subject: Renaissance Costumes And Medieval Costumes Are Classics [print this page] To be quite honest, even adults love dressing up. Being incognito for a few hours can be an exciting escape from the mundane everyday routine. For instance, have you ever attended a Renaissance Fair and observed the people dressed up in medieval and renaissance garb? If you have, you have more than likely browsed through the clothing shops there. Yes, they can be expensive. However, the costumes themselves in all their beauty call for a particular attitude while wearing them.
Curious of the terminology that I am using, it comes from going to Renaissance Fairs. I say mundane, because that is what a person that is not in costume is called. They do not use the term costume either in reference to the medieval and renaissance clothing, it is called garb. It is also an interesting little factoid that half of the people that you see at such events do not work for the fair, they are average everyday people dressed up in renaissance and medieval costume to celebrate and take part in the ambiance of the era.
The reason that so many people are driven to medieval costumes and renaissance costumes is the time that they reference. We are talking about a moment in history when radical change was taking place. Starting in the Middle Ages, or what we would term medieval, we think of knights and wizards and servant girls, Kings and Queens that, though royal, were not elegant. It was a classical society.
This was a time of incredible political, cultural and economic change. Clothing was a reflection of your station in society. Then you have the Renaissance Era, which overlaps part of the late Middle Ages when, again, there was great change taking place in art and science. Here the clothing took on a more elegant look and style. Though still showing your position in society, there was more flair.
For instance, wearing a servant girl or wench costume lends an air, which is scandalous according to the costumes medieval or renaissance. On the other hand, the Maid Marian costume is more innocent and demure, while Robin Hood leans more to a brave and fearless man. Taking on the appearance of Merlin and other wizards brings power and ethereal wisdom to mind.
It is no wonder then that costume balls, Halloween parties or Renaissance Fairs find people on a mission to acquire medieval costumes and Renaissance costumes. These clothes allow us to be apart of such an important time in history. Imagine playing Queen for the day, and if you are going to a Renaissance Fair, I strongly advise going in the medieval costume or renaissance costumes to get the full effect of the event.
Word of warning ladies! Before you strap on that corset remember to take a big, deep breath. This will be your last until the corset comes of. Those Renaissance ladies were not naturally small waisted, oh no. This is how even the more plump ladies were able to achieve the coveted small waist. So make your costume comfortable. After all, the point is to have fun, right?!
