Kilts, Pelts, and Crowns oh my! MN Renaissance Festival Fashion
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival began in September of 1971 and now claims the title of one of the oldest and largest Renaissance festivals in the United States. The festival boasts an annual attendance of 300,000 over the seven consecutive weeks from mid-August to late-September. People from across the country come to attend the festival in Shakopee Minnesota, getting into the spirit of living in a 16th-century “England-like” fantasy kingdom.
Attendees of all ages dress up for the festival, some referencing certain characters like Shrek, and The Dread Pirate Roberts, or dressing as mythical creatures like fairies, dragons, and mermaids. Some festival attendees create characters and plots, while others are simply happy to sit and people-watch, but whether you’re a regular or it’s your first ever fest the motivation to dress up is high. “There’s no other time in my life where that theme has applied so why not try it out at the Renaissance fair? I also felt less pressure because I knew I couldn’t possibly be overdressed, and knowing some people just go regular, made me feel like I couldn’t be underdressed either. Also how fun to do a little dress up, a little whimsy!” Said first-time festival go-er Alexis Irish.
This year’s festival celebrated 53 years and featured over 250 artisans. Of these artisans 29 specifically sell apparel. The apparel is diverse from shop to shop, though all fit the theme of fantasy or 16th-century garments. The shops range from kilts to pelts, to crowns allowing the wearer to feel like a barbarian, a princess, or someone in between. Festival attendee Hannah Mitchell said, “I’m a huge fantasy fan, and I feel like dressing up allows me to lean into those characters and stories that I’ve spent so much time imagining, and embrace the atmosphere and the little day trip from reality that is the Renaissance fair!” Fellow attendee Mar Horns shared similar sentiments. “I love participating in the group imagination! It’s fun being in a space where people are being creative with their costumes, and it’s really unique to be in a space where so many people are dressing up with the same prompt.”
No matter who you are the MN Renaissance Festival is a space for you to dress up, and be whoever, or whatever, you want to be. “I love dressing up for the ren fest because I love being part of a crowd of joyful weirdos. Diverse fashion is a love letter to each person’s aesthetic, body, gender, and feeling. I feel like I can simultaneously flaunt my uniqueness and blend into a crowd. It’s comforting and exciting to all be different together.” Said festival regular Liz Allen, “Plus I look great in a corset.”
