What is a peasant man?

We define the peasant man as a lower classed merchant man, a working man, or even a beggar, depending on the fabric choices and the level of society you are looking for.  A less expensive and potentially cooler costume, the peasant costume is especially popular in the hot summer months.

Do I have any Pictures?

How period accurate do I want to be?  Do I want a zipper, buttons or laces?

In the peasant man's costume, the easiest was to make you costume inaccurate is to choose the wrong colors.  Peasants wore not only the browns we think of, but a wide variety of colors.  Blues, greens, and yellow were common.  Trim was rarely, if ever, used.  In a peasant costume a lot of the closure options are solved for you.  Peasants didn't button their jerkins as the cost of buttons was too high for them to afford.  Lacing is an option as shown in the pictures.  Elastic waists are very common for pants since they are covered by the shirt and/or jerkin; however, a drawstring waist is also an option.  Simply think about how much convenience is an issue and determine whether speed or period accuracy will win out.

How often do I plan to wear my costume? How often will it need to be cleaned?

Whether you plan to wear your costume once or every day of the faire, peasant costumes are pretty forgiving as far as cleaning goes.  They really can be the workhorse of your Renaissance wardrobe.  A peasant costume can be a great back-up costume for a noble or merchant in case of bad weather or muddy conditions.  It is, again, important to wash all of your fabrics before cutting them if you want to be able to machine wash your garment.

Do I have to wear tights?

Many men are intimidated by Renaissance costumes because they are so incredibly different from the dress of today.  Certain concessions can be made to modern tastes.  There are alternatives to tights and a codpiece isn't a requirement.  If you are uncomfortable wearing tights, opt for a longer pair of pants and knee boots.  Perhaps consider a Cavalier look with longer pants and boots.

What is a codpiece and do I have to wear one?

The origin of the codpiece lies in the early part of the Renaissance.  Men literally used to put their pants on one leg at a time, there was no connection through the crotch.  When the shorter doublet became more popular, the codpiece became the way to cover the crotch area.  Henry VIII brought codpieces into a new generation, making a three-sided codpiece that was large enough to extend from under his skirted tunic.  The size of codpieces grew until the church and state made regulations about the sizes allowed.  Although to be period correct, a codpiece should be worn, it is not required.  All pants can be made without codpieces and some can even be made removable.

What kind of hat?

Peasant hats existed to serve a purpose.  They came in three basic styles.  Usually seen is the slop hat.  It served to keep the man's hair out of the way and keep his head warm in the winter.  Peasants who worked as farmers or shepherds wore wide-brimmed straw hats to keep the sun off their faces and out of their eyes.  Lastly, the coif was a very simple hat which is basically a small hood which ties under the chin.  It served the same purpose as the slop hat and is often seen in pictures of the peasant class town folk.

How much fabric will I need?

This is one of the few questions that is very hard to answer without a specific idea of the style of the dress you want.  Generally speaking, the following amounts can apply.  It is suggested that you have a preliminary meeting with one of our staff prior to purchasing fabrics.
NOTE:  All amounts are given assuming that the width of the fabric is 44/45 inches or wider.  It is always better to buy too much fabric than not enough.  Matching fabrics is difficult at best and impossible at worst.  These amounts do not apply for specialty styles.  Matching stripes and patterns may require more fabric.  Very small sizes and larger sizes may want to contact for recommendations.

Shirt (long sleeve): 2- 2½ yards
Tights (can be ordered): 2-4 yards of 2 way stretch material
Knickers (knee length): 3-4 yards
Jerkin: 2½-4 yards, exact amounts of material will depend on design, 2½-4 yards of lining
Boot Tops: 2 yards of vinyl or ultrasuede and 2 yards of backing OR 2 yards of leather

How soon can I get the finished outfit?

The typical time given for any building project is four to six weeks from the time we receive your deposit and fabric.

How much is this going to cost?

Cost, again,  is one of the few questions that is very hard to answer without a specific idea of the style of the dress you want.  The cost can range from as little as $300.00 to more than $2,500.00. A final cost of $6,000.00 is not unheard of.  The difference is often made in the number of pieces you want, trimming and any hand work necessary.  After having your first meeting you will have a better idea of what the finished garment will cost.  It is helpful for you to come into the meeting with some idea of what you would like to spend.

Do I need to come in for a fitting?

Fittings are essential.  The only way to ensure the overall comfort and attractiveness of the garment is through fittings.  There are usually 1-5 fittings for your peasant outfit over the course of construction.

What else do I need to do to get my costume made?

You'll need to schedule to have a  preliminary meeting with us to talk about your outfit. This is where the decisions will start being made: what it will look like, what features it will have, basic color scheme, trimming ideas, fabrics needed.  The meeting is a first step.  After the preliminaries are discussed, you are free to do further research, look at additional pictures or movies. This is also the time to begin looking for fabrics and trims.  After fabrics are selected, a second meeting is scheduled.  In this meeting the definite plans for construction are determined.  By the second meeting you must know what you want.  This is the time that a final sketch may be done and measurements are taken.  The estimated building time is started from the time we receive fabrics.  After construction has begun, you will be called in for fittings.  The number of fittings can range between 1-5.

What should I do now?

The best place to start is with a little research.  With a base of knowledge to utilize, you will find the building process less intimidating.  After some initial research, schedule a meeting and begin.  Don't feel overwhelmed by this list of questions.  It seems like a lot of work only because it can be.  The best way to save time is to research.  Have some idea of what you're looking for before you go fabric shopping it will save time in the long run.

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