# Ren fair costume needed **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 16, 2003, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917 "2003-01-16T04:37:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/1 "2003-01-16T04:37:54Z")
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. Mods: if this should be in IMHO or another forum feel free to move it. ---
**Author:** ![\_etalhea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/779978/32.png) [@\_etalhea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_etalhea)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/2 "2003-01-16T04:48:14Z")
I have some chain mail you can borrow. Ya might wanna bulk up a little tho, the shirt weighs about 45lbs. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/3 "2003-01-16T05:12:42Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by //\etalhea|) \* > \*\* Ya might wanna bulk up a little tho…_\* 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. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/4 "2003-01-16T05:28:15Z")
Lady Godiva is out? ---
**Author:** ![Jonno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f19dbf/32.png) [@Jonno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonno)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/5 "2003-01-16T05:28:59Z")
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. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/6 "2003-01-16T05:31:07Z")
I usually wear a kilt (to the Texas RenFest). The lack of pockets is the only fuctionality limitation, I find. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/7 "2003-01-16T05:32:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SmackFu \* > \*\*Lady Godiva is out? \*\* Padeye is so not a lady ---
**Author:** ![FisherQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/8 "2003-01-16T12:19:41Z")
The web site is appalling, but you can get reasonably inexpensive, decent quality clothes at [Howdy to Your Face](http://www.howdygarb.com) ---
**Author:** ![Woeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Woeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Woeg)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/9 "2003-01-16T13:13:18Z")
Padeye, is this something you want to own, or something you want to rent/borrow? ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/10 "2003-01-16T13:45:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by caveman \* > \*\*I usually wear a kilt (to the Texas RenFest). The lack of pockets is the only fuctionality limitation, I find. \*\* 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. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/11 "2003-01-16T14:36:16Z")
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… ---
**Author:** ![cybersnark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9e5f3/32.png) [@cybersnark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cybersnark)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/12 "2003-01-16T17:25:41Z")
Two items - look on eBay. Search on SCA. Also, regarding the lack of kilt pockets, go for a utilikilt: > **[Utilikilts | American made Utility Kilts for everyday wear](https://utilikilts.com/)** > > We are committed to pioneering a comfortable alternative to trousers by producing “Men’s Unbifurcated Garments” (MUG’s). Shop kilts on our online store! ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/13 "2003-01-16T17:40:23Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Woeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Woeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Woeg)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/14 "2003-01-16T17:45:12Z")
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](http://www.atenveldt.com/localgroups/atenveldt.htm) Barony of Twin Moons - East Metro Phoenix, AZ [http://www.atenveldt.com/localgroups/twin\_moons.htm](http://www.atenveldt.com/localgroups/twin_moons.htm) Barony of Sun Dragon - West Metro Phoenix, AZ [http://www.atenveldt.com/localgroups/sundragon.htm](http://www.atenveldt.com/localgroups/sundragon.htm) Congrats, by the way! ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/15 "2003-01-16T18:08:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cybersnark \* > \*\*Two items - look on eBay. Search on SCA. Also, regarding the lack of kilt pockets, go for a utilikilt: > > [http://www.utilikilts.com/](http://www.utilikilts.com/) \*\* 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? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/16 "2003-01-16T18:36:58Z")
Why Ren fair? Why are there no Stimpy fairs? Thats not very fair at all. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/17 "2003-01-16T18:59:24Z")
Because he’s such an EEEEDIOT! He makes my flesh crawl! Good hijack ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ren-fair-costume-needed/148917/18 "2003-01-16T20:53:15Z")
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.