Costumes
One of the things that makes the Middle Earth Weekend special is seeing people dressed up in costumes. Whether you are a visitor, stall holder or steward dressing up adds to the atmosphere of the event.
For those that really put an effort into their costumes, there is also a Costume Parade.
Costumes From Your Wardrobe
You don’t have to be able to sew to create a costume! A lot of the garments are there in your wardrobe already – all you have to do is put them together (but perhaps in a combination you wouldn’t usually use). Persuade family members to lend you bits of their wardrobes too – and you can create a costume without a lot of effort.
Hobbits
These are the easiest ‘look’ to create and suit most people. Use bright colours. Bare feet aren’t a good idea for most people – wear comfortable shoes instead.
Female Hobbit
Longish, fairly full skirt in plain colour (mid calf or longer is best)
Blouse with full sleeves (elbow length or longer) white or self coloured (‘peasant style’ looks best, but you can use a ‘casual’ style with a soft collar. Avoid ‘formal styles’
Waistcoat in toning colour (‘lace-up the front’ style is best, but if you don’t have one, borrow a man’s ‘button up the front type’ – or you can do without a waistcoat and add an apron instead.
Apron (waist apron only, fairly wide – white or pale colour)
Shawl – woollen, knitted or crocheted looks best, but anything plain will do (including a small plain tablecloth folded crossways and pinned in place)
Shoes – flat, plain shoes or ‘Mary Jane’ types (small heel, bar across the front – a bit like school shoes) for preference, rather than fashion shoes.
Tights – plain, flesh coloured (Hobbits wouldn’t have worn them so make them as ‘invisible’ as you can)
Male Hobbit
Coloured shirt (collarless for preference) – can be plain, striped or checked. Pyjama top might also be suitable. Avoid formal styles.
Casual trousers (cords are most ‘rural’, or plain fabrics and styles). For a ‘really authentic’ look cut them off below the knee – but only if you want to wear them this length in future. Avoid jeans, cargos or trousers with multiple pockets. Only tie string below the knee if you want to look like Farmer Maggot!
Neckerchief – large brightly coloured handkerchief, (plain, self-coloured lady’s headscarf makes a good substitute)
Waistcoat – plain style looks best
Shoes – Walking boots look great! If not, wear brogues or lace-ups for preference. Avoid formal styles and trainers.
Socks – plain – beige or brown for preference. (Hobbits wouldn’t have worn them, so make them as ‘invisible’ as you can)
Elves
Not so easy to re-create from the average wardrobe – but still possible. The ‘Elvish look’ doesn’t suit everyone. ‘Boots are best’ with this look, especially for Male Elves (whether worn by males or females), but a genuinely ‘Female Elf’ can get away with shoes.
Female Elf
Long dress with square or scooped neck and long, full sleeves (Nightdresses can make good substitutes). Use pastel shades and soft colours only. Avoid patterns, particularly ‘busy’ ones
Chain belts (very popular in the nineteen sixties and seventies and making a comeback). Wear round waist, with chain dangling at front.
Necklace – use as headdress across the front of the hair – fasten with hairgrips
Shoes – (should hardly show under the dress) – ‘court’ styles or boots are probably best
Male Elf
‘Formal look’ – (similar to Elrond)
Long ‘under-robe’- use full-length nightshirt or nightdress as for Female Elf, but in darker, plain colours
Formal ‘over-robe’ – use full length silk dressing-gown in toning colours
Belt – use long plain, self coloured piece of fabric as a belt (lady’s long silky scarf is ideal)
Trousers – (must not show) – tight fitting, plain dark colours – lady’s leggings are best to create ‘the look’.
Boots – mid calf or higher. Avoid ‘Cowboy boots’ or Wellington boots.
‘Practial look’ – (similar to Legolas)
shorter tunic – use plain, long Tee shirt (must be long enough to reach mid-thigh as least). If tee shirt has short sleeves, wear plain, long-sleeved Tee shirt underneath
Belt – plain leather belt is fine. Avoid buckles with obviously ‘Cowboy’ or other ‘non-Elvish’ designs
Trousers – tight fitting, plain dark colours – lady’s leggings are best to create ‘the look’.
Boots – mid calf or higher. Avoid ‘Cowboy boots’ or Wellington boots.
Humans
‘Humans’ fit into two main periods. Ideally, go for the ‘medieval look’ (similar to Aragon for ‘male appearance’ or Eowyn for ‘female appearance’ also the people of Rohan and Gondor), but for some events an ‘18th century look’ is also appropriate. It’s best not to mix the two styles – so persuade everyone agree on ‘the look’ used beforehand and stick to it.
Medieval Humans
These are similar to Elves in some ways, but more practical. Use darker, plainer fabrics for male or female to get the effects.
Women
Long dress with round, square or scooped neck and long sleeves. Sleeves can be straight or full (straight is more practical). Nightdresses can make good dresses in the summer). . Avoid patterns, particularly ‘busy’ ones
Chain belts (very popular in the nineteen sixties and seventies and making a comeback). Wear round waist, with chain dangling at front.
Headdress – use necklace hair-gripped in the front of the hair for a ‘rich lady’s’ jewelled headdress (lots of ‘bling’ around at the moment, so easy to come by). ‘Poorer ladies’ or for more practical costumes – use a plain long scarf placed over the head, cross the ends under the chin and pin in place on the shoulders. This ‘look’ is still around today.
Shoes – (should hardly show under the dress) – ‘court’ styles or boots are probably best
Men
‘Formal look’ – (similar to Theoden or Denethor) –
Long ‘under-robe’- use full-length nightshirt or nightdress as for women, but in darker, plain colours
Formal ‘over-robe’ – use full length silk dressing-gown in toning colours
Belt – use chain belt (similar to women) or plain leather.
Trousers – (must not show) – tight fitting, plain dark colours – lady’s leggings are best to create ‘the look’ if they do show at all..
Boots – mid calf or higher. Avoid ‘Cowboy boots’ or Wellington boots.
‘Practial look’ – (similar to Aragon)
shorter tunic – use plain, long Tee shirt (must be long enough to reach mid-thigh as least). If tee shirt has short sleeves, wear plain, long-sleeved Tee shirt underneath
Belt – plain leather belt is fine. Avoid buckles with obviously ‘Cowboy’ or other ‘modern’ designs
Trousers – tight fitting, plain dark colours – lady’s leggings are best to create ‘the look’.
Boots – mid calf or higher. Avoid ‘Cowboy boots’ or Wellington boots.
18th century ‘Humans’
These are very similar to Hobbits in many ways except for the length of garments. Consult the notes on Hobbits for basic ideas, but note the following differences:
Women’s skirts should be almost full length and definitely no shorter than ankle length (all ‘respectable women’ wore long skirts at this period).
Men would wear knee breeches or full-length trousers – but don’t tie under the knee unless being a farm labourer.
Go for the practical look, especially if you are wearing it all day or doing an active job such as minding a stall. Hobbits are, after all, very practical!
Dwarfs
Their costumes are mainly very straightforward.
The wearer needs a tee shirt with long sleeves and a belt around it (preferably with a heavy, rather showy buckle).
Leggings or narrow trousers and boots – preferably heavy ones since dwarfs are traditionally miners.
The hardest part to find in most wardrobes is the hood – which should have a shoulder cape as well (a bit like 'Robin Hood' wears). If you can't persuade someone to make one for you – use a helmet instead (joke shops sell plastic ‘viking’ helmets very cheaply – just saw the horns off and you have a very acceptable round helmet).
The traditional dwarf also carries an axe (very cheap plastic ones are everywhere at Hallowe'en in joke and card shops).
Male dwarfs should have a beard – men can grow their own but the jury's still out on whether female dwarfs have them (Tolkien is silent on this one).
I suspect that slim-line dwarfs are rare – they look more authentic if they've got their own padding but if they haven't, a cushion strategically placed under the tee shirt and held in position by the belt could do instead (but beware of the 'pregnant male' look – not very authentic!).
Many thanks to Chris Adderley for providing these suggestions.