Men's faire garb is simpler than it looks. Nearly every good outfit is a loose shirt, one layer over it, trousers tucked into boots, and a belt with a pouch. Change the top layer and you change the character. Here are six looks that work, from merchant to knight.
In short
- Start with a loose shirt in white or off-white. It goes under everything.
- The top layer sets the character: vest for a merchant, tunic for a Viking, padded coat for a knight.
- Tuck your trousers into boots and wear the belt low on the hips.
- Choose by measurements, and size up if you will layer underneath.
1. The classic: shirt, vest and boots
The Renaissance Shirt with Laced Sleeves is cotton-linen with a laced front and laced sleeves, in sizes S to 5XL. Put the Lace-Up Hunter Vest over it, add Laced Trousers with Ankle Ties, and tuck them into Fold-Over Cuff Renaissance Boots. A pouch on the belt finishes a merchant, traveller or tavern-keeper look.
2. Viking
The Cotton Viking Tunic, belted over the laced trousers, with the Viking Faux Fur Shoulder Cape on top. Add the Wide Double-Buckle Celtic Belt and a Wolf and Hammer Bracer. Full guide: how to dress like a Viking.
3. Ranger
Practical and comfortable all day. A long-sleeve shirt under the Sleeveless Cotton Tunic or the hunter vest, the Hooded Ranger Cloak on top, a Laced Wrist Guard, and Mid-Calf Lace-Up Boots. The Embossed Waist Bag Belt with Potion Holder gives you somewhere to put everything. See the ranger outfit guide.
4. Knight, off duty
The Quilted Padded Coat is cut long in the style of a gambeson. Wear it belted with the Knight Belt with Sword Frog and a Heraldic Banner Bracer. Carry the Faux Leather Great Helm under your arm for photos rather than wearing it all day. More in the knight costume guide.
5. Cavalier
A white shirt open at the neck, dark trousers, tall cuffed boots and a wide belt. Add a coin pouch and a sash if you have one. The Fold-Over Cuff Renaissance Boots do most of the work.
6. Bard or noble
The white laced shirt with the Velvet One-Shoulder Cape in green, dark trousers and boots. It looks dressed-up but stays cool, because the cape only covers one shoulder. Ideas in the bard outfit guide.
Shop the basics
How to wear it well
- Loose on top. Period-style shirts are cut full. If it looks big, it is probably right.
- Belt on the hips, not the waist. A tunic belted low looks right and sits comfortably.
- Trousers into boots. It hides modern socks and keeps the hems out of the mud.
- Hot day? Swap the shirt for a Short-Sleeve V-Neck Tunic and leave the cloak in the car. More in staying cool at a summer faire.
Getting the size right
Tunics and shirts in period cuts are roomy, so read the chest measurement on each size chart rather than your usual letter size. The laced shirt runs from S to 5XL (bust 113 to 151 cm) and the Viking tunic from S to XXXL (chest 104 to 144 cm). Boots are in China sizes, so choose them by foot length in centimetres. The measuring guide shows how.
Questions people ask
What do men wear to a Renaissance faire?
Most wear a loose shirt, a vest or tunic, trousers tucked into boots, and a belt with a pouch. A cloak, bracers or a hat adds character.
Can I wear jeans?
Yes. Dark jeans tucked into boots, with a loose white shirt and a belt, look fine and are a good first outfit.
What should I do with my phone and wallet?
Put them in a belt pouch. Our belt pouch guide covers which size fits a phone.
