Rennaisance Faires

[BluWolf]

I wouldn't say you got bent over or anything but you paid a little on the high side for what you are getting.

Best place to find Ren stuff is actually on ebay AFTER the season. A friend of mine got a decent pair of knee high leather boots with a decent sole for about $25.

F5 is right. If you buy AT the faire you be paying ankle grabbing prices. I know. I have done this.

On a side note, I have only been too a few different faires bu the one in Maryland is the best IMX.

 

[Corinth]

Hell yes you spent too much! Never buy it when you can have it made for you, and all you need to do is foot the materials cost; I did this for years, and I got away with spending no more than $30 on materials. Find someone who's either a Rennie or a SCA member, knows his stuff and approach them about it. Do the same for all accessories, although weapons and instruments will probably require a purchase from a dealer. (Depends upon the weapon, really.)

 

[dr jekyll]

Hell yes you spent too much! Never buy it when you can have it made for you, and all you need to do is foot the materials cost; I did this for years, and I got away with spending no more than $30 on materials.

Then you are extremely fortunate, Corinth. If I were to make Ren Faire equipment for you, then you are absolutely paying me for my time as well as materials cost. Life is too short to make garb and accessories for other people for no recompense.

$80 for a full costume seems pretty reasonable. If the cloth is of good quality, and the workmanship likewise, then you got off pretty easy. Check out Chivalry Sports for certain equpment. They are a bit pricey sometimes, but I have found their quality to be fairly high.

http://www.chivalrysports.com

dr jekyll

 

[ladyofdragons]

Hell yes you spent too much! Never buy it when you can have it made for you, and all you need to do is foot the materials cost; I did this for years, and I got away with spending no more than $30 on materials. Find someone who's either a Rennie or a SCA member, knows his stuff and approach them about it. Do the same for all accessories, although weapons and instruments will probably require a purchase from a dealer. (Depends upon the weapon, really.)

heh. I'm just starting my own company that makes ren garb (Wolves Den Trading Company, not much up there yet except some goofy ladies bloomers, I have 3 men's shirts to make this week). I did the 'free garb' thing a few years back, and I will NEVER do it again. my time is much too valuable to do this for free. Also, you get what you pay for. Most people I know who make ren garb for themselves are beginners who make horrible fabric choices (although I do know several who are fantastic seamstresses).

I charge about $60 for a man's linen shirt. it costs me about $30 for the materials, and takes about 4 hours from start to finish, which means I'm making a paltry $7.50/hour, which is less than some burger slingers in my area make. Think about it when you're buying ren garb, that it's not made by some little lady in taiwan who makes $5 a week and the company gets all the profit, it's made by someone who has the same cost of living that you do.