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Garb and Feasting Gear (and how to get them)
Newcomer's Guide ~ Officers ~ Articles ~ Pictures ~ Feasts ~ Heavy Fighting ~ Rapier ~ Archery ~ Talks
Garb and Feasting Gear (and how to get them)
The need to find a medieval costume can seem a little daunting at first, but don't let it stop you from getting involved. First of all the Hospitaller has garb and feasting gear which you can borrow for your first couple events - as long as you contact them well in advance so that they can make sure they bring it to the event. You may also find that you can cobble together something passably medieval from your existing wardrobe - long skirts, boofy white shirts and plain trousers (not jeans) can all be made to pass as medieval with a little imagination. Just remember to avoid modern, very bright (fluorescent) colours, and be aware that many modern prints are not at all medieval. The other thing to watch out for are modern fabrics - as a rule of thumb, if it's stretchy it's probably not medieval, and the same goes for very artificial and plasticky looking things, generally if you stick to things which look like (or are) cotton, linnen, wool or silk you should be fine. Of course for those who can sew you could always make a costume - try checking out some of the costuming links on the links page for ideas, or conversely come to one of the many costume workshops which occur in the College and the Barony.
Feasting gear is another thing that you will need, especially if you are going to a feast, and consists of such eating utensils as you may require - generally a plate, bowl, spoon, knife and drinking vessel of some kind. The trick is that they need to look moderately medieval. The easiest option here is to contact the Hospitaller, but it isn't really that hard to find your own either. All that you really need are things which don't look glaringly modern - for example wooden, metal or earthern ware plates and bowls, and normal metal cuttlery, especially with wooden handles. Goblets can be found in 70s dinner sets (try charity opp shops, garage sales or your parent's cupboard), and pewter tankards also tend to abound in opp shops and garage sales.
Remember that if you have any questions you can contact the Hospitaller or myself.