Bring Authenticity To The Occasion With Historical Costumes

By Don Reynolds

There are many occasions where historical costumes introduce that touch of authenticity that is essential to project the right atmosphere. Take a Renaissance Fair, for example. It would be pointless if everybody was wearing 20th century clothing, as it is the clothing of the period that gives people the sensation of actually being there in the Europe of the 14th – 17th centuries.

Nor would a Civil War reenactment seem very authentic without the participants wearing the military tunics of the period. Not only that though, because even the 19th century jewelry, accessories and armaments add to the excitement and the feeling that you are actually there as an onlooker, watching the dancing and the battles actually take place. Naturally, historical costumes such as these are often made by the participants, but they are also available to buy online.

Anne Boleyn gowns, capes and hats are available online, or if you prefer to be more European than English, then you can purchase gowns worn by the ladies of Florence or Anjou during the Renaissance period. For something not so specific, there are gowns worn by typical renaissance maidens, dresses worn by the ordinary people of the day or even a peasant’s blouse. Accessories include a farthingale, women’s leather boots, capes and hats, and elegant costumes suitable for empresses, queens or princesses.

For the men there is a selection of swordsmen’s shirts, doublets and leather pants along with the authentic boots to go with them. Naturally, you can also purchase the swords, daggers and weapons that people would carry with them in these days – not unlike today, though then it was legal!

For Civil War reenactments you can purchase just about anything you can think of, from the traditional kepis to the full uniforms, belts and sashes. Many people are so traditional that they dress in the exact costume for the regiment they purport to serve in, down to the exact number and design of buttons and even the traditional stitching, but such realism is a bit too expensive for most people.

All historical costumes are not restricted to just the Civil War and the Renaissance period, however, and there is a much wider selection available to those that want them. Traditional Scottish costumes, for example, include the traditional early kilts for the men, with the correct shirts and sporrans. There is also the William Wallace great kilt that covered the entire body, with an accompanying belt.

For the women there are a number of underskirts, skirts, chemises, bodices and kilts available, and for all of these there are also some tradition accessories such as horns, belts and sporrans. If you want to look traditionally Scots, then you most certainly can.

If you want to go right back to the Crusades of the Medieval period, you can purchase tunics, capes and robes, including Hospitaller and Knights Templar capes and tunics. From the Medieval period you may also acquire a number of different gambesons, brigandines, gowns, capes and tunics, plus boots and shoes of the period. For those preferring to be peasants, there is a selection of tunics and drawstring pants to choose from. You can even dress up like Robin Hood or Maid Marion if you prefer.

If you want to go right back to the Viking period in history, you can purchase a genuine reindeer skin (from the Lapps that breed and kill them for food like we do sheep and cattle, and not for the fur) or a complete Viking outfit for the men, and Scandinavian princess costume (for the ladies of course).

However, not all costumes available online are historical, although it could be argued that the Star Wars costumes on offer are historical costumes, in that the events in the movies took place ‘long, long ago’. So if you want to dress up like Anekin or Luke Skywalker, Hans Solo or Obi-Wan Kenobi, then you can choose from a wide range of costumes and footwear.

So, whether you want a historical costume to make an event such as a Renaissance Fair appear more authentic or just because you want to dress as a Roman gladiator, there is a wide range available online, limited only by how much you are prepared to spend. However, in addition to that more historical purpose, you can also acquire costumes of a more specific nature.

Take Harry Potter, for example. There are now Harry Potter costumes available that enable people to look like their favorite characters, Harry himself, or perhaps the dreaded Voldemort. Or maybe your kids, or even you, want to dress up for Halloween with a witch’s costume, or perhaps as a warlock or wizard. There is a fabulous selection available. Hardly historical costumes, but great fun nevertheless.

About the Author: A wide range of

Historical Costumes and Accessories

is available from

Unique Gifts and Dcor

where you will also find a wonderful selection of gifts of many types for any occasion.

Source:

isnare.com

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