So just how 'great' is Great?

[Santa Wally]

My 2 cents;







But really, if you hang around the right people nobody gives a damn what you look like

I'm impressed with the buildings on the street in the first photo. Looks like a great Faire. Am I to assume it's in Texas?

Looks like you found the "right people" in the second photo.

[T-Bone]

Basically at faire one is either in "garb", ie; some kind of 'ye olde fantasy' getup, or one is in "mundanes" which are plain street clothes. As far as "fitting in", Nobody at faire, at least nobody you want to know, is gonna look down on your garb if you are making an effort.

But really, if you hang around the right people nobody gives a damn what you look like

***

I've been to a few and have seen some VERY interesting garb...i.e.suit of armour made of carboard boxes and aluminum foil.

I used to be in the SCA, think ren faire for members only. I made a great kilt myself. Wool yardage in fashion plaid/tartan can be purchased at you local fabric store for around $7-8/yard. Get 3-4 yards, hem the ends (or don't), and belt it on. At that price, I didn't mind having mead or mud splashed on it. I wore a Rob Roy sporran with it and used a penannular broach to hold it together up on my shoulder.

T

[Zardoz]

I'm impressed with the buildings on the street in the first photo. Looks like a great Faire. Am I to assume it's in Texas?

Yessir, those are some shops at the Texas Renaissanse Festival.

http://www.texrenfest.com/

[Captain_Cogle]

Kind of negates the entire "historical" aspect. Why not just call it a fantasy fair instead of a Ren Fair?

[Woodsheal]

Kind of negates the entire "historical" aspect. Why not just call it a fantasy fair instead of a Ren Fair?

They should, because that's what they've become!

Personally, I can't go to a "history" oriented event or setting without attempting to look proper to the period. Belted plaids ("great kilts") are correct for the timeframe of the 1580s-90s, so that's what I wear (not that you'd see many in an English town of those days, but no matter!).

Sometimes you can strike it lucky by making a trip to local fabric stores. I once bought five yards of muted-toned, non-clan tartan, 100% wool - for $5.00 a yard...!

[Zardoz]

Kind of negates the entire "historical" aspect. Why not just call it a fantasy fair instead of a Ren Fair?

Well, some faires do. For what it's worth, over the almost 50 years renfaires have been popular in the US, "Renaissance Faire" has come to be a generic term to easily describe such events, even ones that are not 'set' in the early 16th to early 17th century.
I think in this context it's important to understand that Faire is about fun and entertainment, not history lessons or reenactment.

[Highlander31]

...
But really, if you hang around the right people nobody gives a damn what you look like

Bravo Z...
Once again, you have made the point with your usual style. One of the reasons I always look forward to your posts.

[Captain_Cogle]

Well, some faires do. For what it's worth, over the almost 50 years renfaires have been popular in the US, "Renaissance Faire" has come to be a generic term to easily describe such events, even ones that are not 'set' in the early 16th to early 17th century.
I think in this context it's important to understand that Faire is about fun and entertainment, not history lessons or reenactment.

Then it remains a mis-representation that NO ONE is served by when calling it a Renaissance Fair. A mis-representation only serves to spread ignorance of a period that is already overlooked and mis-understood.

I have been reenacting various eras for over 16 years and have much to my grated nerves dismay participated with my English Civil War group at many a "Ren Fair" despite the fact that the English Civil War is after the end of the Renaissance, and have always been disappointed and often disgusted by the "historical" impressions there.

Now dont take me the wrong way. I am a guy who LOVES fantasy, my wedding ring is a copy of "The One Ring" from Lord of the Rings and we had "They're taking the Hobbits to Isengard" played as a dance song at our reception. But I take history and my historical impressions quite seriously and I feel no one is served by guys clowning about in Native American themed moccasins, brightly colored shirts, kilts in a period that the kilt was not worn and silly sewn or poorly knit muffin hats with great big made in India two handed claymores on their back representing Highlanders of the Renaissance period.

[kennethrmc]

"Sometimes you can strike it lucky by making a trip to local fabric stores. I once bought five yards of muted-toned, non-clan tartan, 100% wool - for $5.00 a yard...!"

Ditto what Woodsheal said, except I think I had to pay $7 a yard on Ebay and it's great old-looking tartan. It's a lot of fun to pleat your own great kilt and play around with ways to belt it. I think you could get something authentic and good quality for much, much less than either of the vendors noted above.

[Zardoz]

But I take history and my historical impressions quite seriously and I feel no one is served by guys clowning about in Native American themed moccasins, brightly colored shirts, kilts in a period that the kilt was not worn and silly sewn or poorly knit muffin hats with great big made in India two handed claymores on their back representing Highlanders of the Renaissance period.

Wow, well I'd say those guys 'clowning about' are well served by it. They are not reenacting, teaching history, or trying to 'represent' anything, other than dressing up and having fun.

This issue has been beat to death on this forum before, and I'm not gonna help dig it up here other than to repeat that faire is about fun and entertainment, not history lessons. I, and I'd say most people, who garb up for faire are not trying to represent history we're just getting involved in the spirit of the thing and having some fun. I cannot help if somebody looks at me and thinks that's how anyone ever dressed, I wonder what they take away from seeing the fairies and elves running around!

I realize 'having fun' is a strange concept for some people, so Captain my recomendation would be to avoid renfaires as much as possible.