One possible way to dress up is as a peasant, or working class individual. The following article gives an overview of peasant garb that is historically accurate and appropriate for the Renaissance Fair.
Renaissance Peasant Class Garb for Men
Peasant men in the renaissance times wore pants, or breeches, and cotton or woolen hose that covered their lower leg. Another option was to wear long pants and wrap the lower leg portion with strips of cloth. This was called cross gartering.
All Renaissance peasant class men would wear a shirt or tunic, a laced of buttoned jerkin or vest, and a hat. All adults were required to wear hats in public. Most peasant men would wear a small pouch at his belt and carry a knife. As with all poor people of any age, the clothes may have been mended and patched more than once.
Renaissance Peasant Class Garb for Women
Women of the Renaissance peasant class also wore patched and re-sewn clothing. Their garb started with a long-sleeved chemise closest to the skin. Over this, they would wear two skirts, the outer one looped up to keep it out of the dirt. Aprons were worn over the skirts, and a tight-laced bodice would cover the chemise top. The bodice would have detachable sleeves that could be put on or taken off as the weather dictated.
Peasant woman of this time period would always wear a biggins cap or other headgear and would braid her long hair and tuck it out of the way. Like the men, she would also have a pouch and a knife for eating.
The fabrics for the Renaissance peasant class consisted of homespun natural fabrics such as wool, linen, and cotton. Leather would be reserved for belts, boots, and fur was used in winter to line cloaks. Peasant garb was not all drab as the people dyed their cloth with vegetable and plant dyes. You can wear yellow, blue, off-white, brown, green, grey, and red.
Children in Renaissance times wore what the adults wore as soon as they reach the age of six or seven. Before that, boys and girls both wore long gowns or dresses. Babies below one year old were wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Dressing in appropriate peasant garb at the Renaissance Fair is a great way to get into the spirit of things. By following the rules of costuming and being historically accurate, you will impress the fair regulars and get a lot of attention from the other visitors as well.
