Alright, we’re officially Ren Faire people.
If we hear about one, we are going.
This particular Renaissance Faire – held in downtown San Jose for one weekend only – we heard about last summer from a guy who came to fix the cabinet in our rental (and who called me ‘milady’ and actually bowed to me when he left). We considered going, and then realized that would mean wandering around a hot, dusty field one week prior to my due date and thought…eh. Mayhap (see what I did there?!) not the best idea.
So this year: went. Every time we go I end up going a tiny bit further with our costumes. I’m still not ready to go full-out yet – mostly because wearing an actual corset or face paint looks insanely uncomfortable, not to mention hot – but this time I went for a gown with big, sweeping wings and a flower wreath. Kendrick wore his Johnny Depp shirt (that’s what I call it, anyway: it’s an embroidered women’s blouse from the ’70s and I think he looks super hot in it) and his pirate bandanna. And the kids? Goldie started out in a floaty retro top and fringe sandals, and Indy picked out his own outfit (a pirate swim shirt and a pair of “soft shorts,” which are the only things he will put on his body these days)…but then, once we arrived?
Sparkling angel wings (well, technically “dragon wings” for Indy).
AW.
AWWWWW.
I want them to wear them every day.
If you’re looking for a Ren Faire in your area (as you should be), there’s a huge one happening in Northern California starting in mid-September, and the awesome one we used to go to in upstate New York is going on now through the end of September. You can find a full list broken down by state here.
Go! Go! Drink mead! Eat turkey legs! Wear elf ears and angel wings! Fail to understand anyone and everyone who asks you a question, because they are speaking totally unintelligible “Queen’s English”! (It’s so fun. Go.)
Before you go, let’s quickly go over what to wear if you (like me) aren’t especially into (or are too lazy to figure out) “actual” costumes:
For The Kids:
Think loose and comfortable with fringe and flowers. Maybe a pirate insignia or two That’ll do. (Because really, you know you’re buying them a sword and a pair of those wings once you get there, anyway.)
And For You:
Go for light and flowy. I think a long dress is preferable to a short one because it looks more thematic; it’ll get a little dusty, but whatever. If you pick a basic floral maxi, you’re good – because really, it’s all in the accessories (fringe boots, lots of jewelry, a flower crown, etc.) Don’t forget to belt your dress, because there are all sorts of fun things you can hang from that belt (feathers, flasks, apothecary jars, knives to wield off brigands, whatever). And pleeeeeease wear comfortable shoes, because these things involve quite a lot of walking and usually pretty unstable ground.
