Mar 06 2009
Authenticity versus Fantasy in Costuming
Complaints about the lack of historical accuracy in costumes abound, particularly in criticism of historical films and television series. In general, there is also a lot of discussion about historical accuracy at renaissance faires and festivals and in specific groups.
If You Want Accuracy:
- Reenactor groups attempt to bring history alive to educate themselves and others. They usually focus on a particular era, such as American Civil War or American Revolution.
- The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) pays extreme attention to historical detail. While they encompass a larger time frame, the SCA does enforce accuracy. That said, SCA members do all that they can to help members locate the necessary information to accomplish this.
If You Want Fantasy:
- Check out completely fantasy-oriented events like FaerieCon (in Baltimore this year). They expect you to be creative (and to be a fairy, in fact) with all of the fun trappings you want to wear from various movies and even your own imagination. You can find more information about conventions at Convention Fans.
Fantasy with Moderation:
- Consider LARPing. LARP, or Live Action Role Play, allows players to dress up as characters and act out the character according to background, class, and race. There are costume requirements (varying by LARP and by race/class chosen) as well as safety requirements, so check with those running your LARP. Ladies should also check out the content here for help.
- Anything goes at renaissance faires. Children in particular can get away with dressing as fairies or wearing dragon wings. Some faire-goers might be snooty towards others not wearing what they deem renaissance garb, but many of the items considered ’standard renaissance fare’ (excuse the pun) are completely inaccurate, invented, portrayed, or embellished by artists in later eras. You can be historically accurate, fantasy, or (like most), a mix between at faires and festivals. Find a local faire here.
- Don’t forget about your local heritage festivals, such as Irish and Scottish events!
Photo credit: Raven Wityk
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How interesting!
I just stumbled on to your site and I have to say, what fun! I love getting dressed and costuming and the like. Expect me to become a regular.
I stumble here while doing some research for a Costume I’m working on for Costume Con. I’ll be there this year, while my daughter Jamie will be at Faire Con. As a Beginner costumer, I’m always torn between creating an authentic outfit or let my creative juices take me into the fantastic. As I am looking at creating for competition, , I’m thinking that using authentic technique may be the way I will go even if I add wings to my dress for use at Jamie’s wedding this summer.