Let us all be honest right now and admit the fact that we, as adults, still enjoy dressing up. The possibility of being someone else for a few hours is an exciting escape for the everyday mundane. Speaking of mundane, have you ever gone to a Renaissance Fair and seen all of the people dressed in medieval and renaissance garb? I am sure that if you have, you have also wandered into the shops there that sell the clothing. Yes, they are a bit pricey. The costumes themselves, though beautiful, dictate a certain attitude that should accompany the person wearing it.



"Garb" is the official terminology used by Renaissance fans for anyone dressed in costume. Those that attend without costume are called "mundane." If attending your first Renaissance fair, you may be taken aback by the amount of people. These fairs are known to attract loyal visitors year after year. These regular, every day people enjoy taking a few days out of the year and "spicing it up" by donning a favorite Renaissance costume or medieval costume.

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.

Clothing or garb was a signal as to your social and economic status. Medieval costumes will range from ragged to quite elaborate, depending on society member imitated. As the medieval period lead the Renaissance clothing continued to signal societal status, but in general also took on more of an elegant air.

Want to go in a wench Renaissance costume? Most likely you will show a little of this and a little of that, as these women were not known for their conversation skills if you known what I mean? Rather go in a Maid Marian medieval costume? Your dress will be fairly elegant and demure. Robin Hood is another popular medieval costume. To complete the look symbols that signify "brave" and "courageous." And not to forget the mysterious and magical wizard Merlin costumes. The wizard costume has specific necessary pieces, such as pointy hat and flowing robe. Your garb is most important when attending a Renaissance fair.

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.

I do want to caution the females though. There is nothing quite like having to wear a corset. Make sure you take a deep breath before being laced up, for it will be the last deep breath you take before you are unlaced. I do not believe that women in the Renaissance Era were ever able to breathe deeply until they went to bed. This explains the tiny waist even on larger women. Have some fun, and really play the part, dress it up in a medieval costume.