"new" wench looking for advice

[Kismet]

Well, I'm not exactly new...I found IWG a few years ago and knew I had to join. As you can tell from the signature, I'm part of local 42, living in northern Virginia.

So, here's the thing...even though I knew as soon as I found the website that I was destined to be a card-carrying wench...I don't actually know what to do for faires. I grew up in a place where faires are non-existent, and I've only been to one (long time ago, somewhere in Colorado).

MDRF is coming up, and I want to go! It's time I stopped watching from the sidelines and reading about the fun on the message boards. But I have no garb, and I'm not exactly sure what is expected of a card-carrying wench at a faire. Do I show up in street clothes and stick out like a sore thumb but everyone understands because I'm a faire virgin? Do I scramble and try to find something I don't like garb-wise because I don't have the money or the time to do things proper? If I show up in street clothes, am I going to be dragged off somewhere and dressed proper (which might be fun)?

So, hit me with the lowdown, please! What's a faire virgin supposed to be doing?

[Will Knot]

You can do what my wife did. Save up money go the faire and enjoy some shopping (after talking to the wenches and rogues here to find the best shops).

Tho if you don't get Garb I doubt Highly the local will throw you out, you might not be able to do ceartin things, like wench walks, that depend on there rules there.

If you do try to get garb before you go, I suggest Ebay. You can find something that will fit somewhat and should hold you over to you buy garb.

I prefer buying from a shop because there will be somone there who can actually fit you and you will not have a ill fitting piece. Also when you learn wich shops are better for garb you are also assured of better quality items, such as bodices that have enough bonning. Wife baught a bodice off ebay and when she tried it on it only had 2 pieces of bonning in it on either side of the lacing. That caused the bodice to wrinkle and gave her no support for the girls. Also some shops offer IWG card carrying members a discount (I am not sure if any at Maryland do but the local can tell you).

[Rhonda_Melones]

Hiya Kismet:)

I've been a member for about 3 years now but am still a faire virgin thanks to the military shifting us around to areas where faires are scarce or I end up missing the season. Thanks to my shifting weight I can't afford to keep buying garb and I'm hoping to get a sewing machine and bone up on my skills so I could make/take in any garb I do get. In the meantime when I do go to faires I tend to either rent garb from the faire ($20 for the day) or from my local costume shop ($40-60 for the weekend). I still wear sneakers or brown leather sandals for comfort but I don't think anyone will begrudge me that;) I don't expect to take part in everything because of my foot gear but as long as I get to meet the others I'm cool with that:)

So that's my suggestion, if you want to wear garb but can't afford it, try renting especially if you're just doing the odd weekend. If you intend to go constantly, you're probably better off going in street gear (since renting a lot can cost too) maybe wearing a corset top or something to get you in the mood until you save up enough money to get some garb:)

[Vixynne Rose]

Hi Kismet!

I'm in a similar boat...though I have puh-lenty of garb on order, I'm waiting to see if I can mesh its completion with at least one "big" faire by summer's end (maybe NYRF, we'll see). Otherwise I have one sorta-cobbled-together garb outfit that I'm not thrilled with, but it'll serve.

Garb rental is a really good idea if you're not ready or able to invest in your own garb yet, and it's usually under $30 a day, which is only costly if you end up spending several consecutive days/weekends at faire. Sooner or later the rental cost starts to catch up to ownership costs, but it's a great way to get your feet wet.

If you are looking to start buying garb, I'd recommend giving Devlyn a PM here or a phone call at her shop (or visit her website: www.oddbodkin.com (http://www.oddbodkin.com) )...she's mentioned that she often gets customer phone calls that go sort of like this:

Devlyn: Hi, what can I help you with?
Customer: I need a bodice/chemise/skirt/whole shebang ASAP!
Devlyn: Sure, what color/fabric?
Customer: Just send me whatever you have in my size, hurry!

Might be worth a try, depending on what your budget will allow. Her bodices are faboo and reasonably-priced. (Discount for IWG members too!)

I'd start with a bodice, and then you can probably find a flouncy peasant-ish skirt on eBay or at your local TJ Maxx (if you have that chain), and a chemise-like top is probably as easy to find, since the peasant/gypsy style seems to be all the rage lately.

Anyhoo, OddBodkin's phone number is 937-866-6966...tell her Vixynne Rose sent you; that'll make her laugh! ;-)

[Alianne]

The bodice is the hardest piece for a new wench to initially get 'right'.

If you have basic sewing skills, you can put together a chemise and skirt that you can wear onto the fairegrounds -- and then go bodice shopping. Even if you don't find a bodice that day, you'll get an idea as to what cuts look best on you and you won't look 'out of place' in a chemise and skirt (though do wear a bra underneath and perhaps add a fabric sash or scarf around your waist for a finishing touch).

Going to faire as a pinned Wench in 'danes (street clothes) is no problem...but you won't be allowed to participate in Wenchings or Walks or other official activities that might be going on. You won't stick out like a sore thumb because the vast majority of people attending Faire are 'danes, and the pin's not so huge that it attracts much attention. Outside the 'ren world', honestly, no one knows what it even signifies, so there you go.

[Roger]

Fairfax, VA is not that far from PARF. I’d recommend meeting Richard and I in the parking lot prior to gate. We are great at breaking in faire “virgins”. We have also helped several ‘danes into (and out of) their first pieces of garb.

[Lady Anisette]

You could also try visiting Wendlyn's shop at www.peasantclothier.com (http://www.peasantclothier.com). She has complete outfits for sale and her stuff is very well made and good for the faire virgin. My friends and I bought an outfit each from her for our very first run at faires and they were well made and still fit well. Her stuff is basic but pretty and she makes quality outfits at a good price. You can find her on ebay as well.

And you can never go wrong with Devlyn at OddBodkin. If you go through her ebay shop, there is an "make an offer" option and Devlyn never turns down a decent offer. Plus she can help you with the proper fit over the phone.

Both are great ladies to work with. Good luck!!! And be warned.... It is very easy to become addicted to garb shopping.

[surlywench]

Fairfax, VA is not that far from PARF. I’d recommend meeting Richard and I in the parking lot prior to gate. We are great at breaking in faire “virgins”. We have also helped several ‘danes into (and out of) their first pieces of garb.


The fact that you say that all with a straight face really creeps me the hell out.....:wink:

[Roger]

The fact that you say that all with a straight face really creeps me the hell out.....:wink:

I feel like we’ve been bonding lately…

In all seriousness, I really enjoy introducing new folks to the faire family. We’ve brought virgins the last three times to PARF, six at once this past Fling (we maintain a very large inventory of garb for both rogues and wenches). I’ve even helped Fiona with one of her friends who was particularly apprehensive about donning garb for the first time. We Wild Rovers are more than just pretty faces; we are ambassadors of good will, generous to a fault, and just plain (sp correction, thanks Vix. Don't want to mislead anyone; y'know: false hopes.) fun to be with.

[Vixynne Rose]

I feel like we’ve been bonding lately…

In all seriousness, I really enjoy introducing new folks to the faire family. We’ve brought virgins the last three times to PARF, six at once this past Fling (we maintain a very large inventory of garb for both rogues and wenches). I’ve even helped Fiona with one of her friends who was particularly apprehensive about donning garb for the first time. We Wild Rovers are more than just pretty faces; we are ambassadors of good will, generous to a fault, and just pain fun to be with.

Slap'n tickle? ;-)

[I'Cin]

Kismet, if you haven't already, go to Yahoo and sign up for the Local 42 Yahoo group. (You can check the Local 42 Board here too for news, and sign up for the LiveJournal.) This year we're doing an "Auntie Wench/Lil Wench" program pairing "veterans" with "newbies" and we have some MDRF specific info to hand out. The first meet n' greet is at 11:00 this Saturday at the Dragon. I'm planning to be there, assuming my kids don't undermine my plans (which they usually do).

If you pm me, I'll send you my email addy and we'll see what we can do to get you feeling more part of the crowd. My first day at faire pinned but no garb I ran into the woman who is now our Local Madame, who was more than happy to take me shopping.

Look forward to seeing you.

I'Cin
Local 42 - WWW (Wench Welcome Wagon)

[Kismet]

Thanks everyone! :)

[Bean]

Hey Kis!! I live right up route 7 in Leesburg!! Not to worry about garb right away, we can fix you up!

Do you sew at all? Willing to learn? What size are you? PM me with info and we'll see if we can coordinate our faire schedules, I have a whole closet full of garb.

[Kismet]

Wenches and rogues are the nicest people. ;)

[cnstroh]

I bought my first garb attire on ebay-a wonderful seller that goes by aconza makes wonderful pieces, sized or made to fit. Things go very reasonably usually, This year I splurged on a really nice,(very expensive) leather corset from London, and am working on a pirate wench outfit for next year....or sooner if the moment finds me right. Good luck!