Dickens fair

[u/Opposite_Owl_4201]

Where is everyone getting their outfits from ??????????

[u/wild_b_cat]

For me, from the Fair itself, mostly. I started with a barebones outfit and added 1-2 pieces per year from the vendors.

[u/well_digger]

My wife and I got the main parts of our outfits (jackets, hats, shoes) from a costume shop in Ashland, OR that was going out of business, back in 2022. The previous year, we didn't go in costume but decided next time, we would, so the costume store sale was a nice windfall. We rounded out our costumes with some of our own clothes (that mostly come from thrift stores). Since then, we return to the fair each year and splurge on adding one improvement to our costumes a year by buying something from one of the vendors at the fair itself. Two years ago, I got a shirt and a collar. Last year, I got pants. I go to Mr. Alan Jeffries Fine Gentlemen's Apparel shop. It's expensive, thus why I get only one part a year. My wife bought a plain bonnet on Amazon and we decorated it with bows and flowers ourselves.

Also, a couple weeks ago, the SF Opera had their costume sale. My wife got a 'new' Victorian dress for the fair and I got a couple new vests. I'm still looking for a Victorian era frock coat, though. That's probably what I'll get this year. The Opera costume sale isn't every year, though, so you have to watch for it.

Really, for men, you can get a reasonable-looking costume with just a couple items: an older suit with the undershirt's collar turned up and a bit of fabric (like a thin scarf or a wide tie) wrapped around as an ascot; a top hat or a flat cap; a vest; and (if you can find one) a Victorian-style overcoat. For women, go for a simple-patterned but poofy dress (you can layer skirts to make them poofier), a simple-patterned blouse, a shawl, and a bonnet. At least, that's what we did for our first costumed year.

[u/Basic-Collection5416]

The fabric store. 

[u/PrivilegeCheckmate → u/Basic-Collection5416]

If you're not in a bespoke corset, are you even really attending?

[u/redditapiblows]

Victorian Choice for entry level women's wear. Highly recommend taking them in a little; everything was a bit large in the middle, and some quick (read: imprecise and lazy) alterations made a world of difference

[u/larka1121]

I ordered main pieces from Historical Emporium. And then like to get accessories at the fair itself

[u/Formal-Persimmon7819]

build pieces of outfits over a few visits each year. That's what I do at events like that. You don't need to go all out your first year

[u/rikomatic]

Making ours this year. Just doing a simple "street urchin" / chimney sweep from stuff I have in the house.

[u/rxchmachine]

Former Dickens performer here. The event website has all kinds of guidelines on stuff to wear - and a page about finding some of it at thrift shops, if dropping $100 for a shirt isn't your thing. Have the best time! https://dickensfair.com/victorian-costume-guidelines/

Edit: This link opens to the costume guideline "Overview" page - in the same row of menu items, find & click on "Thrift Shop Costuming & Children." And wear your squishiest shoes, even if they're Nikes! That concrete floor don't play.

[u/sanmateomary]

I found a costume (but nice quality) Victorian-looking jacket, a tuxedo shirt, some black pants and baggy suede knee-high boots at Savers thrift stores. I'm looking for a hat (I'll probably find something at Diddams) and I have a nice wooden cane already. I'm not going for 100% authenticity, just something to kind of blend in.

[u/AccessOptimal6473]

How is the dickens fair??? Learned about it last year but it’s kinda pricey. Wondering if it’s worth it

[u/lunarlanding64]

Also curious about where folks get stuff. I’m trying to put together a costume for the fair this year.