With less than 75 days to go before I get married I now have to figure out a ren fair costume in a shorter period of time. I need something simple and functional but not too frou-frou. I actually thought of doing a Shek costume as it suits my physique. Any advice would be appreciated.
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I have some chain mail you can borrow. Ya might wanna bulk up a little tho, the shirt weighs about 45lbs.
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!
Uh, you don’t know me do you 
I do appreciate the offer but I think shipping 45lb of metal to Arizona might be a bit costly.
Lady Godiva is out?
I’d start with any costume places in your area. They should be able to outfit you on the spot, or order something appropriate. Feel free to e-mail me as well, I’ve worked for a renaissance faire for over 15 years. I’d like to think I’ve picked up a few tricks. 
I usually wear a kilt (to the Texas RenFest). The lack of pockets is the only fuctionality limitation, I find.
Padeye is so not a lady
The web site is appalling, but you can get reasonably inexpensive, decent quality clothes at Howdy to Your Face
Padeye, is this something you want to own, or something you want to rent/borrow?
That’s why the Scots invented the sporran…and most people don’t notice if you wear a 100% modern sporran with your period belted plaid.
I would have gotten one, but they were all out when I bought mine on the last weekend of the TexRenFest…at least I got a cool blue & grey color. I’ll have to look for a matching sporran…
Two items - look on eBay. Search on SCA. Also, regarding the lack of kilt pockets, go for a utilikilt:
Some guys can pull off the kilt look but I don’t thik I’m one of them. Thanks for the resources. I think I’ll be able to cobble something together. Both LadyLion and I sew so (I didn’t say I was good, I just can) we may be able to do something ourselves.
Padeye, are you familiar with the SCA? The local chapter might be able to help you get some garb, or at least help with patterns and such.
In the Phoenix area, there are several groups:
Barony of Atenveldt - Central Metro Phoenix, AZ
http://www.atenveldt.com/localgroups/atenveldt.htm
Barony of Twin Moons - East Metro Phoenix, AZ
http://www.atenveldt.com/localgroups/twin_moons.htm
Barony of Sun Dragon - West Metro Phoenix, AZ
http://www.atenveldt.com/localgroups/sundragon.htm
Congrats, by the way!
Utilikilts look dumb as garb (like wearing bluejeans and a cloak and insisting that you look authentic), and for modern dress, I prefer my traditional wool tartan kilts. The sporran holds my wallet and car keys just fine.
If Padeye doesn’t want a kilt, that’s his choice - they aren’t for everyone. The hardest thing about any period costume is going to be footwear anyway.
My first advice - figure out what time period you are aiming for, and do some research on what folks actually wore in that time. Most Ren-Faires are set in the late 16th century, but I’ve seen people at Scarborough Faire and the Texas Renaissance Festival dressed in everything from Roman Legionairre armor to 10th century Viking costume to early 18th century garb. Not to mention the “fantasy” type costumes that look like they wandered off the set of a Conan copycat movie.
Maybe something reminiscent of Lord of the Rings might be stylish this year?
Why Ren fair? Why are there no Stimpy fairs? Thats not very fair at all.
Because he’s such an EEEEDIOT! He makes my flesh crawl!
Good hijack
You could also try calling the RenFaire office. Ours had (its been years since I had anything to do with them) loaner costumes, can refer you to a seamstress, or could refer you to someone who could loan you something for the day.
Likewise, calling your local SCA should result in someone being able to loan you something appropriate, if you don’t want to sew. SCA groups often have sub-groups for costuming (garb in SCASpeak), you could find out if, when and where in your area and show up - someone will help you out. Or even loan you something you could use for a pattern.