5 More Uses for Your Renaissance Costumes

So, you’ve decided to get a costume and attend renaissance fairs all season, but what do you do with your costume once fair season is over?  Spending all the money and time crafting the perfect and authentic costume doesn’t have to be wasted on a costume that’s only worn once or twice a year!  Here are some other opportunities to indulge your costume bug during the rest of the year.

Halloween

This is an obvious one, but why put the effort into thinking of a good costume when you already have one?  If you really don’t want to wear the exact same costume all the time, you can change up a few accessories or colored tops but when you have the basic dress or men’s wear, might as well use it as much as you can.  You can always make it spookier by taking a non-authentic renaissance piece, ripping it and putting fake blood on it and layering it over your costume. Also this is the perfect time to buy alternative pieces to wear with your costume to renaissance fairs next season!

Live Action Role Playing Games

Most live action role playing games (LARP) are set in the renaissance or have a medieval feel to them.  These types of gatherings are for the serious renaissance dressers with well thought out, accurate costumes.  If you get involved in these gatherings, it requires great commitment so be prepared to make one.  The people involved in these games are also admirers of the period; their clothes and way of life. If you decide to take part in this, you will not only get to reuse your costume many times but you will learn so much about the period you are emulating!

Theater and Choir Productions

Obviously if you enjoy dressing up for renaissance fairs, you enjoy the theatrical side of life.  So why not make it a year-round thing?  If you get involved with a theater or choir company production, you could get paid to wear your costume at work!  This is also a great way to get inspiration and alternate pieces for your costume.  Some theater companies pride themselves on the medieval or renaissance themed productions they put on and would only be too happy to have an amateur professional come on board to help maintain the authenticity of their production.

Public Storytelling

Children respond to characters and appearances, that is no surprise.  You may not think children’s interest is related to your renaissance costume, but it is.  Since most adults don’t relish dressing up as we renaissance folk do, there is a short supply of adults who will willingly dress up and put in the effort.  Even kids can see effort in costumes and appreciate it.  Libraries that host story times would be delighted to have someone come on board that not only loves to dress up, but has the resources and clothes to do it.

Medieval and Renaissance Weddings

Alright, this one isn’t for everyone but if you’re into renaissance fairs, then you know other people that are.  If you know other people that are into that, then chances are you’ll be invited to at least one renaissance themed wedding.  If your costume is of a person lower on the social ladder, you may have to pick up a few pieces suitable for a wedding. Already married? Have that 10 year anniversary coming up? Have fun with it and renew your vows, renaissance style!

No matter where you decide to wear your costume outside of the renaissance festival circuit, be proud of what you’ve put together and have fun doing your new found activities during the fair off-season!

Allie
Ye Old Renaissance Shop