Hildegard Von Bingen - Canticles of Ecstasy
RenFairytale
posted December 3, 2024
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RenFairytale is thespian, its very nature acknowledging subdued
histrionics and performativity. And so despite swimming in the
sumptuous layers of silk, velvet, or lace, there is a vulnerability, a
sincerity. The soul of an artist is bared. More than playing “princess
dress up,” RenFairytale is a devotion to and a celebration of a fantasy
world from the past. She is now unencumbered by the judgment and petty
criticisms of her peers with less composure, down on her knees in
reverence upon seeing the Unicorn tapestry at the Cloisters in person.
Her semester abroad in Edinburgh gave her a deeper appreciation for
stained glass, castles, and glimmering gold artifacts. Each of her
garments was purchased because it tells a story. Sometimes, she even
assigns names to them, like Gertrude or Phoenicia. Her esotericism may
seem pretentious and fake, but she’s genuinely
fascinated with Medieval art history, the works of Shakespeare, and
playing the lute. And for that, you respect the shit out of her.
The RenFairytale subtype was the first on which I decided to focus. I wanted to avoid getting too trendy and instead emphasize atmosphere and point of view. But for a subgenre that’s a portmanteau of Renaissance Faire and Fairytale, it may not strike one as being the most practical. One of my favorite things about experimenting with fashion is recontextualizing garments—making something ugly look flattering, making something old look modern, making something formal look casual. So while you might be initially put off by the stuffiness of RenFairytale, keep in mind that this almost-mystical creature lives inside of you, and you can access her powers whenever you want.
Personally, I don’t have the dedication to dress like this every day. Part of me wishes I could, but it’s not the kind of clothing you lounge around at home in. I’d love to have the gravitas to wear this kind of look more often than once in a while, but, alas…There are certainly moments that call for a RenFairytale look. And don’t let my reticence dissuade you—I’ve recently inquired about a slightly-ridiculous, slightly-impractical, RenFairytale-inspired piece I regret not picking up at the local vintage store…
It’s the kind of thing I normally would immediately convince myself away from, which is what I did. But then I thought about how it was daring and funky and weird, and if nobody else bought it by the end of the Black Friday weekend, then maybe it was meant to be.
Update: it was meant to be! I’ll take pictures of this coin-vest-thing styled and looking sharp in honor of this post.
I like to choose RenFairytale items that are vintage, or past vintage and genuinely antique. It sounds inaccessible and dusty, doesn’t it? Here’s a fun secret: it doesn’t have to be. Antique clothing items are available all over the place: online, thrift stores, oddities shops. You can choose to research how to look at clothing at estate sales or on forums for yourself if it’s truly antique, or you can pay a premium for pre-curated pieces. Vintage clothes are more suited for every day wear, antique clothes are better left for special occasions.
I have noticed a trend recently towards this aesthetic, which I vacillate between deciding is more renaissance or middle-ages. The new Medieval by Teenage Engineering is a good example. I was mainly inspired by Zoe Bleu, whose red carpet fashion looks made me gasp with excitement. She has this way of looking super effortless while sticking to a specific artistic vision.
Muses: Zoe Bleu, Chappell Roan, Olivia Hussey in Shakespeare (1968)
You don’t have to try and find a sixteenth-century Dutch milkmaid’s bonnet or a knight’s sword. In a perfect world, we could all buy museum-quality pieces and have the audacity to wear them. Think outside of the box. There are always costumes from old stage shows or dance performances, better-constructed than anything from Shein, that check the “vintage” and “affordable” boxes. There’s no rule against buying new, either—especially reproductions by the artisans and craftsmen who outfit Renaissance Faire enthusiasts. You may already have jewelry, blouses, dresses, skirts, and boots that you can wear when you’re feeling particularly beguiling. Vintage brands like Gunne Sax also have fun renaissance-inspired dresses, but they can get pricey.
Here are some items I’ve curated, some of which may or may not be for sale by the time I post this.
Clockwise: Armstreet Medieval XIII Century Women's Flat Shoes, Antique silver mesh purse, Vintage Metal Belt, mid-1800s French theater armour costume, Antique Swiss Dance Costume, Lady Lilith by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1867), 1900s Theater Headpiece, 1890s Orange Raw Silk Puff Shoulder Bodice.
Become the RenfairyTale girl. Spoil yourself. Pile as many mattresses as you have on top of each other and see if you can feel the pea underneath. Develop your aesthetic sensibilities, informed by your studies of art history, theatre, and philosophy. Build your own enchanted forest, a world you can escape to and share with others.
Go forth and dress like that bitch.