9 Classic Renaissance Faire Costume Ideas for 2025

The best Renaissance faire costumes ideas allow you to leave the confines of reality behind and create your own world of whimsy and wonder. If it’s your first time attending a Renaissance fair, you may be wondering, what did people wear in the Renaissance? 

While according to the University of Michigan, Renaissance Era clothing was quite traditional, you can be anything your mind conceives of at a Renaissance faire. From forest fairies to wizards, Ren Faire costumes help you get into the spirit of the festival and evoke feelings of magic and mysticism.

Best of all, Renaissance faire costume ideas do not have to be overly elaborate nor do you need to spend a fortune on them. Whether you’re looking to shop online for last-minute Renaissance faire outfits or flex your creative muscles to make DIY Renaissance faire costume ideas, these looks are sure to leave you feeling inspired. 

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• Best Renaissance Faire Outfits for Females
• Best Renaissance Faire Outfits for Males
• Renaissance Faire Hairstyles
• Renaissance Faire Costume Ideas FAQs

Best Renaissance Faire Outfits for Females

1. Forest Fairy

A classic Renaissance Faire costume idea, the forest fairy look is fun and playful. For the outfit’s base, start with something flowy like a maxi dress. Green and brown are both great color choices, but any earthy tones will do. 

Pair the dress with a corset, and complete the ensemble with accessories like wings, a floral headband and glittery makeup. The finishing touches are what really bring Renaissance faire costumes ideas like this to life, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

2. Peasant Girl

With a timeless charm, the peasant girl outfit is one of the best Renaissance Faire costume ideas if you’re going for a simple, understated look. A solid-colored blouse, a corset or bodice and a full skirt are all you need for this outfit. 

Since the goal is to appear rather plain, go with neutral or earthy tones. Accentuate the look with a leather belt or a woven basket filled with fake fruits or flowers. 

3. Noblewoman

Perhaps the most stunning of all Renaissance Faire costume ideas, the noblewoman commands attention from everyone she passes on the festival grounds. The base for this outfit is usually a beautiful, training dress with a full, structured bodice. 

Luscious fabrics like velvet give the outfit texture and dimension, and dramatic color choices such as crimson make a lasting statement.

Best Renaissance Faire Outfits for Males

4. Knight

The most iconic men’s Renaissance faire costume idea is none other than the noble knight in shining armor. What’s great about this costume is that it can easily be dressed up or down according to your budget (the shining armor part isn’t necessary!) The basics of the look are a tunic, a fitted vest known as a doublet, loose-fitting pants or breeches, a wide leather belt and a helmet or headpiece. 

That’s essentially all it takes to embody the essence of a fierce nobleman, but you can go big with a cape, a shield, a staff or even a gambeson, which is a padded garment that goes under the doublet to make it look like you have armor on. This is also a fun outfit if you need theme party ideas!

5. Wizard

A wizard is one of the best Renaissance faire outfit ideas for males because the look exudes equal parts power and mystery. To create this Renaissance faire costumes idea, start with a long, flowing robe in an earthy or neutral color like brown, green, black or silver. 

It should have sleeves that flair out at the end and can be embellished with lace or embroidery. Add a pointed, wide-brim hat and a leather belt with a decorative buckle and accessorize the Renaissance faire costumes idea with a wooden staff, a leather potion pouch and jewelry such as pendants and rings.

6. Jester

If a forest fairy is the most playful of all the Renaissance Faire outfits for females, a jester is the male equivalent. The backbone of a jester costume is a motley, or a patchwork coat with bright, contrasting colors. 

Tight-fitting pants known as breeches are usually in a solid color that goes well with the motley. Pointed shoes, a cap ‘n’ bells hat and puffy sleeves complete the look and add dramatic flair to this fun Renaissance faire costume idea. 

Renaissance Faire Hairstyles

7. Braids

Coming up with Renaissance faire costumes ideas may have you wondering, what hairstyles were popular in the Renaissance? Many women wore braids during the Renaissance period, and there are so many different styles to choose from.

Flowy waterfall braids, fun snake braids or an elegant mermaid braid are all great choices. Braids can seem intimidating, but a lot of these hairstyles aren’t as hard to create as they look.

That being said, if your attempts to give yourself braids often leave much to be desired, don’t fret because many Renaissance fairs have braiding stations. 

8. Mermaid Hair

Long, wavy hair was the most popular hairstyle among young women during the Renaissance, and it makes the perfect complement to Renaissance faire costume ideas like forest fairies and nymphs. This loose and flowing hairstyle is both playful and classy, and you can make it even more elegant by adding a jeweled comb. 

9. Updos

Updos are classic and timeless, and much like braids, there are countless ways to style them. A braided bun or box braid updo pair well with fancier Renaissance faire costumes like a noblewoman, as these hairstyles were more common among women of status (but they look great on anyone!) 

The bling is equally as (if not more) important than the hairdo itself, so accessorize it with jeweled barrettes, hairpins or even a full-blown crown and prepare to make heads turn.

Renaissance Faire Costume Ideas FAQs

How Much Does a Ren Faire Costume Cost?

Renaissance faire costumes ideas can definitely be pricey, but don’t think you have to fork over an arm and a leg for a nice outfit. If you aren’t the craftiest person in the world and you’re looking to buy a full costume — or you run out of time and need last-minute Renaissance faire outfits — you’re probably looking at several hundred dollars at least. 

DIY Renaissance faire costume ideas definitely pay off because you can get affordable base garments like tunics, breeches and maxi dresses and add your own patches, lace, embroidery and other final touches.

Accessories for Renaissance faire costumes, such as shields, helmets and jewelry, can be found at party stores and online costume shops without breaking the bank.

What Shoes Do You Wear to the Renaissance Fair?

When it comes to picking shoes for your Renaissance faire costume idea, comfort is just as important as style. Leather boots are versatile, pairing well with most costumes for men and women. 

They’re also a sensible choice as you can walk around all day without your feet hurting. Certain Renaissance Faire outfits for females, however, such as fairies, look best with a simple pair of flats. 

What Are Renaissance Dresses Called?

Renaissance dresses are simply called gowns or sometimes kirtles. The dresses consist of three parts: a skirt, a bosom such as a corset and a chemise, which is a blouse that goes under the bosom and has long, flowing sleeves. 

A dress is one of the best Renaissance faire costumes ideas because it’s so easy to customize. You can mix and match the three components to create Renaissance faire costumes ideas that reflect both your personality and the look you’re trying to achieve.

Magic isn’t just something you see in the movies — it’s a feeling that can be brought to life with just a bit of effort and Renaissance faire costumes ideas are a surefire way to achieve that. Ren Faire costumes let you express yourself and experiment with new fashion styles you probably don’t get to play around with in your everyday life.

If only for a day, you can transform yourself into a brave knight, a playful fairy or a mystical wizard. There are great Renaissance faire costumes ideas here for everyone, whether you need women’s costumes or Renaissance faire outfit ideas for males. 

For even more fun costume ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!