Medieval Costume Ideas For Men and Women

If you are going to a medieval faire and are not sure what to wear, you have come to the right place. Medieval clothing can be a lot of fun to experiment with.

Let's start with the women. Their clothing was for more than just covering the ladies body. It told their social status and marital status. You could tell by the quality of the material if they were upper class or peasant. The women that were married usually had their hair up, while the unmarried wore it loose. Medieval clothing for the women include pieces such as a kirtle, dress, bodice, corset, and headdress. Combining these medieval clothing pieces in different ways allows you to create costumes for a medieval princess, lady, or wench. All of this clothing for the women was very sexy for its time period, too.

Medieval clothing for the men worked basically the same way as far as the social status. The better the material, the higher class the man. Also, the fit of the sleeve was a sign of your status. The typical inventory of clothing for men usually consisted of vests, tunics, doublets, cloaks, stockings, and breeches. To match, you can go to the faire as a Knight, a gentleman or perhaps a sorcerer.

Medieval Costumes - From Jester to Ladies and Beyond

Ah, the Renaissance. Romeo and Juliet, lords and ladies and of course, the Lord High Executioner. If you are sick of the same packaged and typical costumes, it is time to go to a whole new level with medieval costumes, perfect for everybody from every shape and every size. And, don't forget that medieval costumes offer something perfect for everyone whether they are male or female!

Ladies First

Of course, whenever you start thinking about medieval costumes, the first that come to mind are those for the ladies: Courtesans, Baronesses and even the Queen. Ornate, opulent and definitely not your everyday Halloween costume, you can find the right choice for you if you don't get overwhelmed along the way. There are so many colors and choices that you might never be able to narrow it down. Think of it this way: if you want to really vamp it up and show off a little more sexy skin, go for the Courtesan or the bar wench costumes. If you want to really glam it up and be more elegant, stick to the others. The great thing about these costumes: they are very flattering to any body shape as long as they fit well and they are so gorgeous.

Headdress in Medieval and Renaissance Fashion The Burgeoning of the Headdress in Medieval and Renaissance Fashion Throughout the history of clothing

Headdress in Medieval and Renaissance Fashion

The Burgeoning of the Headdress in Medieval and Renaissance Fashion

Throughout the history of clothing, the headdress has been part and parcel of proper attire. It was an essential accessory on one's person ever since people began to develop a sense of clothing in medieval times going toward a more decorative trend in the duration of the Renaissance and even the next century after.

Perhaps wearing some sort of head covering emerged when mankind began declaring war on one another, primarily as a form of protection for the head. Eventually, when Christianity was introduced and spread throughout early medieval civilization, people, notably women, began to include some kind of head covering in their medieval clothing concerns.

Renaissance Clothing and the Evolution of Underwear

While times and clothes have changed so often and so radically, most of the concepts that birthed various articles of clothing have more or less remained the same. The concept behind underwear was to uphold a degree of modesty. Like now, back then there was no universal underwear rule and people wore what was comfortable, available-or nothing at all.

Ancient Bare Necessities

Not much documentation or clothing survives (woolen and linen garments rot after a few hundred years and no one ever thought writing about underwear was important). Getting a definite idea of what people wore beneath their clothes before medieval times can only come from what surviving mosaics or works of art there are, which aren't yet very realistic.

But in ancient times, Imperial Rome set the trend in everything, including what one wore beneath one's outer wear. Men and women alike were known to wear loin-cloths, probably made of linen. Women might have worn a lengthy band wrapped around their chests called a strophium or mamillare.

Maid Fancy Dress - 5 Alternatives to the Classic French Maids Outfit

The classic French maids outfit is an extremely popular costume worn at Halloween and other themed parties. In fact it is probably up there with nurse outfits and schoolgirl costumes as the most popular type of adult female costume.

Perhaps because of its enormous popularity in the past, many of you might be looking for slightly more original outfits to wear to the upcoming party. However, there are actually a number of great looking and original maid fancy dress costumes available at specialist online websites, if you are looking to be a little bit different.

Below are five alternative costumes to the classic French maids outfit, which are bound to get you noticed at any party you have been invited to:

Victorian parlour-maid costume

While slightly more reserved looking than the French maids outfit, the Victorian parlour-maid costume can nevertheless be an authentic looking period piece that is actually quite striking. These parlour-maid costumes can also make great looking ladies pilgrim outfits, perfect for any Thanksgiving celebrations.

Milkmaid outfit

The Milk maid fancy dress costume is another period piece, but one that is a little bit more risqué than the Victorian parlour-maid one. It is also a great outfit to wear for ladies with a fuller figure.

Oktoberfest barmaid

This is one of my personal favourite types of costume, which is starting to become more and more popular. Based on the Central European style of dress, the Oktoberfest barmaid outfit is an extremely sexy costume, which shall certainly get a few second glances at the party. As with the Milkmaid costume, these Bavarian barmaid outfits are just perfect for the beautiful buxom ladies amongst you.

Medieval maiden

Although perhaps a slightly different meaning of the word, the Maid Marion type of costume is another wonderful period piece, which is altogether striking and extremely feminine. The Medieval maiden outfit is a little more formal than the other costumes mentioned here and makes a great costume for middle-aged ladies or those of you that are a little bit too shy to wear some of the other types of maid outfit.

Naughty French maids outfit

The last category are those French maids outfits that are extremely revealing and are only really suitable for the very confident amongst you that do not mind leaving a little less to the imagination at the party. Of course, these sexy outfits can be worn by ladies of all shapes and sizes on naughty Hen nights or in the confines of the bedroom.

So where can you find all of these types of maid fancy dress outfits? Remember that it is very important to ensure your fancy dress supplier has the costume you are looking for in stock, so that they are delivered in time for the party! At French Maid Fancy Dress, if it says your order is in stock then you can rest assured that it is. Go there now and choose from the range of authentic looking maid fancy dress outfits and accessories. A Word Or Two About The Author: Dan Fresh is a lifelong fancy dress aficionado who regularly writes for the popular Fancy Dress UK website.

Authentic Tudor Costume and Accessories

It started for me when I chanced upon a photograph of a lady dressed in a rather beautiful and elaborate medieval costume. I was struck by the richness of the colors, the intricacy of the embroidery, and the sparkling and delicate jewelry.

What I was looking at was an example of an authentic Tudor costume, and I wanted one!

So, I began my research, imagining that it would be difficult to find such a historically accurate piece of clothing that I could afford. However, the more I researched, the more I uncovered, and slowly began to immerse myself into the world of re-enactment societies and specialist suppliers.

The variety, scope and attention to detail of the clothing and accessories available to those who love to spend their free time partying in or re-enacting the renaissance period was simply amazing to me.

Not only did I discover patters from which I could design and make my own authentic Tudor clothing, but I found that it is relatively inexpensive to simply buy one new - and there is no shortage of choice.

In addition to the costume, I found I could buy or hire historically accurate jewelery, weapons, badges, games, goblets and much, much more.

This, of course, is just the tip of the iceberg. As with any hobby or interest, the more you delve, the more you discover and you become even more enthused and passionate about your subject.

A quick search online will reveal a growing number of hobby sites and societies dedicated to this fascinating pastime.

Follow my journey of discovery into the world of Tudor and renaissance clothing and accessories at http://medieval.hayleycox.com/

Plus Size Costumes

The plus size costume market has expanded substantially, with both online and offline stores increasing their numbers and variety. However, plus size wearers must select their outfits very carefully.

It is not just the quality of the material that one needs to scrutinize but also the kind of look one wants to don. The attire must be such that it suits the theme of the party, while complementing your personality.

Guidelines to Follow while Selecting a Plus Size Costume

Here are a few factors one must ensure while selecting a plus size costume:

* Comfort level - This is important because your comfort level in the attire will affect your attitude and how you carry yourself. Size is the determining factor in this case. If you plan to purchase a costume from an offline store, you must try the dress before buying.

In case you are buying from an online boutique, submit your current measurement details. Too tight a costume or a low cut one might cause great discomfort and also attract unwanted attention from onlookers. You can save yourself from embarrassment by making sure you buy a costume that fits you perfectly and accentuates the right contours.

Also, take the weather into consideration. If the costume is meant for Halloween, ensure that it provides you with enough warmth.

* Flattering wear - The costume that you select must flatter your shape. For example, emulating Marilyn Monroe who is famed for her hour glass figure or the fictitious Scarlett O'Hara who is known for her 19 inch waistline is not a good idea.

Stepping out of one's real character and role-playing an icon is fine as long as the costume you wear suits you. The right costume can make you look sexy. There are special plus size costumes that are designed for voluptuous women. Costumes such as that of a medieval serving wench or one of the queens of Alice in Wonderland would suit perfectly.

* Accessorize properly - Accessories are important features of a costume because they create the aura of the character you are imitating. They can make or break a look to a great extent. If you are dressed up as a Greek goddess, make sure that you wear a tiara and a pair of sandals to match the look. If you want to emulate the medieval figure of Death, make sure you are not wearing sneakers with traditional formal clothes.

For comfortable, flattering costumes of every size and material, visit http://www.sexywearavenue.com. SexyWearAvenue.com has an inventory of more than 450 styles of sexy plus size costumes to choose from.

The Top Plus Size Costumes For Halloween

If you're one of the women or men above the norm weight that most clothes and costumes made for, it can be a bit tricky to find the a really hot dress for Halloween. It's always a good idea to start your search in good time before the Holiday rush starts and costumes starts to go out of stock. A good suggestion is to scan through the various online shops as it makes the process so much easier.

Being overweight doesn't mean you can't be sexy and attractive at the Halloween party. If you search, you will find that there's some very hot dresses to choose from and impress your friends with. Gone is the need to only choose costumes where the body is wrapped in whole like curtains and naming yourself a witch or magician. Let's go beyond those outdated plus size costume ideas. Let me be your guide to costumes that will fit you and your body regardless of your weight.

Recent years more and more costume choices have become available in plus sizes, especially for over sided women. Some nice examples are the French maid helper, the sexy Wonder Woman or even Fiona from Shrek (which looks a lot better than it sounds). Of course you could still choice a classic costume like the wicked witch, vampire Gothic, Medusa, fortune teller or a lady ghost.

For large men there's also some great character choices to portray for this Halloween. There's the traditional costumes like the Gothic vampires, the ghost elite gentleman, the mad hatter, Frankenstein, medieval monk, a Scotsman and some nice pirate variations. Flintstones and Popeye are also two perfect choices for a man with a bit of extra weight.

Lastly some men like to bring Christmas early as a Santa Claus or even please their children with a Buzz Lightyear dress.

For Children with some extra pounds there's no shortage of costumes. To name a few examples, they could dress up as well known characters like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, Little Red Riding Hood, Captain America, Alice of Alice in the Wonderland and Minnie Mouse. Other great alternatives might be the agent Kim Possible, Tracy Turnblad, Mad Hatter and of course the legendary pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow.

In order not to confuse your decision on what to pick, I've just listed a few examples of costumes for people in need of plus sizes to portray. However, if you feel like you need more I suggest you scan through any of the many online stores available.

Hopefully you'll find the perfect Halloween costume you dreamed of and enjoy the party as much, or if not more than everyone else.

All that matters is that you have confidence in yourself and your costume. Now enjoy Halloween and make sure you carry yourself proudly in a wonderful plus size Halloween costume.

In need of big size Halloween costume information? Drop by our site Adult Plus Size Costumes and get read about costumes like the Plus Size Pirate Costume.

Too Shy to Shop For That Sexy Costume? Shop Online!

You've seen people wearing those sexy costumes at parties - Naughty french maids, spicy school girls and erotic nurses, dancing and having fun while being the center of attention. You love having fun too, you know you got the looks, but you always seem to be stuck in some corner, ignored in your ghost outfit. Well, it's time for a costume makeover!

However, in the light of day, things are different. You're embarrassed and feel a little silly dressing in some sexy outfit while at a big department store. The lighting is harsh, grumbling people are waiting for you to hurry up, and they give you disparaging looks when they see you holding your fantasy Fiona maid outfit. With your confidence shattered, is it time to slink away and forget about wearing anything showing off even a bit of ankle? Nonsense. The Internet is here for you!

Costumes are easy to shop for online. In the privacy of your own home, you can browse among thousands of different outfits, for every season and every occasion. Thinking of a playmate bunny outfit to surprise your significant other on Easter? There's dozens of variations available for purchase. Sexy Mrs. Claus? Ditto.

Lithe fairies, regal queens, medieval damsels, hot pirates and Egyptian belly dancing costumes are all easy to find. Accessories, matching footwear, and theme jewelry can also be found, often as suggestions for a certain costume. With the privacy of your home and the stringent security standards of all reputable online retailers, you're only problem is in trying to narrow down what you can see yourself in.

Are you going as a group to your next costume party? Dress in a theme! That way, if you're still self conscious, you'll have a crowd of friends dressed similar to you. In a group, you'll have a lot more fun and confidence, because everybody else is dressed in a similar fashion and will be backing you up.

If you're going as a couple, go as some sexy historical or fairy tale couple, like Antony and Cleopatra or the big bad wolf chasing a red hot riding hood. The choice of fantasies and themes are endless!

Most people dress in sexy outfits for costume parties because there's few other opportunities to show off and feel sexy, all the while dancing and hollering in celebration. Dressing in a costume allows you to act out your wild fantasies and be someone you usually aren't. So at your next party, slip into that gorgeous outfit, show off those sexy curves, unleash the naughty flirt that lives inside you, and dance the night away!

Chris is the author and owner of Sexy Costume Ideas.com, a website that provides free resources, articles and great costume ideas to help express yourself at your next Halloween party, or any other event.

Romeo and Juliet Halloween Costumes For Couples

Romeo and Juliet are two fictional characters out of the medieval time period and is also a great costume for any couple who want to brighten the room that they step into. Yes, no love story can match the one of Romeo and Juliet. Many young couples or even those older couples that still have that flaming fiery love for each other choose the Romeo and Juliet costumes.

The aspect of Halloween costumes may make a lot of people scratch their head with madness, because normally, they are varied, but with Romeo and Juliet costumes for example, you have more than an option.

In terms of it suiting the Halloween mood and ambiance, Romeo and Juliet costume could be considered as one of the best, and indeed, one of the most flexible. All you have to do is remember that the original play took place in the 14th century in the town of Verona, Italy.

As Romeo and Juliet dresses are raking up a lot of popularity, they seem to be one of the best Halloween Costume Ideas for couples around.

What made these costumes different was the knickers and hats worn by men and the long skirts and bustles with aprons worn by women. These clothes were different in a sense that they had different and multiple layers in their clothing.

With women wearing long stockings and pointed toes and men wearing ruffled sleeves and long socks, it is certainly a bit different. Creating a super costume for Halloween is not going be tough at all, and for that, all you need to do is some homework.

Deciding on Halloween Costume Ideas for couples could be a tedious task indeed. Choosing a costume for Halloween is difficult because of the varied choices of a man and a woman. Just so you know - You will definitely have a lot of choices for you to choose from, but all that you need to do from your end, is some homework.

You can choose characters from TV shows, everyday life characters such a bride and groom, characters out of popular movies such as Titanic, cartoon characters such as Lady and the Tramp, food items such as Salt and Pepper or Ketchup and Mustard or even something as simple as temperatures such as cold and hot!

Get your mind thinking a bit, and surely your dress and you would be the talk of the town. By using accessories, you will be able to design an outfit, staying in your budget. The choice is yours - You can be as simple as you want, or go for some frills.

Dress as the star-crossed lovers with Romeo and Juliet costumes for the Halloween. Visit http://halloweencostumesblowout.com/

Children's Medieval Costumes - Fun at the Renaissance Fair

Admit it or not, parents love to dress up their children whether it is an everyday staple or a big renaissance fair. Although most of children's medieval costumes should best stay on the runway, it is amazing to note that a great number of children could easily glide down to reality and wear renaissance costumes with flair and ease.

Contrary to what is believed that in order to crop up a good medieval costume painstaking handiwork is needed, what most people fail to realize is that they can make children's' medieval costumes and fancy dresses through the use of little creativity and resourcefulness. But, if you choose to purchase a tailored and custom-made one, local boutiques and online stores are the best pit stop.

Here are few children's medieval costumes for your little boys and girls:

Boys Medieval Costume
A renaissance king costume, a crusader, a knight, and a musketeer tunic are some of the great selections for your little boy. If your boy is going to play renaissance faire king for a day, then a bright maroon or red cape with black velvet doublet and pants will certainly lent character to a renaissance king role.

Other accessories that include a crown and a renaissance sword replica of either Egyptian bast or a Napoleon ceremonial sword will absolutely complete your renaissance king gear.

Girls Medieval Costume
For little girls, a renaissance queen or princess will certainly be a crowd's favorite.

You may have a difficult time narrowing your choices, but what is perfect for little girls is one that will show off either a regal as a queen character or a sweet as a princess attitude. The choices of color can be gold with bright yellow panels, which will shine through the rich and vibrant texture of the fancy dress.

About the author: David L writes for ShopCompareCostumes.com and shares his interest in dressing up with internet readers. He's been writing for costume and Halloween blogs since August 2007 and has been a blog author since September 2005.

He shares his ideas and recommendations about Children's Medieval Costumes and other holidays at Shop Compare Costumes. Sign up to receive our free costume newsletter for exclusive discounts, coupon codes, and how-to articles on halloween costumes!

Renaissance Costumes - Choose the Best Attire

The creative mind's re-invention of Renaissance Costumes is considered a delight to the senses and a gorgeous feast for the eyes. This is the reason why a lot of festivity hosts opt for a renaissance inspired gathering more than any other concept.

Creating a renaissance period atmosphere is a bit challenging especially if you don't have any idea how to provide a real Renaissance look. So, for those who want to know how to choose the best garb for a Renaissance feast, here are few tips to combine high fashion, elegance, and stunning design in one:

1. Search through various Renaissance Costumes found in books

This pertains to different periods and cultures that have a Renaissance touch. Many different books have pictures of various costumes that can be a great concept for your choice. The global zeitgeist reads something like this: take what's indigenous in a specific renaissance period/culture and put in individual and innovative elements to come up with your own vibrant, creative costume idea.

2. The service of a local couturier

You can only have the best garb if you likewise have the best designer to inject fun and flair and design innovation to traditional renaissance costumes. Having your own designer will allow you to choose preferred patterns and styles where you can also ask for a designer's fashion sense in terms of mix of colors, creative embellishments, and fancy details.

3. Consider online resources

With the latest technology thriving each day, it is indeed possible to come across renaissance costume patterns, elegant headwear, and period accessories with just a simple search. So, if you're having a difficult time choosing which renaissance costume will fit you best, the internet will never fail to give you accurate, artistic, and whimsical costume idea.

David L writes for ShopCompareCostumes.com and shares his interest in dressing up with internet readers. He's been writing for costume and Halloween blogs since August 2007 and has been a blog author since September 2005. He loves playing characters and his creative side is most active when he's sharing his ideas with others.

He shares his ideas and recommendations about Renaissance Costumes and other holidays at Shop Compare Costumes. Sign up to receive our free costume newsletter for exclusive discounts, coupon codes, and how-to articles!

Handmade Medieval Toys At Bristol Renaissance Faire 2009

Chicago families visiting the Bristol Renaissance Faire can shop for handmade medieval toys that encourage imaginative play about magic and times past.

Bristol Renaissance Faire imaginative play

Designed to help visitors imagine that they have time traveled back to Elizabethan England, the Bristol Renaissance Faire lives up to its slogan (Where Fantasy Rules) with themed buildings and rides, costumed actors, and creative entertainment and interactive activities.

During their visit to the Renaissance, parents and children can tour the merchants in the Bristol Faire Marketplace to shop for lovely handmade artistic items and crafts that can be used as toys for imaginative play.

Children's medieval role-play toys

Visitors to this Elizabethan-era festival are invited to arrive already dressed for the part or to rent costumes once there. Parents can also purchase kid-sized costumes and accessories to dress their children up as fantasy, medieval, and renaissance characters.

Read complete article in Examiner.com

Choose Your Medieval Clothing Style To Attend A Medieval Wedding

Do you have an invitation to attend a medieval wedding? Don't know what should you wear? Before you spend time searching for costumes and purchase anything, you should first find out if the wedding style. Is the wedding style going to be a peasant style medieval wedding or lords and kings style medieval wedding? Showing up in different style and costumes would certainly be awkward.

The bride and groom may have a simple wedding ceremony outside in nature like a peasant and move on to a medieval feast like in a castle. In this case, you could choose and wear a costume that meets somewhat between the two classes, like well-to-do merchants, lesser nobles, royal knights, a lady-in-waiting, or else.

The couple may have an elaborate church wedding and then have their reception at some outdoor venue. Dressing down would be more appropriate. You can choose more fitting to the lower classes such as a serving wench, a lesser knight, or a villager.

Medieval Clothing styles changed with each generation. But, there are still some common elements through most of the styles.

The materials used for medieval clothing was heavier than it is today. If you plan on sewing your own costumes, keep in mind that pastel colors were outdated. The colors should be vibrant, rich and deep. Choose materials that contain deep blues, forest green, burgundies or chocolate browns.

Choose a suitable materials for the main outer garment such as velvet, brocade or damask. Take care in choosing the material pattern. Medieval clothing did not contain stripes, polka dots or small patterns. You can add leather laces, ribbons and other such ties to secure clothing. If you elect to wear peasant garb, choose attire made from linen, cotton or other materials so you will remain comfortable.

If you don't have much time to search around, maybe rent a medieval costume isn't a bad idea. However, it depends on your costume rental shop or a professional theatre whether they have some sort of medieval clothing that you wants. Your medieval costume selection may be limited. You can try purchasing a medieval costume online to save your time.

St. Cloud Costume Shop Weathers Tough Economy

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — The aisles of Invincible Costume and Theatrical are crammed with a thousand stories, just waiting to be told.

Fuzzy, white bunny heads wait patiently in a row. A Chinese dragon peers down from a wall of wigs. Tinkerbell's dress soars silently above costumes for musketeers, cheerleaders, leprechauns and beasts.

Each garment stands ready, waiting for an opportunity to transform the mundane into the magical. Then the shop door bell rings. An ordinary person walks into the changing room and emerges as a hero or a villain, a cartoon character or a mobster.

"When they come in skeptical and they leave with a grin on their face - when they go out the door saying 'That was a lot of fun' - then I know I've succeeded," owner Michael Anderson said.

For 26 years, Invincible Costume & Theatrical has dressed the dreams of Minnesota. It designs, builds and rents theatrical costumes and accessories.

When Anderson started working at the shop, he had never made a costume.

An Air Force veteran and a graduate of the University of Iowa, he moved to St. Cloud in 1993 to be closer to his family. Although he held a degree in theater, he worked at a variety of jobs in other industries. Then in 1994 while volunteering at County Stearns Theatrical Company, he heard about a job opening at Invincible Costume and Theatrical. He decided to give it a try.

It proved a good fit.

"I love making things. I don't care what they are," Anderson said. "I've worked in leather, worked in plastics, worked as a carpenter and with concrete. I like the act of creation."

When former owner Sandra Oullette decided to sell the business in 1998, Anderson bought the company and set his sights on making the best costumes in the country.

Invincible Costume has thrived under Anderson's ownership, developing a reputation for historical accuracy and attention to detail.

"We don't rely on 50 feet and bright lights like most theatrical companies," Anderson said. "Our costumes have to look good not only onstage but close up. We can't do gold-painted macaroni."

Today Anderson has more than 7,000 costumes in every shape and size. There are furs, kilts, hoop skirts, military uniforms and wedding gowns. There are more than 1,000 hats and an entire shelf dedicated to go-go boots.

"I'm sure I own more powder blue tux coats than anyone else in the state," Anderson said.

Costumes rent for an average of $35, with the most expensive items available for $70. Anything they don't have, they make. So far, they've never been stumped.

"We make everything and we're very good at it," Anderson said.

Anderson is assisted in his work by seamstress Misty Rinkenberger, who helps build, alter and maintain costumes. During the busy Halloween season, eight seasonal employees join the Invincible team.

The shop serves customers across Minnesota and surrounding states. Some need a costume for a holiday or special occasion.

There are businesses and organizations that use characters to enliven events and promotions. And there are opera and theatrical companies looking to dress an entire cast.

Individual sales are highest at Halloween when Invincible rents out 500 to 1,200 costumes each year.

"That's all going out within a three-day period," Anderson said. "Imagine the laundry. One year we were cleaning costumes until Thanksgiving."

Holidays are also busy times, prompting orders from churches, retailers and restaurants. A leprechaun costume made its debut at the Sauk Rapids' Coborn's store on St. Patrick's Day. Now it's the Easter Bunny's turn. The shop's 20 bunny costumes are scheduled to appear at more than 60 Easter events.

Then there are the specialty orders, like the gold lame outfit and blond wig for a Mr. Montana Karaoke contest or the llama costumes for the United Way's Llama Llama Read-A-Rama.

But Invincible's main focus remains costuming theatrical productions. Anderson estimates he costumes about 70 productions each year. A recent production of "A Christmas Carol" required 120 period costumes.

"When you're truly reaching (the audience), when there's the willing suspension of disbelief, that's when we've been successful," Anderson said. "As Shakespeare said, 'The play's the thing.'"

Anderson is constantly building new pieces. Some are created to fill customer requests. Others are costumes for characters or projects that scratch a creative itch.

A replica of Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow costume from "Pirates of the Caribbean" has been in the works for years.

"People will kill to get this outfit," Anderson said. "I've had people begging me to get this costume finished. I work on it when I can."

Though it's still under construction, one look at the worn French naval coat, waistcoat and breeches quickly conjures the image of Depp's charming but dissolute character. That authentic appearance didn't come easy.

"It's a big project. I've already added and removed dye 10 times on the coat," Anderson said. "I'm trying to make it appear worn by salt water, by the bottle, by the effects of time, by having wine poured on it - by anything that would happen to a pirate."

Another pet project is a replica of an Elizabethan costume Gwyneth Paltrow wore in "Shakespeare in Love." Anderson has been working on the exquisite gown on and off for five years. It is made of fine silk and features a hand-stitched Elizabethan corset and a cartridge pleated skirt that's painstakingly decorated with pearls.

"The lace collar alone has 300 stitches in it," Anderson said. "I'd be willing to bet that I'm the only guy in the world that has made one of these during the Super Bowl."

With each new project, Anderson learns new skills. He studies contemporary and period patterns and searches for new construction techniques. And he is constantly on the lookout for new materials and tools.

"There are a lot of new, well actually old, techniques from the 1500s in this gown," Anderson said. "I love history. It's all about learning new things for me."

The last decade has been hard on the costume rental industry. The last recession started a wave of costume shop closures that continues to this day.

"Ninety percent of U.S. costume shops went out of business in the last 10 years," Anderson said. "We deal with a completely expendable resource. There is nothing that we sell that people need to live, so these are the things that go first (in budgets)."

The current recession isn't helping. According to Anderson, his 2008 Halloween sales were the lowest in 20 years.

"We made less money than we did in 1988," Anderson said. "But in '88 there was nobody else doing adult costuming."

Competitors have sprung up as well. Internet vendors and "30-day shops" that spring up like mushrooms a month before Halloween have prices Anderson can't beat, but he hopes the quality of their materials and workmanship will make customers think twice before buying them.

"A cheap costume from China is going to look really good on the Internet," Anderson said. "But when you see them up close you realize the kind of shoddy materials they're made of. They're really basically plastic."

Invincible has responded to these challenges by continuing to do what it does best: Building authentic costumes with quality materials.

"We don't do it if it's not right. Any costumes that goes out of here is a reflection on us," Anderson said. "We do inexpensive, but we don't do cheap."

Anderson also keeps a sharp eye out for new trends and new audiences. When Renaissance-themed weddings became popular, Invincible Costume was there to outfit wedding parties. When '70s and '80s parties became hip, they were ready to outfit guests. This year, they are beginning to see requests for wigs and accessories for anime events.

"Like any business, we're always looking for new markets," Anderson said. "We do guerrilla theater. We do it anyway we can get it done. Like in guerrilla warfare, we make up the rules as we go along."

So far his strategy is working. Unlike many businesses that are tied to the arts, Invisible Costume has survived for 26 years.

"We're not getting richer. We're just hanging in there," Anderson said. "I think anybody in the arts would understand that survival right now is somewhat of an incredible thing."

Taken From FortMillTimes.com

MoMA Exhibition of Drawings for Theater, Dance, and Opera Explores Visual Experimentation on the Stage

NEW YORK, NY.- Featuring approximately 150 drawings from The Museum of Modern Art's collection, Stage Pictures: Drawing for Performance investigates the work that results when artists design for theater, dance, and opera.

The exhibition highlights set and costume studies, as well as more abstract suggestions of light and mood, from the total theaters of the Ballets Russes and the Bauhaus, to Lincoln Kirstein’s formation of the New York City Ballet, to Pop performances and contemporary epic opera.

The works, many rarely on view, span a century of visual experimentation on the stage, demonstrating how artists have used drawing strategies to translate texts into dramatic mises-en-scène, articulate illumination and shadow, imagine the form and presentation of character, manipulate bodies in space, and express duration.

Such artists as Marc Chagall, Sonia Delaunay-Terk, Jim Dine, George Grosz, David Hockney, William Kentridge, Fernand Léger, Lyubov Popova, Diego Rivera, Oskar Schlemmer, and Robert Wilson are featured alongside career set and costume designers.

Several video projections of realized performances are also shown, complementing related drawings. The exhibition, on view March 11 through August 25, 2009, is organized by Jodi Hauptman, Curator, Department of Drawings, The Museum of Modern Art.

MoMA’s commitment to stage pictures dates to 1939, when Lincoln Kirstein, a colleague of MoMA’s founding director Alfred H. Barr, Jr., and the eventual founder of the New York City Ballet, gave his personal collection of performance-related books and ephemera to the Museum, establishing a Dance Archives that would, for a brief period in the mid-1940s, become a separate curatorial department.

Though the Museum’s Department of Dance and Theatre Design (later the Department of Theatre Arts) was short lived, the Museum continues to collect theater-related work today.

While the works in the exhibition vary in emphasis—from those with roots in folk traditions, machine aesthetics, or the mass media, to others that question the architecture of the stage, make abstract forms three-dimensional, or envision a total artwork on an epic scale—they all reflect a desire to create something new, to work across mediums, and to unify the arts.

Folk traditions were exploited and modified by artists associated with Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, including Natalia Goncharova (Russian, 1881-1962), who created a city square inspired by the bold outlines of Russian icon painting and the abstract patterns of peasant embroidery for the 1937 Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo revival of Le Coq d’or. A study for this elaborate backdrop is on view in the galleries.

Inspired by the world of rapid industrialization, many artists focused on the workings of the machine, including Fernand Léger (French, 1881-1955) and Oskar Schlemmer (German, 1888-1943).

Commissioned for the 1922 Ballets Suédois production of Skating Rink, Léger’s mechanical costumes, once set in motion, reflected the artist’s sense that the rhythm of industry and the modern city’s everyday bustle were the most entrancing of spectacles.

For Schlemmer’s Triadic Ballet, performed for the first time in its entirety in 1922, the artist created costumes that transformed the dancers from humans into mechanized puppets. Sketches of Schlemmer’s costumes are shown alongside a filmed reconstruction of the ballet from 1970.

Folk traditions merge with machine aesthetics in works such as Lyubov Popova's (Russian, 1889-1924) costume drawing for a 1921 Moscow production of Romeo and Juliet. For this design, Popova created a suit of armor out of hard-edged blue polygons resembling sheets of metal. The result is a costume that is both medieval and mechanical.

Diego Rivera (Mexican, 1886-1957) emphasized the tension between industry and nature in designs for the 1932 Philadelphia Civic Opera Company's production of H.P. (Horsepower). In the drawings on view, costumes animate tropical fruit and gold and silver bars, while sets juxtapose flora and machines.

Pop art's impact, as well as the emancipating effect of 1960s Happenings on traditional performance, can be found in colorful collaged designs by Jim Dine (American, b. 1935) and David Hockney (British, b. 1937). Taking his cue from a Red Devil paint sample chart, Dine employed a rainbow palette in a series of drawings for a raucous 1966 performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

More recent projects by artists such as Robert Wilson (American, b. 1941) and William Kentridge (South African, b. 1955) show efforts to create multimedia productions on an epic scale.

On view is a recent acquisition, a drawing from the series Preparing the Flute (2005), Kentridge's backdrop design for Mozart's opera The Magic Flute, which he directed and co-designed in 2005.

To prepare for the production, the artist created black-and-white drawings that employ photography's positive and negative imagery to emphasize the opera's larger themes of darkness and light.

Just outside the galleries are two reconstructions of costumes by Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973) for the 1917 Ballets Russes production of Parade. Picasso created set and costume designs to accompany a scenario by Jean Cocteau, music by Erik Satie, and choreography by Léonide Massine.

Accompanying these large-scale works—including The French Manager (1917), which measures almost 9-feet tall—is a video excerpt of the Joffrey Ballet's 1973 revival of Parade.

Taken From ArtDaily.org

How to Cut Costs with Halloween Costumes

There's no reason to overspend on Halloween costumes if you plan ahead. Here are tips for saving money at Halloween.

1. Prepare for next year - of course it's too late now, but check Halloween stores and local drugstores the day after Halloween and stock up on accessories that don't go out of style like face makeup, vampire teeth, and cobweb netting. The discounts are often as much as 90%. Garage sales also net very, very cheap Halloween costumes if you're willing to grab them when you see them.

2. Start early - It is easy to sometimes make your own, but never a good idea to start looking for good budget ideas on October 30th.

3. Look for ideas that don't tie to specific characters. It's hard to make something look like a real good knock-off of Mickey Mouse.

4. Try community sites for previously used Halloween outfits, especially in kids' sizes.

5. Involve your child - ask them what they want to be and use items your kids are already interested in. If you have football or soccer outfits, use them. This is simple and might be easier to sell to your child rather than trying to imitate what they have seen on TV.

6. Take a trip to thrift store and consider these favorites:

• Old prom dresses, along with blood for a "Carrie" costume, or for Beauty Pageant misfits
• Bridal gowns for "Bride of Frankenstein" or cut down as princess dresses
• Old tuxedos for crazy French waiters
• Retro outfits

7. Consider these cheap and easy costumes:

• Wrap a sheet and you have a mummy or a toga costume
• Safety pin odd clothing items to a single colored ensemble and go as "static cling."
• Wrap a red blanket around a child, put on a big cross or other medallion and go as a medieval crusader
• Eye patch, red turtleneck, blue jeans and a red bandana for a pirate
• Attach Smarties to your child's pants with packing tape to create a "smartie(s) pants" costume (familyfun.com idea)

8. Consult websites for ideas. Two of our favorites are:

• coolest-homemade-costumes.com - idea sharing site
• familyfun.com (even a category for last minute ideas)

There are plenty of ideas without the need for a glue gun or sewing machine. Even if you feel you aren't very creative, the websites listed above have lots of ideas of things you can put together mostly using items you have at home.

Halloween doesn't have to be expensive and can be a lot of fun, probably more so, if you use a little imagination rather than buying something off the rack at the store. Put on your creative hat and get cracking because here is an easy method for creating homemade Halloween masks for your little trick-or-treater.

Paul Banas is a founder of GreatDad.com. Discuss about planning a baby, holiday ideas, raising kids, activity with kids and other parenting related topics at his Fathers Forum.

Medieval Armor - The Replicas Of Ancient Body Armors

The epitome of medieval armor lies in its exceptional structure and significant praxis. In medieval period soldiers wore it in wars and combats, so that they can defend themselves from the sudden attacks of the enemies.

The prime usage of medieval armors was to protect the soldiers or its wearer from the strikes of the weapons. Earlier, in Greek and Roman empires these body shells were considered as the top priority for soldiers and every knight had to wear it.

These knights are most memorized for their sophisticated armors. However, apart from the excellence of armors and their battle competence, they were also considered as the style statement.

In fact, even today most of the people around the world are awestruck with medieval armors. Many people strive to collect these historical artifacts for their home collection and rummage around for the best replicas of those medieval armors which were in those days considered as the prestigious possessions.

Owning a breastplate, early medieval helmet, axes and lots of other kinds of armors can change the entire gaze and feel of your home. All these medieval armors can be used for battle reenactments also and in various movies and shows in order to regenerate the exact feel of medieval era in the mind and heart of the viewers.

All the medieval armors are usually hand made by the well versed artisans but many of them are machine made also. The material used in the construction of the armaments is also of top quality, so that they can remain for a long time to come.

If we talk about the replicas of ancient helmets, then there are varieties of these head covering like Viking helmet, Roman helmet, French helmet, Gladiator helmet, Knight helmet, Saxon helmet etc.

If you need ancient axes then medieval axe and medieval farsa are available for your requirement. Likewise, various other kinds of medieval armors in the form of chain mail, leather, breastplate can also be purchase from various online shops.

Find the most exclusive range of medieval armor at http://www.stalloneindia.com

Medieval Costumes! Going Back In Time For One Knight

Medieval costumes are a popular choice for many of the renaissance lovers out there that enjoy the mystery, sorcery, and glamour of that unique era!

Becoming your favorite fantasy character is exciting when wearing a medieval costume, and when you slip one on, you will take yourself back in time when the infamous Black Knight battled gothic pirates to protect their King and Queens throne, and experience all the medieval renaissance festivities on Halloween night.

Medieval clothing took on a unique fashion of it's own, and now with a variety of great costumes available with quality authentic styles, you can easily become the Wizard that casts many spells, or Maid Marian that wins the hearts of the Renaissance Noble Men!

If being a Princess is not your castle in the sky, and you rather take the wild and crazy dungeon route, then there are many costume variations of the historical Wench. The choices are endless, and you can become a beautiful Tavern Wench with a long flowing velvet dress with lace-up corset and mop hat, or the exotic Gothic Slayer with a luxurious long flowing robe that expresses the mystery and beauty in you.

No matter which medieval fashion dress you choose, Prince Charming, Regal King, and the Royal Knight will definitely be closely following your trail. For the bad boy, the Medieval times have created the elite and also the nasty, and if you're one to sway more to the dark side, then select the well known character costume the Executioner!

It comes with a strap trimmed tunic, hood with cowl, fingerless gloves, and boot tops all trimmed with studs, plus a belt and battle axe, or you can easily become the swashbuckling renaissance pirate with the frill white shirt, pants and waist sash. Add an eye patch, and sword, and you will be enjoying Halloween night chasing the beautiful Wench's to walk your plank.

For all the men and women that love to express themselves in medieval century clothing, this Halloween you will be pleased to know that many medieval items are still available, with great costume accessories to go with your choice of outfit. However, like we speak of the medieval days that have come and gone, if you wait too long to buy your favorite Halloween Renaissance costume, they soon will also be history!

About the author: William is the owner and the author of "1st In Halloween Costumes" available at http://www.1st-in-halloween-costumes.com A great source for Halloween Medieval Costumes Costumes available to you online! You can easily find and compare online costume stores offering you a variety of quality adult Medieval costumes, sexy halloween costumes, and historical kids costumes, costume makeup, accessories, and so much more. Come check my site out, and let me help you go back in time for this Halloween.

by William Parise

A Taste of Medieval History for Your Costume Party

Put a touch of the long distant past into your party with a Medieval theme. Everyone thinks of the Medieval period as one full of knights in shining armor rescuing damsels in distress. It’s not only a taste of history when you host a medieval party, but you give your guests an opportunity to see things they may not have seen, and maybe even join in the fun.

Have you ever had dreams of being rescued by a knight? Use the Medieval party as a chance to realize a dream, and let your significant other play the part of the night who rescues you from danger. Does it sound silly? Of course it does, but aren’t parties supposed to be fun? So do what you want with your party, and let your guests do accordingly.

This is the 21st century, so where are you going to finish Medieval wear? You can find it at any stores that sell costumes, and even if you aren’t having your party around Halloween, there are still many costume stores open – after all, schools and theatres have stage productions that require costumes, and not everyone does custom-made costumes. You may have to search a little bit, but you can fight a costume that is fitting for the medieval period. If you want to be really creative with your party, you may even find a replica of a horse or find a couple of friends who are willing to play the part of the horse and make your “rescue” more authentic.

Other ideas for your party include treasure hunts and scavenger hunts that are based on items from the period, available in stores that specialize in theme parties. If time permits, you may choose to conduct in depth research and serve food, drinks, and entertainment that are in tune with the Medieval period in history.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes (PartyThemeShop.com) to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

by Gail Leino