Renaissance Accessories

how to create an authentic appearance

all the little things that make or break your costume

What Class / Origin?

• Like your garb, what accessories you will wear depends greatly on what class you are, and to a lesser extent what your origins are

• Most of the accessories are cross-cultural, but check if you are curious about accessories specific to your ethnicity

• The classes you can choose from for our faire will be:– Nobles– Working Middle Class /

Merchants– Peasants– Beggars

• Beware of the Sumptuary laws!

Accessories

General Rules: (excluding hats)

-Nobles will wear the most accessories; high quality, rare, and expensive

-Upper middle class and middle class will wear less accessories, and will be less coordinated than nobles; they will be trying to imitate the nobles; the accessories won’t be as expensive or rare

-Peasants will have very few accessories, of much worse quality

-Beggars will wear practically no accessories

HairFemales

-hair was modeled after Queen Elizabeth in being curly and red or light colored-hair styles often used a heart-shaped wire frame to make the hair stand higher on the head-wigs were also often used due to the difficulty in making hair do the desired things without falling out. (thanks to technology, we no longer have this problem.)-braid crowns, curls, and buns were the most common styles, all of which were worn with a snood or caul-unmarried women (of lower classes) can wear their hair loose, usually long

-it was considered improper to show too much hair-a snood or caul would almost always be worn-hats were almost always worn out-of-doors, and usually indoors as well (see next slide)

-hairstyles were often adorned withjewelry, gem stones, beads, feathers, and/or flowers

HatsFemales

attifet

coif

muffin cap

flat cap

toque

tall hat

French hood

solano / sun hat

Italian bonnet

Gable hood

HairMales

-hair was usually worn at a natural length, between just over the ears to a little past the shoulders, however none on the forehead-if hair was longer, it would sometimes be pulled into a low ponytail or braid-beards were common, and usually well maintained

-men also wore wigs as a sign of wealth

-men also almost always wore hats when out-of-doors and often indoors (see next slide)

HatsMales

coif

muffin cap / bag hat

flat cap

toque

tall hat

capitano

Make-UpFemales-make-up was used to make

the skin very pale (white, not even a natural glow)-red lips were common-blush was applied above the cheekbone, not on the apples of the cheeks as is done now.-eyes were wanted to sparkle-eyeliner (like) used often

-most of the make-up used at the time was poisonous with repeated use (don’t use that make-up please)

-note on hair:was often plucked to push the hairline much further back – please don’t do this as there is no way to effectively get this look without lots of pain

-eyebrows were plucked to be very thin and high

JewelryFemales

-earrings are not common, but when worn, they are usually large and ornate or chandelier style-all earrings are hoop style

-multiple necklaces were usually worn -a few long strands of pearls or gold chains -a single necklace with large stones, most likely gaudy in appearance and choker-like

-bracelets were common, and of many types, from small and delicate to cuffs

-multiple rings could be worn (but NOT on middle finger)-similar in style to a class ring with a single central stone and sometimes smaller surrounding stones-if Gaelic, then bands with Celtic designs could be worn-plain bands could also be worn for lower nobles

-if wearing a pendant, it will fall to near the stomach-the most common things to be on pendants are crosses, and sometimes animals-the cord used for the pendant would be a wide soft ribbon

JewelryFemales (continued)

-large, ornate brooches were common-worn in front center of bodice, at shoulder front of bodice, or on hats-could have pictures in them (like lockets)-ones shaped like beasts or ships often dangled on chains from smaller brooches

-jewelry, gemstones, and buttons were worn all over, sewn into clothes and hair

-girdles (like a decorative belt) often worn-could have tongue or not-often had a pomander (scent), fan, or a prayer book hanging at the end

JewelryMales

-men did wear jewelry-necklaces were usually those of office or longer gold chains-brooches were common, usually with a single large stone and smaller surrounding ones -like women, worn center chest, shoulder, or on hat-rings were worn, similar to the ones worn by women -the more rings, the more wealthy

-earrings could be worn in one ear (usually left)-always hoop style-sailors always wore this hoop earring

-gloves, usually white or tan -rings and bracelets would be worn outside of the gloves-almost always worn out-of-doors to keep the skin white (and for warmth)

-belts (less common for high noble females, mostly worn by the lower class)-made or leather, cloth, or rope-worn to sit closer to hips, and not meant to hold anything up-if wearing a girdle, not wearing a belt

-pockets-come in many styles, hang from waist-usually worn under overskirt-not often free-swinging due to the high number of pickpockets

-everyone has a handkerchief

General AccessoriesFemales

-pomander (for decoration and to keep away some of the nasty smells) or sweet bag (full of potpourri like stuff; same purpose)

-aprons (practical)

General AccessoriesFemales (Continued)

-ruffs were worn around neck-could be as many as 5 worn at a time-could be attached to partlet

-fans-could be straw, wood, or feather

-everyone has a knife (for eating)-baskets were used for

carrying things-could be covered (part of basket), if not then covered with a cloth

-zibellino

-stocking were made of wool or knitted-solid colors (no stripes!)-went to just above knee, and tied there with garters

General AccessoriesMales

-gauntlet (glove) used when fighting

-belts made of leather or rope, used to hold things, not hold pants up-could have D-ring or regular buckle

-pockets vary in style

-every gentleman would carry a sword and dagger at all times, usually in a matched set-hang from belt

-everyone has an eating knife

-men also wear ruffs, not as many though

-everyone has a handkerchief

-stockings

FootwearFemales

-soft soles-flat or heel, usually no more than 2’’ high. -toes of slipper shoes slightly rounded -high tongues, sometimes matching clothing-embroidered silk and brocades favoured-embroidery of brightly coloured or gold thread

Riding boots of Elizabeth I c1680

FootwearMales

mule

-lacing is brand new-similar to female shoes in most things

-boots were worn by military and riders (for when riding)-these boots would go past the knee to mid thigh

-mules were new French style-could be worn alone or over another shoeusually didn’t have as high heel as in picture

Today’s Activity

Skits

Skit Requirements

• In groups of 4 or 5• Use your correct accent• Be in character (act as if your character is thrown into

this situation)• Your skit will be based around a bag of props, which

you must use to make up a skit to entertain the Queen• The skit must be appropriate for the Queen’s eyes• It must be at least 2 minutes long• Each group member must speak at least twice, and

each member must use a prop

Judging

• You will perform your skit for everyone, while the heads critique

• Judging will be based on:– Correct accents– Character Realism– Overall creativity

• The winners will receive an award