Renaissance Festivals and Medieval Historical Era

Renaissance festival is the most popular occasion of USA celebrated on weekends. This festival is quite commercial in nature and opened for common people’s historical reenactment and amusement. Such fests are held on some permanent themed parks and in fairgrounds where these fairs celebrated for short period. Some public and private spaces are also made accessible for the commencement of themed festivals.

Started on the backyard of school teacher in the mid of twentieth century to make student aware of medieval past, has now grown up into a popular phenomena. Although the mainland where this fest celebrated is till now USA but its effect can also be seen in other countries as well. Ren-fairs are the hub of costumed entertainers in renaissance dresses, medieval handicrafts and foods, theatrical shows including period dramas and acrobatics. Some theme parks even offer camping program if a person want to stay for more than a day.

Many medieval themed events are set on specific period of history because each era has something new to offer. Below mentioned are the different periods that inspired the major section of historical reenactment theme. Let us cast some light on these periods.

King Henry VIII – King Henry imposed the Sumptuary Laws to restrict the commoners’ expenditures on luxury. During his reign new merchant class arose and their population was expanding too. These new wealthy class was looking above their status and trying to get the luxury on par of nobilities. So in order to keep wealthier noble class people untouched from these new emerging classes, strict laws sumptuary were implemented. His daughters Queen Marry I and Queen Elizabeth I followed him. Tudor clothing system was easy and immediate way of knowing one’s rank and privileges.

Elizabeth I of England – This was the golden age for England when exploration and expansion were at its best. Famously called as Elizabethan era this period had gems like Sir Francis Drake, William Shakespeare, Walter Raleigh and many more. But the major drawback of this period was imposed Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws which was implemented to curb the habit of consumption. This was the attempt to regulate the intake of luxuries like renaissance costumes, food, furniture and other inordinate expenditure. This reinforced law caused great degree of variation and gap in the living standard of commoners and wealthier people. Color and material of fabric became the way of separating upper strata people from lower class.

The much earlier periods of Vikings and later period of pirates are also included in these themed fairs. Now-a-days people show more fascination for pirate clothing such as pirate shirts, pants and boots. Sudden inclination towards sea robbers costumes is the result of latest Hollywood flicks based pirate’s life. Eleventh century Viking’s costumes are also the rage among visitors. Especially the accessories of Vikings are cherished by people.

Renaissance themed events are just like time travelling into past, an opportunity to know what we have gained from it. These fairs encourage the people to know about their medieval history, provide lifetime opportunity to sleep into medieval renaissance costumes and pirate shirts to feel the presence of charismatic era.

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Renaissance Wedding Costumes takes in Medieval Style

Gearing up for a medieval theme wedding, a lot of preparation is needed for themed weddings. From costumes of bride and groom to guests, from food to background and from music to etiquettes of people all should be able to reflect the charm and charisma of renaissance magical era. Soon to be bride expects her renaissance dress for wedding to be magnificent attire, appealing, giving the renaissance vibes and make her look outstanding. However in order to get a perfect renaissance style gown you need to put effort otherwise you will end up building castles in the air.

Wedding gowns can be found in shops who deal in bridal wears however it can be happened that such shops of your area don’t carry themed dresses. There is another option of searching for these renaissance costumes. Search for designers who offer custom designing. Custom designed renaissance gowns will have quality fabric with exact measurement, stunning and striking appearance but there is one problem, custom made dresses cost a lot. So, the best available option is to haunt them online. Internet can prove a very helpful medium for finding awesome period dresses. You will be able to find wedding dresses of famous 3Ps. - princess, peasant and pirate online.

Renaissance costumes for wedding available online are on par with the dresses of offline shops in terms of quality and are reasonably priced. You will get the same costume at much lower price. If website from where you are opting to buy dress comes with schemes like discounts and free shipping then it will be icing on the cake, make purchase amount very cost effective. To reach the classism of medieval style your wedding dress must be slim fitted, corset or griddle to support upper part of body and laced in front. Renaissance wedding gowns have embroidery, stitched with threads of gold or silver.

Just look at the few dresses available on internet; I’ll bet they can give a stiff competition to renaissance clothing of any established offline shops.

The Majestic Beauty Gown: This gown is the beautiful combination of nobel surcoat and princess of pearl dress. Surcoat is made from velvet fabric has wide neckline and large armholes with white metallic sequenced lace. Dress part is made from satin material with blue and gold trims. For buttons white pearl are used.

Hildegard Princess Dress: This dress is again made from velvet fabric. The brocade fabric on side panels and puffy upper sleeves make it appear opulent. Drawstring and loops on back are provided for comfort fit. This alluring dress is perfect for your dream wedding.

Lady of Lead Gowns: This elegant piece of cloth is made from soft velvet fabric, has long funnel type sleeves with a cut underneath of which another sleeves of narrow endings are stitched. In similar fashion the skirt part of gown has slit and golden color brocade lace peeped out of it.

Above mentioned renaissance dresses and renaissance costumes for themed wedding are my favorite, you will find a lot more on internet once you start browsing.

Understand of Create Fashion of Renaissance Medieval Festivals

Village fairs and festivals were important occasions in the life of the common people in Renaissance Europe, when they could socialize at these public venues and also market their handicrafts and other home-made products. This was an occasion for them to dress up in gaiety in the best of their clothes, to add to the festive atmosphere.

Today’s Renaissance sub-culture borrows its fashion from the styles of Renaissance costumes. The flowing lines of long full length gowns, corset-shaped jackets with drawstrings, pirate-style shirts, skirts with trimmings, frills and laces with loose tops lined with brocades and frills are favorite themes of renaissance costumes inspired by the Mediaeval clothing styles. These styles are mixed with punk styles and contemporary looks to create a new style.

This Renaissance sub-culture also borrows the theme of Renaissance fairs from the mediaeval period. However, unlike the fairs of the Renaissance period, the contemporary sub-cultural Renaissance fairs are occasions to show off the Renaissance Sub-cultural costumes. People dress up in their renaissance costumes, dye their hair black, shade their nails and lips in dark shades and also a=carry accessories from the mediaeval clothing such as swords gilded and studded with semi-precious stones.

In these Renaissance fairs, people who follow his sub-culture also wear the specific costumes related to the famous characters from the mediaeval history and English literature. Invitations are sent out using archaic English, mentioning the names of fictional characters from literature and special gala evens to recreate the mood of Renaissance festival. This event is very popular all over the United States and especially the state of Florida is famous for these kinds of Renaissance festivals.

A Renaissance festival thus, is a sub-cultural expression of the people’s desire to break free of formatted lives created by the industrialized societies. At the same time, it is an occasion for the garment industry to promote the sub-cultural Renaissance costumes.

The Begining of Renaissance Look in Medieval period

1490s is the time when costumes began to acquire a Renaissance look of extravagance in Europe. Even within this framework, different parts of Europe followed different styles. England followed a more mediaeval look in Renaissance dresses than other parts of Europe. Flowing lines, puffed long sleeves, head-dresses, velvet and silk lined with brocade and laces became the norm in aristocratic Renaissance clothes. On the other hand, common people largely stuck to the mediaeval clothing made of wool, coarse cotton, flannel, linen and sheepskin.

In our contemporary times, people following Renaissance sub-culture use these styles and mix them with styles from Victorian era, punk culture and our modern fashions to create a dressing fashion which doesn’t have any boundaries. Dark colours, black and white and some bold colours such as red and maroon, deep blue and purple are used in these clothes. Flowing gowns from the Renaissance style are popular I modern Renaissance sub-culture, though with much less gathers. Laces, trimmings, frills and embroidery are also popular. These are mixed with punk style disjoined clothing and modern sleek lines in outfits.

Pirate shirts formed a unique feature in the Renaissance period. These were characterized by loose and long sleeves, frills and laces lining the edges and neckline, ends hanging till the waist or thighs. These shirts used black, white, brown or grey shades and were made of cotton, linen or flannel. These features have been utilized by the modern Renaissance sub-culture and have been combined with features from other styles, such as splashes of red, blue or yellow and brocade linings. Uneven, zigzag edges, stripes, asymmetrical look are some other features used to mix the traditional Renaissance dress with the punk style. Tunics, coats, cloaks and headgear complete the Renaissance ensemble of modern time. Accessories may include swords.

These swords are often carved and studded with gems and are made in the style of scabbards carried by the warriors and kings in the past. Renaissance sub-culture also recreates the world woven by the English literature, by drawing from the figures described in English literary work.

Mixing these styles creates a fashion of dress without boundaries. People who wear the dresses of this sub-culture give the impression that they can draw from the inspiration of Renaissance spirit and at the same time walk in tune with today’s society. They can experiment and don’t stay within the boundaries of the social norms as prescribes by tradition.

Renaissance Medieval Costumes Fashion

Renaissance costumes has become a fashion statement in this modern world. Dresses for men and women are being inspired by the Renaissance dresses from Europe. Mediaeval costumes provide an elegant and graceful look to the wearer. Portraits of aristocratic men and ladies from Europe have provided the inspiration for the design of these costumes meant for modern men and women.

Renaissance dresses for women include long gowns covering the feet, but without the flow of gathers. These modern Renaissance-style gowns are figure-hugging. Cotton, linen and laces are used to enhance the visual appeal. Cuts and shapes follow the trends popular in the mediaeval costumes as we see in the paintings of those eras.

An important dress for women is inspired by the mediaeval chemise. Chemise was a long and lose cotton or linen tunic worn in mediaeval times by the ladies under all their dresses. Its chief function was to provide an elegant fall to the outer garment and to absorb perspiration. Modern dress inspired by the chemise can be worn as the main dress in a stylish mediaeval fashion. It comes in white, black, patterned fabric or even in bright colours such as burgundy red. Sleeves are long and may be detached in some costumes.

Cloaks, robes and capes are other pieces of dresses inspired by the mediaeval costumes. They provide a regal look to the wearer and may be made from cotton, silk, satin, velvet and synthetic fabric.

Pirate clothing is very popular for men interested in these costumes. Men’s clothing has a full ensemble in the form of pirate shirts, capes, cloaks, coats, tunics and vests. Dresses for men in the form of coats and tunics may be in bold colours such as maroon, blue or black and may be embroidered with brocade. Caps may have gems, brocade and feathers adorning them. Swords and daggers complete the clothing accessories for men’s costumes.

Mens Womens Fashion of Renaissance Clothing

Renaissance clothing has become a fashion statement in this modern world. Dresses for men and women are being inspired by the Renaissance dresses from Europe. Mediaeval costumes provide an elegant and graceful look to the wearer. Portraits of aristocratic men and ladies from Europe have provided the inspiration for the design of these mediaeval costumes meant for modern men and women.

Renaissance dresses for women include long gowns covering the feet, but without the flow of gathers. These modern Renaissance-style gowns are figure-hugging. Cotton, linen and laces are used to enhance the impression of a Renaissance dress. Cuts and shapes follow the trends popular in the mediaeval costumes as we see in the paintings of those eras.

An important Renaissance dress for women is inspired by the mediaeval chemise. Chemise was a long and lose cotton or linen tunic worn in mediaeval times by the ladies under all their Renaissance dresses. Its chief function was to provide an elegant fall to the outer garment and to absorb perspiration. Modern Renaissance dress inspired by the chemise can be worn as the main dress in a stylish mediaeval costume fashion. It comes in white, black, patterned fabric or even in bright colours such as burgundy red. Sleeves are long and may be detached in some Renaissance costumes.

Cloaks, robes and capes are other pieces of Renaissance dresses inspired by the mediaeval costumes. They provide a regal look to the wearer and may be made from cotton, silk, satin, velvet and synthetic fabric.

Pirate clothing is very popular for men interested in Renaissance clothing. Men’s pirate clothing has a full ensemble in the form of pirate shirts, capes, cloaks, coats, tunics and vests. Medieval costumes for men in the form of coats and tunics may be in bold colours such as maroon, blue or black and may be embroidered with brocade. Caps may have gems, brocade and feathers adorning them. Swords and daggers complete the pirate clothing accessories for men’s mediaeval costumes.

Renaissance Dresses How It All Started

The term renaissance means a ‘new beginning’ and this ‘new beginning’ in dresses happened around 1490 A.D. During this time frame too many changes in all area of costumes started. Let us take the example of Northern Europe where people were wearing padding sleeves, stockings and doublets and leading to disturbance in natural figure. Northern zone of Europe was much ahead in their renaissance costumes while Italy was still attached to medieval way of dresses. France and England were too in Italy’s league while Germans were making advancement in technology and tailoring skills to produce improved version of renaissance dresses. They make ample use of puffs whether large or small. They put small puffs at back, arms, chest, legs and feet; large puffs, over shoulders, head and thighs.

By this time changes in clothing brought completely different level of dresses and new discoveries in this field. However there were some common or we can say basic features of renaissance clothes of all countries. Those dresses were voluminous in size, fitted body garments, large sleeves with or without puff and frills, large hip clothing, heelless shoes, wide toed and covered heads of both, men and women.

Bobbed cut hair was in fashion among men during that time however length of hair was cut in accordance with individual taste. They keep hair curled or straight as they wanted. Most of them preferred to keep hair shorter as modern men’s hair. They wore low crowned, brimmed cap in distinct varieties. They keep their cap all turned-up around or just one side turned. Women wore hat in same manner as that of men. They kept length of the hair long and straight. Headgears like crescent, bonnet or gorget, wimple, gable and kennel were the part of their daily wear. In peasant women's clothing cote, handkerchief and collar had their own place. They used to wear collar or handkerchief around neck.

To make their presence felt strong, people during those times wore dark colored dresses and velvet was considered as staple fabric of those times. Slashing and puffing of dresses was common. Slashing was a technique used to create contrasting effect in wardrobe. Slits was created in the garment horizontally, diagonally or vertically through which different puffed fabric peeped out. In the beginning of renaissance era common people were not allowed to wear colorful dresses and ruler took slashing technique as a sign of rebel against them.

The colorful effect of gold and burgundy for wrist ruffles and collars were substituted by white linen. Mostly the sleeves of all garments were designed in funnel shape – tighten towards the cuff and big in start. Their voluminous dresses had exquisitely designed embroideries. They even had embroidery on socks (at ankle) and boots which was called clocking. People who were working in government offices or in the service of king’s or queen’s wore office chains. These heavy office chains were worn around neckline or chest as an embellishing piece.

Renaissance clothing for men was mostly focused on providing them rich and opulent look. In the similar fashion women’s renaissance clothing was too luxurious and extravagant but had more elegant appeal.