodice.
Now, is that bodice supposed to be worn differently than the Bavarian bodice? They look rather similar, but the Bavarian bodice is supposed to have a 4-6" gap at the top of the lacing. Is that how I should wear mine, or should mine be relatively tightly laced at the top? I’m a bit confused because the picture that looks most like mine is baggy, but the Bavarian bodice is very snug, the way mine is supposed to be.
And should I wear the burgundy for contrast, or the black for a sleek(ish) look?
Unfortunately I can’t go barefoot; I’d be more comfortable and it’d be fitting. I’m just going to wear basic black sandals and be done with it. If it doesn’t rain, I might bring a parasol. I know it’s completely out of costume to have a Chinese parasol (an obviously Chinese parasol in terms of how it’s decorated and the structure) for a low-class Renaissance costume, but I’m whiter than a fish’s belly and I’ll burn even with sunblock. I hope that I can bring it and it’ll survive.
So, fellow Faire-going Dopers, any advice or comments about aspects of my outfit? I’d really like some input. 
I’d say to lace it up tightly to enhance your bosoms and wear no underclothes.
Whaaa-aat?
Quit lookin’ at me like I’m a perv!
After four years of working at the local Ren Faire, 3 of which were at the costume shop, most of us wear them laced as tightly as possible. It will loosen as you wear it and keeping it tight will keep your jiggly bits less jiggly.
Also the site with the Bavarian Bodice says that it is designed to have that gap (it’s probably more of a V in the front than 2 straight sides that lace). If your bodice is straight and you tried to keep it a bit open in a V, it will loosen up to an equal gap all down the lacing.
I prefer the contrasting look, but whatever you think looks better. My experience is that all black in AZ is a baaaaad thing; Michigan is probaby much cooler & less oppressive sun-wise.
Don’t worry about being out of costume. That’s for the folks that work there. Besides, depending on how “authentic” Michigan is, you’ll probably fit right in (unless, of course, you wear sneakers or sunglasses–that screams “patron” more than a flashing neon sign). Bring the parasol! Wear comfy shoes, too! Most of all have fun!
Hope that helps!
FWIW, black is not considered appropriate for peasant garb - on the other hand, as Harleen pointed out, a Renaissance Faire is for fun, not necessarily for accuracy - hell, I’ve seen everything from unbelievable historical accuracy to medieval garb, Southern Belle costumes, fairies, elves, and vampires. And, if Michigan is anything like Bristol (So. Wisconsin), you’d fit in just fine in sneakers and sunglasses, too.
Oh, I know, LifeOnWry. Black would have been hideously expensive for the amount (and type) of dye needed for a true black garment. That’s why I added the note about not being worried about being truly historically accurate.
Actually, from people I know who’ve been to both, Michigan’s Ren Fest is more commercialised than Bristol’s. 
The ratio of people wearing garb to people in street clothes (in Michigan’s) is about 50/50. This mainly means that everyone in garb gets asked questions, whether or not you actually work there.
Oh, and just for GrizzRich: I’m a 36 DD (almost E) as it is without my bodice. It can be quite startling with the uh, girls, out on display like that. 
I’m actually having trouble imagining a Faire more commercialized than Bristol. <geezer mode on> Why, I remember way back when it was King Richard’s Faire, and you never SAW a paper cup or fringed moccasins. <geezer mode off> Commercial though it may be, I do adore going.
And because I was not endowed with a loverly set o’ coconuts. I lace my bodice ALL the way tight, so’s people can actually tell I’m a girl 
Or, I go in drag - I make quite the dashing young cavalier…
(Psst…zweisamkeit, if I ever decide to get that boob job, can I put your name down as a potential donor?)
Since I am by profession, a costume designer, I may be of some help, probably no more than the others have already been, but Anyway, when there is a gap between the sides of the bodice, as long as the garment is not worn directly over the skin (this can cause a rather unsightly effect known as Albrighting-just check out the way Madeline’s suits look as they are buckling at the sides), it gives a certain look of tension which is desirable if one is busty because it looks as though the ‘vest’ is straining to contain that which is in it. It is important, however, that the fronts of the corset or ‘bodice’ are boned, otherwise, they’ll just ripple in an unsightly fashion.
In most cases, black is considered inappropriate unless one is in mourning.
is that you in the photo? if so, you could be my sister except that I have red hair.
Take 'em, wry! I get so sick of them! Uh, put it this way: if I lace the bodice as tightly as I can, I can balance a beverage-filled cup on them (it’s not completely stable, but hey!). Oy.
Thanks for everyone’s input. I think I will go with the burgundy for contrast, and so it’s not completely black (for the mourning look). I wish I had more money to get more garb (or even fabric to use for the garb patterns I have).
