Guidelines:
- No sneakers! Tennis shoes. Running shoes. Trail runners. Flip-flops. Birkenstocks. Crocs… oh, puh-leez no Crocs! And as much as we admire Converse All-Stars ourselves… sorry, no. Boots are going to server you better in any case.
- Avoid zippers if you can at all help it, especially on jackets.
- No make up, rubber pointed ears, or fairy wings. This ain’t a Ren Faire. We’re not even sure how that all flies at a Ren Faire.
- Close enough counts! If it’ll play okay to the camera, wear it. Not everyone can afford $800 for an authentic pair of new period adventure boots, so a subtle zipper here and there isn’t so bad, especially on boots. Some folks wear linesman or pole climber boots that look completely authentic and don’t cost a mint.
- It’s always best to disguise or hide your modern camera gear. Keep it in a canvas or leather pouch and out of other people’s photos.
- Cell phones really spoil the look and probably won’t work anyway if you’re out on an actual expedition. Though most have great cameras in them, keep them out of sight.
- Modern square spectacles look very out of place. If at all possible, wear contact lenses, or if that squicks you out like it does me, wear period looking glasses. The old cable arm style keeps spectacles from falling off your face in precarious locations or jostling around on horseback as well. You can find some at a very reasonable price here.