April is season of fun and entertainment. Forget the all the worries of the past and indulge yourself in some very interesting historical reenactment activities. Why to waste the opportunity. Gather your friends and family members for a holiday full of enjoyment and leisure activities. Renaissance Festivals are all about partly historical reenactment, partly art and crafts and partly performing arts. All these three factors can make your whole day delightful and pleasurable experience.

Some of renaissance fairs organized in the month of April are:

North Carolina Renaissance Fair: - This fair provides you the chance of revisiting sixteenth century Europe when the reign of Queen Elizabeth was at its peak. At different amusement areas you will find artisans, musicians and jugglers doing their respective jobs. NCRF is best in displaying themed reenactment based on local history.

Lee Island Pirate Days Festival:- The most adventurous theme based on renaissance life. Come and be a part of pirate parties. Get attired in pirate clothing with the finishing touch of accessories for authentic sea robber appearance. The whole surrounding revolves around period comedies and several other farce acts. In this festival food and alcohol are allowed but not pets.

That Medieval Thing (TMT):- TMT fair was started on 1987 and since then it is the annual fair organized by the students of Drew University for medieval reenactment. TMT run a fall banquet and spring festival. Here food and alcohol are not allowed but pets - yes.

Georgia Renaissance Festival:- Welcome to the 32 acre zone of enjoyment and trouble free life. This is the one big bazaar for paragon of medieval artistry, shows on historical lives and fun filled activities. Royal petting zoo and thrilling rides of is the USP of this amusement park. You can take the food and weapons but not alcohol and pets.

Get attired in renaissance clothing and smell the feel of past.

We know about so many subcultures, in America itself there are atleast 101 subcultures. However what are they actually? Are they originated from people’s willingness to leave the culture they belong or just a way to be update with the current flow of hype. According to sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, it is a group of people with distinct or hidden identity which keeps them separate from the larger culture to which they belong.

Steampunk and Goth are two subcultures out of many and both have grown into phenomena, influencing the larger array of people outside USA as well.

Steampunk Subculture – This subgenre is the amalgamation of science fiction, alternate history, horror films and fantasy. The name itself suggests the power of steam engine and rebellious views/nature of people. Set in the background of nineteenth century this subgenre depicts what actually would had happened if technological revolution took place during at that time. In the beginning steampunk was an idea only originated from the works of likeminded people like renowned authors H.G WELLS and Jules Verne but with increasing reach of internet more people become aware of this idea. Today, people consume everything related to punk culture, from steampunk clothing to accessories.

Goth subculture – It is a contemporary subculture originated in Britain in gothic rock bands. This subgenre is influenced by nineteenth century gothic literature, horror movies and a bit of BDMS. Fashion is the main element of Goth culture but music and aesthetics are also considered. Dressing styles are inspired from deathrock, punk and Victorian costumes, people are preferably attired in dark clothing, hair and make-up.

Various events are organized on regular basis where the people of these subgroups gather, they share views, ideas and get an opportunity to show bizarre dressing sense and some keep the notion of elegancy in costumes within the theme. People belonging to different subgenres also use numerous mediums like internet and other themed events on the line of renaissance-festivals.com where they can show their real side.

Renaissance Festival

Renaissance fair is the combination of various things. Historical reenactment, artifacts and performing arts are blended into one fair famously known as renaissance festival. Basically ren-fairs projects the sixteenth century Europe, the Elizabethan period although earlier period of Vikings and later era of pirates are equally famous. Today, theme of ren-fair has so widened that it also includes the portraits of early modern age and current costume trends of newly formed sub-genres such as steampunk clothing.

The things you will encounter in ren-fairs are vendors booth selling medieval and renaissance costumes, foods and art crafts, parade of costumed entertainers, performance of musician, magician and jugglers and stage shows based on historical lives and farce.

SCA

Renaissance festivals are not the sole fair for knowing glorious eras of past. SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.) is the international organization devoted in recreating the magic of seventh century western world. Events of SCA are specific to the members though outsiders are also accepted. People attend these fairs in medieval clothing which is the amalgamation of tournaments, food, music, dancing, workshops and others.

LRAP

Loosely based on seventeenth century Europe LARP is live action role playing game where characters’ actions are physically acted out by actors. Started in the late 1970’s since then its popularity has only increased. Participants physically portray fictional or historical character on the background based on modern realistic to historical settings and fantastic to futuristic eras. Organized in public or private sector it can be lasted till four hours or can be a daylong affair.

What to wear in these fairs

There is no specific rule for wearing clothing, anything resembling to renaissance costumes is acceptable. Although larger fairs have clothing booths yet for more options internet is best available medium to search for product.

People try different things to make their wedding special and distinct from others because it is the most memorable day of their life. To keep up the promise of exceptional wedding some people like to go for traditional wedding dress. For instance, they keep the element of renaissance dress in their clothing for auspicious day. Many people go for larger extent to make their wedding eventful and rememberable. If you are one of those them then medieval themed wedding is perfect option. In such style not only clothing but the whole set up is converted into medieval seen.

However if you are a complete novice to this theme, finding a medieval or renaissance style clothing will become a tough task for you. Such cases have also seen where people ended up spending more in costume shops and tailors. Even if you find a shop for medieval clothing may be the outfit will not fits you or upto your liking.

There is another option - go for designer wear. Hiring a designer means you can point out what exactly you would like to have in your dream dress. From fabric material to accessory attached all will be in accordance with you. Designers will amalgamate the material and style to make a magnificent dress. The only disapproval point here is higher cost but when you a pay a designer you pay for his/her skills, for a quality custom made dress not for copied.

What if you are tight on budget? Don’t worry, online market is open for you 24X7. Now you don’t need to haunt for one renaissance dress in whole town and ask shop to shop. Type a keyword (medieval dress) on web browser you will find several websites. Websites like Renaissance-festivals.com offers best deal, quality dress at reasonable price.

The auspicious day of wedding is most important day of your life, make it special with medieval wedding theme.

Days before wedding are much occupied time. From decorating the whole venue to food, from making cards for guest to caring for the whole arrangements, it all gets a lot hectic. In between you need to decide for wedding dress. Moreover people love to go for themed wedding. However when you order for the themed wedding dress make sure to buy the same in one month advance especially if you want to purchase from online because the dress you get may be need some rectification work which can cost time.

To make your wedding memorable we have brought some themed wedding costume ideas.

Renaissance medieval wedding dress:- Elaborate and voluminous dresses are the USP of medieval themed wedding. Embellished with laces, ruffles, beautiful embroideries, they appear magnificent and stunning. Renaissance gowns accompanied with exotic appearing accessories like necklace will make you classy and opulent. Arabella Cotton Dress, Hildegard Princess Dress or other renaissance dresses are capable to turn your wedding into a rememberable day.

Steampunk wedding dress:- Want to celebrate wedding in punk chic style, go on searching for steampunk dresses. Unlike other conventional brides you will make a distinct approach. Punk outfits are the innovatively altered Victorian dresses. So in this category you will find some voluptuous to decent costumes, steampunk has stocked all for you. Want to be a chic bride in The Whitfield dress or look graceful in The Bledlow outfit.

Goth wedding dress :- If you have a Goth style wedding, what would be the color of dress – black, brown and dark colors. Well there is exception also because new colors like purple, magenta and red are too making their mark in Gothic costumes. One of the best examples of this change in trend is Sexy Gothic Victoria Lace Dress.

Internet offers more varieties of period dresses than any costume shop in your locality and at the cost which is in your budget.

After the Second World War in America, people’s interest in medieval and renaissance history upraised again. It all started with the revival of early music by John Langstaff, he was a folk musician and traditionalist. Longstaff held “A Christmas Masque of traditional Revels” in 1957 and established Christmas Revels during 1971.

During 1963, a teacher named Phyllis Patterson organized a renaissance festival as a class activity in her home backyard. That was the first ren-fair truly dedicated to medieval and renaissance era. It ran for one weekend, witnessed around 8,000 people. This fair in actual was meant for raising funds for a radio station and ended with the huge success. It worked like milestone, making road for many renaissance-fairs to come.

In later years Living History Center started organizing renaissance festivals. The whole place was converted into the authentic spring market of bygone eras. Most of the historical reenactment booths were free of charge. Artisans and food merchants were the first who demanded for payment for their services. People volunteered themselves to participate in reenactment activities like music, military etc. Workshops were organized to train the participants in period languages, costumes etc.

Renaissance Pleasure fair of South California held for several years in spring season. Historical accuracy was the plus point of these early renaissance-fairs. Thereafter Pattersons made fall renaissance fair came into existence and after two years at another place one more ren-fair created on the same theme of harvest season. These two fairs grew into tradition of those regions and in later periods spread across the country. The modern version of renaissance fairs is merely copied form of originals and gives little significance to historical accuracy.

Historical reenactments are not solely belongs to USA, many European countries too organized activities based on medieval and renaissance era. For instance Britain operates the hustle and bustle of middle age on living history museum model. However, the concept of renaissance festival is unique to USA which includes renaissance amusement parks, shopping for renaissance clothing, food, artifacts and enjoying shows and farce.

Pirates more or less pirates used to leave the same life of common seamen and did the same laborious work with an exception which of lenient rules as compared to the rules of British Navy ship. Pirates swashbucklers or captains both enjoyed the same luxuries in food, alcohol etc.

Duties

Pirates of lower grades were indulged in doing the same routine work of repair and maintenance of ship. Some patched sails and others repair holes and leaks. Pickles, needle and seam rubbers were used to mend the ship. For keeping ship watertight rope was soaked into old tar and applied into the seam of ship. They turned the ship on its side for removing worm, bore holes and barnacles.

Food

Basically pirate’s food was restocked from the hijacked ships of merchants. When food get stale or fouled, Pirates caught sea turtles as these could be kept alive on ship’s hold until needed. Other various sea foods were on their list as well, some of them are dolphins and albacore tuna. Pirates ate these sea foods with yams, pineapples, papayas and other exotic fruits. Salmagundi, a kind of dish made from fish, meat and turtle with added herbs, spice and oil was famous among them. For drinking they took bamboo which was the mixture of water, sugar, rumfustian and nutmeg. Plain drinks including water, brandy, rum and beer were also liked. Lower ranked sea robbers ate better food then ordinary seamen.

Clothing

It is considered that pirate’s had particular sense of styling which is a wrong notion. Their dressing sense was depended on the kind of work they did; generally they wore clothing which kept them comfortable while performing tasks, just like any other seamen. Usually pirate’s clothing included a loose pirate shirt, pant, bandana or sash. The use of other costumes and accessories were based on one’s attiring style. Also as foods, pirate’s clothing too were taken from the looted ships of merchants and royals, so whatever found they wore.

Leisure Activities

Unlike the other seamen, pirates of any rank could enjoy the luxurious things. Playing cards, sang, dancing, carving were their favorite pass time activities. Gambling wasn’t allowed as it divided them and sometime led to heated arguments. Moreover during spare time they were found in taverns for alcohol. Mock trails and mimicking were also famous among them.

Pirates didn’t deal with bondages as regular seamen. They were free from any strong rules like hierarchical system of Royal Navy ships. Pirates chose their captains just like modern world’s political system does, by voting. The most popular pirate on boat who can successfully lead them was selected as captain and he was responsible for distribution the wealth equally among them.

Most pirates were unemployed or brutally treated seamen of Royal Navy ships who took the path of piracy in search of better life.

Steampunk, the twentieth century idea based on the concept of nineteenth century fictional science is rapidly gaining popularity among masses. As a subgenre, this culture has managed to establish small but strong group of followers within USA and in outside countries as well. The theme of steampunk is based on the old world concept of imaginative science, the possibility of those technologies existing in reality were distant dream during nineteenth century Victorian era.

There are Hollywood movies like ‘Time Machine ‘and ‘Sucker Punch’ and works of renowned authors Jules Verne and H.G. Wells and others to improve our knowledge on steampunk philosophy. Moreover people think punk subculture is all about lascivious clothing, tattoos and attitude. However in reality this culture has some philosophical angle, rather tend to take the test of your imaginative skills that one can apply on punk styled Victorian clothing, accessories and gadgets. How one can accommodate the twists and turns of modern designing on outfits while keeping the charm of old world clothing with those heavy mechanical accessories is actually the reflection of his/her creative skills and respect for the apparels which are now the part of tradition.

If you are a fresher of this subgenre which has grown into a phenomena and haunting for suitable steampunk clothes, I will advise you to make preferences quite clear. Whether you would like to go for elegant touch (more inclined towards Victorian style) or Ultra modern touch in your steampunk wears, make this dilemma cloudless. Personally from my point of view you should opt for dresses with the element of gracefulness and elegancy for formal and aesthetic events like weddings and austere parties but on casual occasions there is no harm in becoming a bit daring to show off your glamorous side.

Since starting steampunk clothes are facing strong judgmental views of people but it is also a truth that no conventional dresses have ability to project the personality the way they do.

Article posted by steampunkdressing.com

Every historical enthusiast knows about the Elizabethan Sumptuary law was implemented on the base of color and material of fabrics. Medieval renaissance dresses made from fabrics of silk, velvet, damask, taffeta, brocade etc. were worn by people of upper class. In accessory expensive jewelries and headwears were used to adorn their look. For decorating purpose of dresses, they utilized embedded stones and gems, alluring embroideries, ruffles and laces while lower status people had to satisfy themselves with the low cost fabrics like wool, shipskin, linen and cotton. Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws also included hairstyles and even wedding dress.

Clothing were not only meant for showing off wealth but also reflected someone’s social standing. Only royals were allowed to wear trimmed clothes with ermine, nobles clothes were trimmed with fox and otter. Upper class people too face the restriction on clothing they would like to wear. Queen, Her mother, children, sisters and aunts were only entitled to wear cloths in which gold was used as an embellishment others were not allowed to wear these outfits. The medieval dresses of upper class were highly elaborated because during those times it was intentionally done to achieve the attention of court for success, even men’s dresses were more versatile than women’s.

Upper class clothing fashion was hot, tight and uncomfortable. It took atleast two helpers and to put on a complete set of dress by noble and royal ladies. Loose garments like housecoats were worn when they were not the part of any event. Padding of clothing was more famous among upper strata people to create effects. Sleeve of gowns were made seperately and then pinned or tied together.

It is quite clear that regardless of wealth Elizabethan people were not allowed to wear the medieval renaissance dresses of their desire and all the things surrounding clothing was done to save the class structure of that time.

Study suggests, pirate wore the renaissance clothing just like any ordinary sailors of those times unlike the Hollywood movies in which they are portrayed wearing some sort of specific attire. Most part of pirate’s life was spent on ship so they only used to wear clothing that suits their sea voyage just like carpenter wears particular set of cloth which allows him to do his work comfortably. Well, some of the things like eye patch, looped earrings, bandana and scarf are now considered synonym to pirate’s clothing.

When we imagine of renaissance pirate, a picture of renaissance men wearing loose pirate shirt, pant and waistcoat appears along with accessories like bandana, sash, belt, looped earrings, tri-corn hats, eye patch, high sea boots and a pirate sword or rapier in hand. Although some of these things were the result of necessity but others were completely exaggerated. For instance pirates were frequently indulged in sea battles and get wounded, sometimes they lost their eyes, hands etc. so they use replacements eye patch and hooks (in place of hand). However combating with enemy on deck while wearing high sea boots wasn’t possible for them, for better grip on the deck they used to fight barefooted.

There were few exceptions also who made flamboyant styles of apparels synonyms to pirate’s clothing. Sea robber Black Bart was one of them, even considered as most flamboyant pirate of history. He wore waistcoat, breeches in crimson color and exotic red feathers on hat. He used to keep two sashes made from satin fabric, one diagonally along the coat and other around waist.

Be a part of treasure hunter in upcoming pirate themed events and enjoy the adventures life with a touch of reality. Shop for some very authentic pirate costumes from established online retailers. Websites like Renaissance-festivals.com and tudordressing.com provide myriad options to choose.