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LHC Costume GuideCostumes Main Page 
The information on this page was taken directly from the original 1993 LHC handouts to people wishing to work at RPFN/S. If you're interested only in making a costume to suit yourself, then feel free to ignore some of the more draconian requirements and make a costume which makes you happy!
ColorsUse earthtones, browns, greens, golds, rusts, and variations there-of. Do not use flourescents, bright reds, blacks, pastels, or bright or modern looking colors. Purple is reserved for the Queen herself and pure white is an upperclass color. Purple was extracted from crushed snails and crimson from crushed beetles. FabricsUse 100% natural fabrics or blends with a small amount of polyester. Best looks are from: wool, woven cottons, raw silk, textured natural fabrics, leather, and linen. Different textured fabrics will give you the look of functional clothing and not a costume. Don't even think about using prints, velour, sheers, gingham, seersucker, etc. Velvets, satins, and brocades are not appropriate for peasants. Corduroy did exist but it was coarse and expensive. Men's ClothingShirts, Jerkins, and Doublets Shirts should be long sleeved and full bodied. Drawstrings, high collars, drop collars, and no collared shirts are appropriate. A jerkin is a loose fitting vest, generally sleeveless. A doublet is a tight fitting vest. Breeches Pants should be full with lots of volume, not form fitting. Length can be thigh-high, above the knee, or below the knee. Ankle length pants are inappropriate. No zippers or pockets. Wear hose or woolen socks if your legs aren't covered. Only scotts and irish show bare legs! Accessories Make your character more visually interesting by adding some indication of what you do for a living. You should at least have a belt and a purse/pouch. Woe be unto thee shouldst the keg burst and thou be without cup. Women's ClothingBodice and Chemise Children's ClothingUntil about age three children wore a biggin's hat and a shift. Children older than three dressed just like adults. Hats and HairEveryone wears hats except the Irish and the Scots. Proper hats include the muffin cap, biggins, flat caps, felt, and straw hats. Women wore hair pinned up or braided under their hats. Shoes and HoseBare feet and legs are inappropriate (again excluding the Irish and Scots). Most earth tone shoes will work: wallabies, minetonka mocassins, closed-toe birkenstocks. In a pinch, use black kung fu slippers. General CommentsDon't wear obvious makeup. Lose the watch. Keep jewelry to a minimum and keep it simple. No sunglasses. Use natural pipes should you smoke. AfterwordThe information here can be ordered through the mail. There is a pamphlet available through Renaissance Entertainment Corporation giving guidelines and patterns* for costumes. It contains information on colors, fabrics, trim, men/women/children's clothing from noble, middle class and peasant classes, hats and hair, shoes and hose, and accessories. It has a pattern* for bodice, chemise, peasant skirt, jerkin, breeches, and caps
[biggins cap, english flat cap and bag hat].
R.P.F.I.
P.O. Box B
Novato, CA 94948
(I have NO IDEA if this address is still valid - 1/97)
*Actual-size patterns are not included. Scaled down versions are illustrated in the pamphlet. Costumes Main Page |
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