King of the Log - Costumes

Costume Information for Volunteers

Thanks for volunteering! We know you'll look great as a poor peasant log worker!

In a nutshell: You don't need to supply your own outfit, but bring footwear if you can. A trained, highly skilled King of the Log Costume Attendant will issue a costume to you!

We have a good supply of peasant clothing for your use at the King of the Log site. We can fit almost anyone - - men, women and children. If you are an odd size or have special needs please contact your coordinator.

King of the Log's contract with the Minnesota Renaissance Festival requires each of us to follow the MRF's rules for our game to stay in operation. The festival represents approximately the years 1450–1600. As participants, our clothing and actions are supposed to portray this period as accurately as possible. Even though we are volunteers, while in costume we are part of the entertainment and we must abide by MRF's standards of dress and behavior.

*Special notes: the only item you should try to bring if possible is footwear. King of the Log has a couple baskets of shoes, mainly Chinese cloth slippers, but we have difficulty keeping them "paired up" and some sizes are in short supply. Going barefoot is prohibited for health and safety reasons. Chances are you have some perfectly acceptable 16^th century footwear in your closet. If not, don't make a big financial investment in new shoes, we'll find something. Look for simple slip-on shoes, clogs, or boots of leather or cloth. No athletic shoes, plastic, flip-flops, or industrial soles, please. Sandals are good, especially Birkenstock types, or even Teva strap-ons as a last resort. Plain moccasins (no fringe) or those leather slippers you got for Christmas are just fine.

If you would like to bring accessories to personalize your outfit, consider a belt or sash, handkerchief, hat, cup or bowl. Everyone can use a pouch or bag to carry money, pass, watch, etc. Pockets weren't sewn into clothing yet, and King of the Log does not supply pouches. 21^th century looking accessories such as contemporary jewelry, watches and glasses should be avoided. If you are wondering whether some particular clothing or accessory is appropriate to use please check with your Coordinator or our King of the Log Costumers. Remember to check out Fest shops, as well.

**At the end of your shift, ALL volunteers, should return ALL of the King of the Log's costume items to the Costume Attendant or the laundry bag**.

Cleaning and repairs will be taken care of, please let us know if you have any problem, or notice damage/soil.

Thanks for volunteering and supporting Barton Open School!

King of the Log

General Costuming information

Here is the information you need on costumes/clothing, divided into 3 sections:

The Basics: What every KOL Volunteer needs to know

A Little More: For those who want to add accessories or personal clothing to their outfits

Hooked on Renaissance Festival: Sources and ideas to help you dress your character

The Basics: What Every King of the Log Volunteer Needs to Know

Here's how to get dressed at the King of the Log. Don’t worry, the costumers will help you.

1. Select an outfit

Smaller people should leave the big clothing for the bigger people, rather than cinch it up to make it fit

Skirts should hang longer than mid-calf, but not so long that they drag on the ground or trip them. Multiple layers of skirts are great, too

Breeches (men’s pants) should be below the knee and above mid calf

Young boys should not put on men's breeches and let them hang to ankle length

If the clothing you like does not fit, do not attempt to make alterations! We’ll find you something else. Promise

2. Select your hat or headwear

If your hair is not period you MUST wear something on your head. Period hair is—

Men- chin length or longer

Women- shoulder length or longer

We have a good selection of cloth hats. Also, straw hats for sunny days

Other options include French braiding- sometimes available on KOL's site, garlands, snoods, or simply wrapping a piece of cloth around your head- get it wet first if it's a hot day

3. Make sure you've removed all traces of the 20th Century

Wristwatches, long underwear (conceal it), sunglasses, pagers, modern jewelry & hairstyles, nail polish, alternative hair colors (keep it under your hat), etc

While dressed in costume, you're part of the entertainment, so refrain from using pop cans, packaged snack food, cigarettes, cell phones, modern bags or purses, fanny packs, tissues, etc

Please confine use of these items to non-public areas

PLEASE wear contacts if you can

At the end of your shift, return ALL King of the Log's costume items to the rack or the laundry bag.

Cleaning and repairs will be taken care of. Please let us know if you have any problems or notice damage or soil

5. Personal items you may want to bring if you have them

Simple pouch or bag to carry your money, pass, watch, etc

Basket for your lunch, shopping, personal belongings. Use a cloth to camouflage the contents

Wooden/metal/pottery bowls or mugs

Sash or sturdy leather belt for your waist. Add a mug strap, tie your pouch on it, tuck your overskirt in it to beat the heat and show off your underskirts

Shawl, cloak, gloves, extra layers to protect from the weather. Hide your layers if modern, show them off if period

Fan, straw or very plain folding, handkerchief, walking staff, musical instrument, jewelry, garlands for the ladies hair, cloth hat or wide-brimmed straw hat

Shirt, peasant blouse, vest, bodice, skirts, knee breeches. Now you're getting serious, better check out the next sections

Purchasing or making your own costume

No sequins/lace/polyester/denim

Buttons, zippers, snaps, elastic, and pockets should not show

Skirts must be full length to the ankle

Suggested colors and shades are earth tones, light blue, yellow-brown, light pink, gray, muted reds

Suggested fabrics include linen, wool, canvas, rough looking cotton/cotton blends, etc

A note on prints—while not technically period, you can find some printed patterns, such as striped tapestry or paisley fabric that is a fair approximation of period. But, ALL of these prints should be shown to me BEFORE you buy and spend many hours of work making a costume. Acceptable designs and prints should be woven into the fabric, rather then printed

Shoes must be worn at all times. (Renaissance festival policy L)

No tennis shoes

No visible modern socks

No shoes with Velcro, obvious rubber soles or platforms

Moccasins, leather sandals, leather or cloth shoes are O.K

Feet wrapped in rags are always stylish

Look for simple slip-on shoes, clogs, or boots of leather or cloth

No athletic shoes, plastic, flip-flops, or industrial soles, please

Sandals are good, especially Birkenstock types, or even Teva strap-ons as a last resort

Plain moccasins (no fringe) or those leather slippers you got for Christmas are just fine

Tops must be worn at all times.

Sleeves must be worn at least elbow length

Shoulders, midriffs and nipples must be covered at all times- men and women

No bodices or vests without shirt underneath

Weapons and accessories.

No heavy weaponry may be worn while referring the King of the Log game, except for Tournament performers during Tournament time

Small knives, daggers, period eating utensils, belts and pouches are O.K

All sharp pointy objects must be peace-tied

Just a reminder that King of the Log participants will most often find that Fest merchants will give them a discount on their purchases. If you have any questions contact our Costume Mistress Ellen Hein at panthersunstar@yahoo.com

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the KOL costumers, or you may call the costume shop at Mid America Festivals.

3) Hooked on Renaissance Festival: Sources and ideas to help you dress your
character

If you want to do some sewing and make all or some of your costume, go for it! Peasant clothing is simple in style, and not hard to make. Mid-America Festivals Costume Shop has been very helpful in the past with answers to questions, patterns to trace, and lists of suppliers.

There is a lot of information and inspiration available in the library, museum, pattern counter of the fabric store, and in the movies. A search on Amazon.com will get you a huge selection of books. With the increasing popularity of Renaissance Faires, many people are selling clothing or posting pictures and information on the internet. Much of this is very good. You will find that prices vary a lot, and some of what you see is not within the guidelines of our local festival. If the look in question is on the "don't" list, or if you have any doubts at all, check it out before putting your time, money and effort into it.

Try not to get your ideas from the fantasy TV shows like Xena, Hercules, Robin Hood, or even Star Trek. They're fun, people have worn this sort of stuff to the Festival, but it's not allowed for participants. We have a list of some movies you might find at the video store that would be more helpful.

At this revision of the guidelines, I have just seen the movie Shakespeare in Love, and highly recommend it for overall flavor and for some nice peasant clothing ideas. And it's really fun!

The Renaissance Entertainment Corporation, which runs the big California Faires, has some good clothing information on its website. Most of it applies to our festival also. See their site at http://www.renfair.com/socal/participant/costuming.php. Another site: http://renaissance.dm.net/sites.html

Thanks for your interest!

King of the Log Costumers

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