Creating an Authentic Renaissance Look with Detailed Accessories Guide

1. Renaissance Accessories how to create an authentic appearance all the little things that make or break your costume

2. 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! What Class / Origin?

3. 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 Accessories

4. 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 with jewelry, gem stones, beads, feathers, and/or flowers

5. HatsFemales coif attifet Italian bonnet flat cap toque Gable hood French hood solano / sun hat muffin cap tall hat

6. 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)

7. HatsMales coif muffin cap / bag hat toque flat cap capitano tall hat

8. 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 -eyebrows were plucked to be very thin and high -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

9. -earrings are not common, but when worn, they are usually large and ornate or chandelier style -all earrings are hoop style JewelryFemales -bracelets were common, and of many types, from small and delicate to cuffs -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 -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

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

11. 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

12. General AccessoriesFemales -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) -everyone has a handkerchief -pomander (for decoration and to keep away some of the nasty smells) or sweet bag (full of potpourri like stuff; same purpose) -aprons (practical) -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

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

14. -gauntlet (glove) used when fighting General AccessoriesMales -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 -stockings -every gentleman would carry a sword and dagger at all times, usually in a matched set -hang from belt -everyone has a handkerchief -everyone has an eating knife -men also wear ruffs, not as many though

15. 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

16. FootwearMales -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 shoe usually didn’t have as high heel as in picture mule

17. Today’s Activity Skits

18. 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

19. 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