How to Make an Inexpensive Renaissance Costume (Girls)

This is a quick and easy way to make a Gypsy or Peasant Renaissance Fair e costume for girls. Most of the items you need for this costume are probably in your home already! It is really inexpensive, and is quick to throw together.

Steps

  1. Image titled Make an Inexpensive Renaissance Costume (Girls) Step 1
    1
    Put on the shorts and the tank top. This is used just in case... if it is very windy outside and the cover up blows everywhere (revealing your undies).
  2. Image titled Make an Inexpensive Renaissance Costume (Girls) Step 2
    2
    Put on the beach cover-up over the shorts and tank top. The beach cover-up is very flowing at the end. (Women of the Renaissance period were known from floral and flowing dresses.)
  3. Image titled Make an Inexpensive Renaissance Costume (Girls) Step 3
    3
    Put the shawl over your shoulders. I don't think you want to look TOO tacky with a cover-up over a tank top, do you?
  4. Image titled Make an Inexpensive Renaissance Costume (Girls) Step 4
    4
    Tie one scarf around your waist, near your hips. Most women of the Renaissance period had belts, scarves, or decorative wraps around their waists to seem more classy.
  5. Image titled Make an Inexpensive Renaissance Costume (Girls) Step 5
    5
    Tie the second scarf around your forehead, behind your ears, just as you would a headband. (This style is a reminder from the Renaissance period and matches well.)
  6. Image titled Make an Inexpensive Renaissance Costume (Girls) Step 6
    6
    Put on the bangles, the hoop earrings, and the necklace. This adds a little bit of class and uniqueness to your outfit.
  7. Image titled Make an Inexpensive Renaissance Costume (Girls) Step 7
    7
    Last, step into your flip-flops. While they might not be the most attractive thing, it's easy for walking around and matches the flowy, relaxed look you have.

Tips

  • It's best not to wear bold make-up for this costume. It draws attention away from your outfit.
  • Think floral!! If you have a tank top or beach cover-up that has a flowery print/design on it, use it! That's even better than a plain cover-up. Renaissance women used flowers immensely for decoration on their bodies, and in their homes.
  • Instead of a scarf around your head, you could make a 'crown' of flowers, or buy some cheap fake flowers from the store and make them into a crown. It adds a nice flowery touch to your costume.
  • JEWELRY: Use LOTS of it! Additional rings, bracelets, and necklaces are acknowledged for this outfit. People of the Renaissance era wore TONS of jewelry to seem more classy and attractive.

Warnings

  • Don't use colors that are very bold (dark blues, blacks, reds). Stick to light colors (pink, tan, light green, sky blue).
  • Make sure your hair isn't in a bun or ponytail, or any other up-do. When you tie the scarf around your head, you look very tacky. For this outfit, it's best to have your hair down.

Things You'll Need

  • Light colored tank top
  • Shorts (that don't go past your knees)
  • A beach cover-up (light colored, goes past your knees)
  • Two scarves
  • Hoop earrings
  • Long necklace
  • 4-12 bangle bracelets
  • Comfortable sandals/flip flops
  • 1 shawl

Article Info

Categories: Historical Costumes