Medieval Costume DIY | Starter LARP/FAIR Outfit for 0$ 

I feel like this is *the* kind of video that youtube (or internet at large) was meant for. An experienced hobbyist sharing his knowledge on how to get into a hobby with as low of an entry barrier as possible, making it accessible to people from all paths of life. Very considerate of you to do it, and I applaud you, good sir.

Ok, working mom here.... hard, long hour working mom... got home from work at midnight to see a note from my son. See, He has a field trip tomorrow, and I get to go! They've been studying medieval times and we're going on a tour of a real castle. We will all start as pages and hopefully graduate to knighthood. Anyway, costumes are encouraged. He didn't want to dress up, though I was dying to! Well, apparently at last minute he changed his mind and wants to be a peasant. I was slightly in panic mode, but this video was a huge help!! Thanks so much!

Unfortunately, men's fashion has taken a major hit over the past few centuries. This was an excellent video, helping us poor men do well with what little is available.

LOL my wife is the living embodiment of what you said about Women's clothing. A friend went to the Ren Faire with us and didn't know what to wear, so my wife went to her closet and pulled out a few items and said "Try these on".... they were clothes she wears on a daily basis😆

I made a legolas costume and wore it to the fair and the greeter there bowed and said "you're the only legolas I've seen all year!" He was ecstatic and I felt great lol

Pro tip for ladies- scarves, especially ones that are wide enough that you can wrap them like a shawl. You can even use infinity scarves like a peasant cowl if they’re big enough and you wrap + pin them right.

I literally do not understand how you’re not among the ranks of shadiversity and skallagrim, this is superb quality content. Great stuff, will share it.

Fun fact about those waffle-textured underclothes: When Greg and Tim Hildebrandt were illustrating "The Lord of the Rings," they dressed their models in waffle underwear as reference to represent chain mail.

This is a fantastic video. Another tip I've done in the past, when a friend has no proper footware, is to wrap their tennis shoes in burlap. That works well for children as well. Also, mostly for kids, get an old white t-shirt with no logos. Cut off the collar, cuffs, and bottom. Then soak it in water with black tea bags. It dyes it to a great yellow-white color. Black or brown sweats and you got yourself a peasant's costume.

As a goth I haven't a hard time piecing together an ensemble my husband however only has Victorian outfits so this was most helpful!

“Because.... hi.” Smooth. 😏 Good ideas, well presented. Well done, sir.

Time to start converting my wardrobe to be more medieval so I can look properly eccentric!

Another tip: If you want your character to wear fur you can go to ikea or whatever (in switzerland we have obi, ikea etc.) And get one of those faux fur carpet and cut it into shape I did it and it works great my character wears fur "tassets" over the tunic with a wide belt and it fits for my northern dwarven style (it kinda looks like ive killed and skinned 3 wolves one for each leg and one for a fur "cape")

As a broke dude who was the jeans and a tshirt guy at my first ren faire last year (it was actually shorts and a tshirt), and is so excited to go again this year, I can already tell your channel is going to save my "wasted at ren faire budget" from being entirely spent on a costume the week before that wont even look good

Honestly if the clothing is neutral enough you can just grab womens clothes for some parts. Just because something is in the mens or womens section doesn't mean you can't wear it. If it isn't too frilly and more of a neutral type of clothing that happens to be in the womens section then you can grab that and use that. Sadly mens fashion and clothing is kinda static.

For level two, if you have a pullover style hoodie (so, no zipper) that you can modify, remove the sleeves, and the handwarmer pocket (if there is one) and you can start there. If you are so inclined, you can get a grommet kit, split the front, fold the edges over and use the grommets as lacing holes (possibly level three)

I'm a woman and have been larping for 16 years - but I LOVED this video 🥰🥳

I've been thinking about this since watching and something just occurred to me. You mentioned that you're not sure about women's clothing, but still managed to make a couple of suggestions. I have another suggestion. Many women have leggings of some variety. It seems to me that they could be used as hose, just need to cover up the elastic at the top and bottom. I know this video is about doing a costume for $0 but leggings are usually cheap so a guy could grab himself a pair that fits.

Instead of Brooch you can use jute twine or leather thongs/strings or make then from leather scraps. To save those blankets you love of course.

One of the things you can do for Level 1 garb is to turn the sweatpants inside out (tucking the pockets in, because, duh) and they look very similar to "woolen hose". This way, it doesn't look like sweatpants.

This is the best video on newbie garb that I've seen in 20 years. Well done! And I learned what a waffle henley shirt is. I have a couple just never learned what they were called.

Im gonna level with you, I mostly wear women clothing when dressing for larp, to the point I routinely go browse the womens section and know my sizes and measurements for it. Its way cheeper, easier to find, and omg the boots selection alone is worth it

Shoes are absolutely the holy grail of garb. They make or break your look

Just shared this video with a bunch of friends and you got some new subscriptions, sir! My wife was cracking up at all your jokes about the ladies clothes. FYI, we found this video when searching for videos about cloaks and brooches because my two boys are loving the Prydain book series and want to do some dress up. Adaon’s brooch to your RU-vid channel - what a world.

Coming back to this vid every Ren Fair

My very first Renn Faire outfit was simple and only cost me like $2. Black sweat pants, moccasin boots, a yard of cloth (the $2) that I cut a hole in to fit my head through, and a belt. The fabric became a basic peasant tunic that I belted off. simple, easy, and oddly enough, many thought I worked at the Faire that day.

That sword is driving me nuts. Its bloking the door from opening. Does not decrease the level of the video, excellent work.

I'm a big medieval clothing and textile nerd and imo this was pretty excellent. It's great to help demystify medieval clothing and make it more accessible. Love the hoodie hoods and hose, very inventive! Done the Chelsea boots and blanket cloaks and Asian style ('kurta'?) under shirts before - good advice. I would add a straw or felt wide brimmed hat with a round crown, if wanted; great for hot sunny days. White veils for femmes, from an old sheet or scarf, pinned with sewing pins if needed, is so ubiquitous and unmistakably medieval.

CT faire shared you and this was great! now when my guy friends say they have nothing medieval for the faire i can show them this!

Maybe unconsciously for all these years I’ve bought stuff that fits but you’re right, I’ve discovered my wardrobe is 30% medieval and 35% pirates (because hey “everything’s better with pirates!”) and all works perfectly for a “very soft everyday LARP” (I don’t know how to call it!) because are my actually dresses, not random stuff for costumes. About boots (not blue ones of course)…have you ever notice how different anyone walks with boots instead of sneakers? So much heavy and bold, so much adventurer! I’m putting together some outfits and now I can wear my garb if I want to have fun and don’t look ridiculous (I’m 48, understand!) …outside I’m ok, in my mind I’m ready for an adventure, whether I walk the dog in the woods or need go to town. I've never think about it and I had it under my eyes in all these years...You taught and old dog new tricks, I’m very grateful, you lightened my life.

If you do make that modern hoodie hood, cut the plastic tips off the shoelace-style drawstring cord, and stitch the ends shut. Bonus points for removing the grommet and stitching that hole as well, or at least doing something to take the chrome level shine off of it. The modern plastic ends and the shiny modern grommets are the remaining giveaway that the hood started life as a fleece hoodie!

this is so great! my husband isn't into larp or medieval things so he wont ever wear a costume, but this!! this works so well with every day clothes. thank you!

Woman here. Can confirm. I have the long hooded cardigan. It has pockets. I wear it belted when I DM on cool days. My mother found it. It's one of my favorite garments. I also have the advantage of already being pretty proficient at the backstitch.

The renaissance fair is in town this month. Trying to get my gf and I looking apparently. Thanks man.

This video shows that there are no excuses to not dress up for a faire! Really resourceful and thoughtful video here, new favorite channel!

4 years ago I had a 1000 dollars. I was going to put together the most creative custom epic somewhat fantasy medieval outfit, armor, and gear and was going to find a way to make it super lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear but I didn't know how and then 2 years went by and I had nothing! This bro is a genius! Thoe then again maby I'm just bad at costume design, lol

Thanks for mentioning the shoes. I have been working on my costume for over 10 years but as a student, the budget for medieval leather shoes was always too much... But I have recently been thinking I should invest in them nonetheless. Your words just highlighted how important they are!

So happy that the RU-vid algorithm lead me to your channel - can't wait to explore your other content. Just so HAPPY to find someone focused on Men's Renaissance/ Medieval/ LARP'ing content for MEN! I know that a.lot of men don't get into it but for those that love to Cosplay AND do Renaissance Faires - this is a great resource. I'm a fairly skilled, self-taught sewer and have also noticed that there are almost zero videos on at least putting together a McCall's (or other commercial sewing pattern) for Renaissance (usually not historically accurate costumes) so maybe, if I can get organized, I can create content around that. But THANK YOU for this video (and for your channel). You look amazing and the layers are great.

there aren't a lot of larp clothing video's for men out there, let alone one's this helpful

Just came over from Shadversity, upon hearing that good sir extoll your merits. I was greeted by this fantastic (and so very useful) introductory video on your home page...and subscribed on the spot. Looking forward to exploring your channel!

Dude this is so cool!! I'm literally going to a renaissance fair in two days

As a costume designer i love watching these channels and yours gives that charisma i respect for people who are looking for both a budget and effective way to keep the style alive. Medieval and fantasy is my prime theme and iblove making pieces based on these all the time like with my latest project

9:20 I am going to throw this channel’s name around the D&D community now, because with these videos, you deserve the same recognition as Lord Shad himself.

Well that was interesting. I hand sew a new outfit for each Renn. Faire Year.

bro im in the middle of making a medieval short film and this is GOLDEN

Best advise from this.. wear your own clothes.. they fit and make you feel comfortable thus believable to be something a character would wear.

MEN - Men's Khaki's, Pleated or Plain Front-Brown or Grey are fine as well. Mandarin Collared shirts, Henley-style shirts-Both are good. Wear a brown or black leather belt. Brown or black leather shoes or boots-NOT western boots. An Old Wool blanket -fold in half and cut hole to put head through. Wear belt around blanket tunic. If any leather drawstring or other leather pouch. Scottish Bonnet ar driving cap will work for hat. Solid or Plaid colored wool blanket as cloak would be great if available.

I like the medieval look for my every day look, and thank you for the tips on women's boots! I've been trying to work up enough courage to tackle working with leather, and maybe I don't have to. Low-heeled oxblood leather boots that come mid-calf and include straps wrapped around them already? I think I might have scored a hit, there! I also cleaned them and I have them coated with a blend of beeswax and jojoba oil. It not only cleans, but waterproofs the leather while allowing it to breathe. And for my first cloak pin, I cut to size and sanded a chopstick, then coated it with the beeswax blend. Bamboo chopsticks are long-fibered and don't break easily. Sanding removes splinters, and beeswax makes them smooth. There's a bit of a head on the top end, as well. Still works wonderfully after several years.

this is really helpful i basically wore brown pants light green self dyed shirt and flip flops for my first ren faire lol

How did I survive without your channel beforehand? I love this so much.

Blanket cloaks are awesome. My dad let me have a scratchy old grey wool blanket, and it was perfect. I got a nice penannular pin from the Townsends, but your nail idea is brilliant. I wish I'd thought of that.

Estate sales are fantastic for fasteners and accessories. I’ve found many beautiful pins, brooches, and other pieces of jewelry that way. Especially good if you are doing fantasy medieval-one of my joys is a leaf brooch I found that was silver and gold themed, and became a deep cut piece as Pippin’s elven brooch that Aragorn finds (“not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall” and all that-by that time, the green of the brooch had faded to silver…which I imagine was due to the elf magic lol)

The thing where you spot a nice medieval thing I get so good!!

Remember, kids, thrift stores are your friends. I haven't quite yet gotten into LARP or Ren Fairs or what have you, but I do cosplay sometimes. Thrift stores have saved me from selling a kidney.

Fantastic video dude! Super informative and flows together well, and your personality shines through. Keep it up, you're going places!

I saw this dude on Shadiversity and I've been looking all over for him since and IVE FINALLY FOUND HIM! subbed

Quick brooch idea...a nail was already suggested, but if you go to "that aisle" in Home Depot or Lowe's (the one that says "CHAINS, SCREWS, AND TIE DOWNS"...we know you giggle every time you see it), towards the hardware for chains you'll see chromed metal rings of a couple sizes, either singly or as a two-pack and relatively cheap in price...they run less than brass rings at craft stores and, whether or not you remove the chrome or not, coupled with a nail they're a ready-to-go annular brooch...penannular if you have a set of bolt cutters at home.

I was writing just to kill time, and listening to this for background noise. And you reminded me of a character from a story I was writing last year who made a brooch from a spare purse ring, a nail, and a leather thong. Basically he pulled a self-button through the ring, stabbed the nail in, and secured everything with the leather lace. Each piece individually could make a cheap brooch. But together they make a cheap and fairly sturdy brooch fit for a bodger moonlighting as a henchman.

Also, to enhance thin soled leather boots, cut larger vehicle tire strips or pieces to boot outline with chalk and use either twine or boot laces or leather thong strips to tie the tire pieces over the sole. I cut mine out with bolt cutters and wire cutters and used gorilla glue to make reinforced sole over moccasin boot soles including a toe cover to enhance protection, which is more important than having a flat sole on moccasin boots, particularly if you intend to CAMP or hike in your costumer/period gear and wardrobe. =)

About to go to my first fair and found your channel. You’re a life saver and your content is awesome. Thank you ❤

"Good Luck?!?" You are talking to beginning adventurers, people who will live and die by the sword. You are their teacher, not their friend. Their job is to be ice cold in the face of danger, and you do them a disservice by being cozy. You don't say 'Good Luck", you say 'Good Hunting!'. . . Sorry - I was channeling Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica there for a minute. My Cylon brain must be having a glitch. ;) All of this HAS happened before, and it will all happen again. That would be a great motto for SCA events and such. This is a fun channel BTW.

If you have foot issues that require modern footwear and/or not quite enough money for more pairs of shoes, spats (a type of shoe covering) can make level 1-2 leather shoes stretch to level 3; they're common in steampunk costuming for that reason

This video is awesome. When I invited friends on a larp for their first time I send them this video. It is super helpful for them to decide what to wear, what to borrow, etc.

Thanks for this video, very useful, I will participate in a medieval festival in two months, I ve seen lots of movies trying to make an acurate custome, so THANKS AGAIN

Something about the speech and presentation of this video really comes across to me like Internet Shaquille’s cooking videos, which I also jive with super well. Really loved this video and found it super helpful!

Im on my historical slash individual journey of clothing for a while And the fun thing is that the boots that hold my outfit together are a pair of dark blue(!) barefoot leather boots So thats proof anything can be achieved with a bit of creative freedom Im a sucker for what we call historical accuracy even though the term can be disputed about But I also like retrofuturism and Avantgarde

I'm here from a Shadiversity Shoutout. Checking you out for him, Subbed and staying for the content.

for ladies, with our easy access to "peasant wear" shirts and skirts, the fastest upgrade is material. Its super easy to find tiered skirts and peasant blouses at places like marshals, but there's a big difference in the way a polyester one and a cotton one and a linen one look. If you can, get cotton or linen (less sweaty than poly too. this is especially true if you want to layer them.) Also APRONS omg aprons make every peasant fit look immediately better, and you can make them with an old pillow case. Period accurate? maybe not. convincing? yes!

First, I love your channel. I'm relatively new to it but have spent years researching for historical medieval reenactment (I spend my time in 12th-14th century Northern Europe as per my actual ancestory) and I've spend untold amounts of money on garb. It's rediculously hard for males to dress than women. You should point out that your advice on boots is an anachronistic shortcut. Most people, even in historical reenacting, will do exactly what you suggested for the dual reason that 1) their own boots way more comfortable to wear all day and 2) 99% of observers won't notice. Hollywood has spoiled out view of history, but in actuality leather was expensive and only people with a special need would wear boots. Most wore various versions of turnshoes, but even if we all turned to 100% accuracy in our garb, I doubt we'd put a dent in Son of Sandlar's sales. If you are building a medieval LARP costume, you really should be more specific on each stage. One would never wear chausses and pants together, for the same reason you'd not wear 2 pairs of pants. Chausses ARE pants, just a few centuries earlier, and would never be word such that the underclothes, or braes, would be seen but rather under a long tunic. Showing off your underwear wouldn't come into style for a few centuries after that. I know this is an old video, but I just noticed I had notices turned off for you! Fixed that! And thanks for high quality vids!

I'd wear these even when not larping

I am looking to make my own outfit. I wear a skirt most days. I have a leather sandals that have a kind of Roman solder look going on I am keen to design interesting things to add to my look. Ty for the video it was informative. As for men's fashion, I would say its been dead in the water for sometime. So I am doing my own thing, and brave enough to wear it out in public. So much has been lost to the horrid suits I see everywhere. People had such interesting things they use to wear, but not in these days, its just dark colored suits that have taken over many cultures formal wear. I have to make my own cloths due to being more of an unique shape. I would say this is a blessing in disguise. I have already hand sewn a outer court robe with lined hood, and I did this with no help or information, and I made no mistakes and it turned out perfect. It was made of green crushed velvet. These days I have to look up many you tubes and pain over over details and get very little done due to procrastination.

Been looking for inspiration for costuming for a while. And this is the best video I've found so far. I won't have to borrow spare pieces from the event organisers anymore lol

Hey Kramer, just wanted to thank you for these videos. My buddy and I went to a big Ren Faire in Washington this week and decided to go in costume for the first time. Your advice for making some starter costumes was invaluable and I was actually really proud of how I ended up looking. Keep up the good work man!

just a thought take the sleeves you cut off the hoodie cut em at the seam, cut the rounded shoulder off open up the hoodie trim to fit the bottom of the hoodie, and sew together, voila extended tunic

Man, a friend of mine just shared your cloak video with me and now ... I'm stuck binge watching your content and planning my 20 medieval costumed that I'll probably never use :D such fun and useful content at the same time, thanks!

The white button down shirt is good if you can sew. Cut the cuffs off cut the caller off an hem the sleeves and reset the neck spot without the caller. I cut off the buttons an punched holes where the buttons where and used leather chord running through all the holes also cut the bottom flat across

Thank you for this. Awesome video for the occasional Renfest attendee.

As someone dressing traditionally feminine, I confirm that 90% of the cool, epic, medieval-looking clothes can be found in the woman part of a shop. A good tip to give a more medieval flavour a feminine outfit: wrap a white/light cloured scarf around wour head . Or wear braided updos if you don't like covering your hair. It really give that historical idea. But head-scarves are really good to hide non-historical hair colours or short hair.

With regard to shoes, while a basic tennis shoe might stand out, you can go with the darker color (black/brown) ones with matching gaiters over them, or just cloth ones you can make with heavier material that come close. You can also buy some for relatively cheap at a lot of sports and field stores that work rather well to disguise them. While more correct boots do tend to look better, if you have larger feet or other requirements, the gaiters are a far cheaper solution...and can make things easier for dealing with for larps or if you're going to the ren fair when it's been a bit wet. It also lets you have cheaper options that work well for safety, I've preferred trail runners to hiking boots for anything for a long while as I've had fewer issues with injuries in wearing them than with hiking boots...and I'm outside of the easy option for boots that would look correct.

I’m just listening to this while I sketch out the designs for my friend and I’s satyr outfits.

0:59 dudes gonna wind up canceled in today's cult-ure 😂😂 Great video dude! I've recently gotten big into Renaissance and medieval garb and this video brought up a huge step in my game

From Modern History, The Metatron and Shadiversity and you I find satisfaction in my historical interests.

Very organized and easy to understand, thanks!

I found a tan pair of womens nubby silk lounge pants on sale that worked great for a homespun pair of men's pants. That along with a few yards of muslin for a tunic a couple belts, and some crocheted jute for a few pouches made an excellent costume

Getting ready to put up a HS production of Robin Hood, and you, sir, are a lifesaver. Thank you!

I have enjoyed medieval fares fora long time. I am a trans man so when I was younger it was much more difficult but now I have garb I really enjoy. Yea it takes time but well worth it plus you are absolutely correct as you go on and build your persona and garb it tells the story of your character. I started out with a awesome peasant garb and then worked up to a medieval executioner garb that’s very accurate and realistic. Btw awesome video to help people who want to get more involved. Awesome and great advice.

I can't even tell you how true the "What's this, a slightly Medieval Garment/Boots... It's for women." is for me! lol. Although, its honestly hard enough to shop for modern clothing for myself, as I am Approx. 350lbs, close to 6'2 1/2(And still growing...), American Shoe size 14 1/2 Wide: Man-Child. (Self-Proclaimed, of course. Although... I have been called so in kinder, as well as less kind, wording.)

Holy motherload of information! My friends and I are looking at role playing as an adventuring party for next years Ren fest and this is a ton of fantastic information!

I'm happy I just stummbled on to your channel. I went to my first Ren Faire this year and I'm sold, I want to join a guild. I'm 35 and feel like I wasted so much of my life not being a faire person.

This is amazing and im only just starting in larp so this is perfect

Been looking for costume ideas for my D&D character (he's a wood elf druid). This helped so much. Definitely subscribing! Thanks for the video!

Best tutorial, seriously! 10/10

the editing showing your character designs is really great, you handsome young devil. Btw the hoodie-sleeve-hose are next level genius

Thank you very much for these concrete tips and tricks. I managed to pretty quickly assemble a pretty desent outfir, I'd place it at level 3 even! I was certain I was gonna have to buy a super expensive completed outfit but this was all I needed!

Best content I've seen in decades. Thank u so much

imma take these advices to cosplay as a tropeiro, a south american colonial knight if you may. Thanks for the help!

6:53 Us girls are always stealing guys hoodies so it seems only fair that you should steal something from us. Not sure if it'll fit but you can try. Also, you kind of look like Bard or Jon Snow and I think it's awesome.

I'm going to the UKs first US style faire and it's fantasy themed, so I'm going more howl's moving castle adjacent. Despite using stuff I already had and buying second hand, I spent 6hrs today hand sewing trim onto a petticoat for texture

dunno if i already mentioned this comment, this might be a repost but, this video is EXCELLENT. I do historical reenactment, mainly centred around viking age, and 13th-14th century west europe (myself i do a byzantine middle class man) while the SPECIFIC goals and rules you outline arnt specifically usable for reenactment, your line about starting the ground up...is a excellent piece of advice... and one ive always told to new, and veteren reenactors, do Simple WELL, rather than doing complex badly... far too often ive seen people buy helmets and tunics that are decorated to vaguely look high status, but due to being on a budget, lots of corners are cut and it LOOKS... Cheap.... wheras a simple solid colour tunic out of some decent fabric with a simple belt and simple pouch and hood.. it looks SO GOOD.

I love medieval my favorite Stuff is greens and browns outfits Also fantasy. forest men people who like to live in the woods and not buildings. And don’t hurt nature live in caves underground holes or trees style homes. I wish I could live and work with costumes making medieval costumes and Halloween costumes. I love Halloween medieval and festivals and wish I could do more with people