Plus Size Renaissance Costumes

Features of Plus Size Renaissance Costumes

At a glance, plus size costumes do not appear to be any different than regular costumes, but in fact Renaissance designs have many qualities that make them more forgiving for individuals who want to feel comfortable in a great costume without accentuating their bodies, including:

• Longer sleeves, tunics, and skirts for more complete coverage of thighs, upper arms, hips, and other problem areas.
• Stretchy fabrics in velvet, brocade, or other rich materials that can adjust for an individual’s size without sacrificing comfort.
• Flowing fabrics such as billowing skirts, capes, bell sleeves, puff shoulders, and loose tunics that do not cling to curves.
• Elastic waistbands, cuffs, and other closures for comfort.
• Darker colors such as dark gray, black, brown, purple, navy blue, emerald green, and burgundy that are both period-appropriate and less ostentatious than many costumes.
• Tied cleavage, corsets, and tunic closings for extra support.
• Elaborate details on skirt panels, necklines, headdresses, and accessories that will draw attention away from an individual’s size as well as spice up the costume with flair and elegance, while leaving the body’s midsection subdued.

Because many of these features are characteristic of Renaissance attire, plus size Renaissance costumes a natural choice for generous sizes without making obvious changes to the costume’s design or appearance. Renaissance costumes are also suitable as maternity costumes and can easily be adapted to be worn after pregnancy, and the highly adjustable nature of these costumes makes them ideal for anyone whose size may fluctuate.

Types of Renaissance Attire

Because Renaissance costumes are naturally forgiving to larger sizes, there are many creative options for unique and fun costumes, including:

• Wenches, barmaids, or peasant girls in neutral colors and unadorned fabrics
• Kings, queens, and other royalty in rich, heavy clothing and glittering jewels
• Robin Hood, Macbeth, or other figures popular in literature and legend
• Knights, either honorable knaves or evil masterminds
• Gypsy wanderers and other traveling folk
• Minstrels, artists, poets, and musicians who embody the creative Renaissance spirit
• Solemn monks praying for the spirits of their society
• Jesters seeking to bring laughs and merriment to all
• Executioners and other officials who enforce the strict societal codes

Essential Accessories

The key to a convincing Renaissance or medieval costume is in the details. Furthermore, a highly detailed costume will attract more attention by virtue of its extraordinary design than by its size. The types of details and accessories each costume should use vary based on the role the wearer intends to play, but popular options include:

Details draw attention away from size.

• Elizabethan stand-up collars or other wide-collared tunics and jackets
• Authentic wigs in elaborate coifs
• Heavy costume jewelry, particularly rings, bracelets, and necklaces, especially for royalty
• Hats and headdresses to suit each role, such as crowns for royalty, floral or fabric wreaths for lesser royalty and nobility, oversized berets with or without feathers for artists, quirky shapes for jesters, and wimples for ladies-in-waiting
• Broad swords, battle axes, flails, or other period weaponry for knights or executioners
• Gilt goblets, turkey drumsticks, and wine for indulgent royalty
• Beer steins or trays for bar maids
• Fans and exaggerated makeup for wenches
• Farm equipment such as a pitchfork or bucket for peasants
• Bibles, crosses, and prayer beads for monks
• Paintbrushes, literature books, or other equipment for artists
• Authentic speech patterns and phrases anyone wearing a Renaissance costume can use to complete their disguise

With the proper details, any Renaissance costume can be authentic and stunning, regardless of size.

Where to Buy

Buying any plus size Halloween costume can be a challenge. Individuals who are experienced with homemade Halloween costumes may feel comfortable picking up a Renaissance costume pattern to make their own, while other interested individuals may need to visit costume retailers. There are many online retailers who offer plus size attire, and the following merchants have a wide selection of Renaissance costumes available:

• Annie’s Costumes
• Anytime Costumes
• Nightmare Factory
• Sunara
• Fantasy Costume

Prices range from $50 to $500 or more based on the type of costume and the amount of detail. Generally speaking, very large sizes (XXXL and higher) are more expensive, while highly detailed royal costumes also cost more. Accessories are generally not included but can be purchased at any costume shop and do not need to be found through an exclusive plus size dealer.

Renaissance costumes are elaborate and fun costumes for anyone uncomfortable with their size, and while they may conceal an awkward body shape, these costumes will not conceal the enjoyment of a great costume.