The easiest way to plan a faire outfit is to pick a character first. It tells you which pieces to look for and which to skip. Here are twelve characters that work at any Renaissance faire, with the few pieces that make each one recognisable.
In short
- Every character below starts from the same base: a shirt or blouse, a belt and boots.
- Two or three key pieces are what make the character clear.
- Faires mix history and fantasy, so pick the one you'll enjoy wearing.
1. Peasant or villager
A loose shirt or blouse, a laced dress or vest, a plain skirt or trousers, and a thin belt with a small pouch. Simple, cool and always right. Peasant outfit guide
2. Tavern keeper
The Square-Neck Lace-Up Renaissance Dress over a white blouse, a lace-hem petticoat peeking out underneath, and keys on an Embossed Belt Key Ring.
3. Merchant
A white shirt, the Lace-Up Hunter Vest, trousers tucked into boots and a generous pouch. Merchants always look like they carry money.
4. Ranger
A hooded cloak, a vest or sleeveless tunic, laced bracers and a utility belt, all in greens, browns and greys. Ranger outfit guide
5. Viking
A belted tunic, the Viking Faux Fur Shoulder Cape, a wide belt and an embossed bracer. A horn at the belt finishes it. Viking outfit guide
6. Shieldmaiden
A long gown or tunic dress, a Wolf and Hammer Bracer, a knotwork headband and a fur-look cape. Viking women's guide
7. Elf
Greens and earth tones, a hood, a circlet and something leaf-shaped. The Hooded Elf Dress Costume Set is the complete version. Elf costume guide
8. Knight
A padded coat, a breastplate, a heraldic bracer and a helm carried under the arm. Knight costume guide
9. Wizard
A long hooded robe, a staff and a potion or two at the belt. Wizard costume guide
10. Bard
A white laced shirt, a Velvet One-Shoulder Cape and a pouch for the tips. Bring an instrument if you play one. Bard outfit guide
11. Noble
A full-sleeved Renaissance shirt, dark trousers, tall cuffed boots and a circlet on the brow. Choose deep, rich colours and walk slowly.
12. Rogue
Black and dark brown, a hooded cloak, a short wrist cuff and a harness with hidden pouches. Rogue costume guide
Two more for the brave
- Barbarian: fur-look pauldron, strip skirt over a tunic, studded bracers. Barbarian costume guide
- Dark warrior or witch: black layers, a studded pauldron or a potion belt. Dark fantasy outfit guide
Character pieces
How to choose
- Weather first. Viking and knight looks are warm. Peasant, tavern and bard looks are cool.
- Comfort second. If you hate hoods or heavy layers, skip the wizard and the knight.
- Fun third. The character you enjoy playing is the one you'll wear again.
Questions people ask
Do I need to stay in character all day?
No. Most visitors just enjoy wearing the clothes. Playing along with the performers is a bonus.
Can I mix history and fantasy?
Yes. Faires mix both freely. An elf can walk next to a Tudor noble and nobody blinks.
