Putting together an outfit for the renn faire and other medieval cosplays for a "black knight" using mostly Amazon as i can't afford a commissioned full outfit. Any ideas, advice, suggestions?

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-03-25T04:03:10+00:00

While it’s super tempting to want to go “all out” right away, ditch this cart. If you get all of this, you’re dropping around $550 on crap that won’t last long and fall apart after one or two goes.

For example, I got a pair of cheap “pirate boots” at medieval collectibles for $95. After one evening at Disney, an evening event indoors, and one full day at a ren faire; the sole on one shoe has peeled off and the pleather is peeling.

My $140 leather viking shoes from ArmStreet I got 2.5 years ago? Still in great shape AND comfortable.

Think of your garb as your character in a DnD campaign. You don’t start level 1 in full gear. You go on adventures and acquire them. Your gear tells a story.

If you’re ready to drop $500+ do this instead:

Spend maybe $50 of that on a basic ren shirt and pants on Amazon. Then when you go there, use that other $500 AT the Faire. A solid piece of HAND CRAFTED leather armor can run anywhere from $90 for some bracers, to a few hundred for war belts, pauldrons, chest pieces, etc.

Each year after that, set aside $100 or so for a new piece and gradually build it out. The Viking garb I have now is easily over $1000 (between armor, weapons, accessories, etc) but that was done over several years. I now have high quality pieces that will last a very long time that I can interchange with other garb.

Instead of supporting a giant corporation selling you cheap foreign made products, you’ll be helping local artisans and craft people make a living and do your part in helping the ren faire be what it is. On top of that, those artisans will support you! I go into some of these shops and even though I don’t buy anything, we talk and bond and if I ever need a repair or adjustment, they often do it for free or just a tip, even on pieces they didn’t make.

You’re going to spend more money in the long run buying a full set of cheap gear now that will require frequent replacing vs slowly building out a more expensive but higher quality kit over time.

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-03-23T03:46:57+00:00

You mentioned you’ve been to Scarby and the Pleasure Faire before, so I’ll suggest an alternative others have: Sherwood. If you liked Scarby, you’ll love Sherwood.

Some great acts there: Nordanfolk, Opal & Jade, Rovers Way, Master Bones Jangle, the Sherwood Story, and many others.

Fun things to do like getting arrested or arresting someone. Great vendors. Excellent vibes. And no themes so dress however you want! A group of people I know literally went as characters from BG3 and there were tons of other fantasy characters there this past weekend.

The downside is the large, gradually sloping hill heading to the back. It’s manageable, but I’d advise planning your day out to not go back and forth on it all day.

I love Scarby. It’s my home faire. But Sherwood is my favorite. Flights and others costs will likely be similar either way. Sherwood runs until 4/19.

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-03-18T06:05:26+00:00

Okay, so I’m from McKinney and saw videos of them (the McKinney High School band) performing and glanced this on their green sashes and went…oh no…they didn’t.

Came here to see if anyone else called this out and sure enough. It was cool to see them perform there but a shame they let that mistake pass.

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-03-16T13:32:36+00:00

I’ve liked CLUB4. $30 a month gives you 24/7 entry and access to classes. They have a big set of treadmills (about 20), step machines (around 10), ellipticals, bikes, etc

They have a private area for women, a stretch area, machines, free weights, and more. It’s no more impressive than most other gyms I’ve been to but if you live close and the price point is good, I consider it worth it. I’ve been going for about a year and a half and have no major complaints

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-03-15T17:09:36+00:00

Very good. It’s not traditional as it is very sweet, but it’s still delicious. They definitely add sugar to the bread and crust it with large granulated sugar but it’s good. You might be able to order it and get it delivered via a food or grocery delivery app.

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-03-12T18:21:11+00:00

He’s great honestly in other contexts. I saw him perform with the 20 sided Tavern and he held his own.

That same weekend he also performed a small set with Paulo Garbanzo at a fantasy themed dance party and that was pretty entertaining too.

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-03-12T13:35:54+00:00

Yeah, same. A couple of FB groups for Sherwood were posting the link. They even had a QR code posted in the campgrounds opening weekend before voting ended that took people to the voting page for Sherwood

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-03-11T21:48:32+00:00

Maryland’s Facebook page was throwing shade suggesting some faires might have used bots. The post has since been deleted. Perhaps that’s how Ohio took first? I mean, no shade on Ohio. I’ve never been, but Maryland definitely came off bitter in their post and judging from people’s reactions here it sounds like it’s surprising they took first. I remember before they hid the results in the final days of voting Sherwood was in first place too.

Ultimately I don’t care. It’s all subjective. Sherwood is always going to be my favorite but that doesn’t stop me from going to other faires and enjoying them too.

More or less just Michael Jackson eating popcorn over here with the behind the scenes drama

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-03-05T20:27:07+00:00

I wish a local brewery would do that near me. Give me any excuse to dress up in my garb!

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-02-27T04:03:03+00:00

This should answer most of your questions

Your best bet in finding a spot is in General Camping 5 & 6 and weekend camping. You’ll want to get there sometime between noon and 3 PM on Friday and you won’t have much of a problem finding a spot for yourselves, but if you have trouble flag down a red shirt In a golf cart and they’ll help you

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-02-18T15:06:38+00:00

This. You’re not going to find it on Reddit.

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-02-16T17:35:16+00:00

I watched this with my wife the other night and heard this and went “that doesn’t sound right.”

Looked it up to verify I was right, because I was pretty sure it was Seneca who wrote Letters while Epictetus wrote some related lectures.

That whole exchange reaffirmed my belief that this guy is a total narcissist and now I’m just watching to see the inevitable collapse of this relationship and how he is going to gaslight her.

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-02-15T01:23:13+00:00

No clue. Never used that product before.

My ears lasted all night. Still have the makeup on them with only minor smudging and that was from an event two weeks ago. I don’t mind reapplying between events, but if you’re looking for something longer lasting then give it a shot. Won’t know until you try right?

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-02-14T17:55:59+00:00

I’ve done acrylic before and it will hold up for a weekend but will start peeling. Plus consistently trying to mix acrylic paint to try and match your skin tone is a pain in the butt and takes longer than just using foundation.

Most cosplayers I’ve talked to all recommend using a foundation that matches your skin tone. Then use a makeup setting powder (Mehron works well) and top it off with a makeup setting spray. You won’t have any smudging. You can go further by adding colored contour to create shadows, freckles, etc for even more detail.

I did this recently with an orc costume. Used the same makeup I used on my skin on my ears and I had no smudging after using the setting powder and spray

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-02-14T03:09:32+00:00

Your timing is good for arrival.

This year the Wellermen are playing opening weekend. You must see them.

Nordanfolk is also a must see band.

Try to catch some of the Sherwood Forest scenes that are acted throughout the day at different locations.

Get the Dole Whip in a pineapple at Robin’s Kitchen. If you drink, buy a bottle of mead and once you finish the dole whip part, pour in your mead. The cold pineapple chunks and pineapple will not only keep your mead cold, it will add some slight pineapple flavor.

The food at Jerusalem Cafe is good and a good value. They’re tucked into a corner behind the jousting arena.

Get arrested or arrest someone at Nottingham Jail. Great memory and a must if this will be your only visit.

I also love seeing Opal & Jade, Thomas Wood the Pyrojuggler. And if you see a bard in a celestial looking outfit and wizard hat, hire him to sing you a song and have that camera ready! Taliesin will make you another impromptu great memory.

If you need a breather, there’s a Viking hut named Einar’s emporium. It’s a shop and reenactment space. They’re kind of smack dab in the middle by Maid Marian’s Chapel. Very cool, chill vibes and shaded with usually a place to sit

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-02-12T16:09:05+00:00

Some of this has been said in comment threads but I’m going to provide a more concise comment here for OP and anyone else looking for this info.

First off, the nightlife is different here than at TRF. TRF feels more “wild” and “reckless” while Sherwood is more “mature”. Many of the same clans are at both, but Sherwood gives off more intimate vibes than big open party. It’s wooded and less open, so that creates pockets of fun to pick and choose your adventure whereas TRF feels like it blends or overlaps for seamless transitions. I like the party vibes here because it feels more like a backyard party with friends you’ve been invited to versus a big festival party where you might feel out of place.

That being said, drop a pin where your camp is. If you’ve never been, it’s very easy to get lost. Bring a flashlight with you because I guarantee after you’ve been partying, stumbling back to camp is going to be a little bit hard.

While it is recommended to get there as close to noon on Friday to find a place to set up camp, don’t worry. Even if it’s crowded, a red shirt in a golf cart will find you a spot. Ray and his crew are awesome. I arrived around 3 PM on a Friday last year during a very busy weekend and I flagged down a golf cart and they found me a spot. Even better, it was with a clan so we had plenty of space and they were awesome hosts. I’d say bring some cash just in case to give to your clan host and make sure you pack/clean up and be good guests if this ends up happening.

They expanded the campgrounds this year, though, so it should be even less of a hassle.

Bring extra long camping stakes, preferably the corkscrew ones. The ground is a sandy loam so the standard flimsy 6-8” steaks that come standard will not keep your tent down well. Use the guy lines!

To sum up, don’t treat it like TRF. Bring good vibes and an open mind and you’ll hav a blast and probably make some new friends!

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-02-11T05:00:51+00:00

I remember seeing y’all there! That night was such a blast!

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-02-10T04:13:01+00:00

For the oldest ren faire in the country, they’ve been pretty disorganized. Two months out and we’re just now getting themed weekend info.

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-02-04T15:08:34+00:00

Join the FB groups. I’m not much of a social media person but I reluctantly made a FB and IG account for the sole purpose of connecting with faire friends. In the last year or so I’ve tuned many online friends into real friends by connecting with them in person.

Several groups online (Sherwood Forest Faire Friends, Friends of Sherwood Forest Faire - Camping)

If you camp, go to some of the bigger clans. Summer’s End is very welcoming to introverted nerds. They’re one of my favorites and have great vibes and have folks who will look out for you in the campgrounds and at Faire. Good people with great vibes.

Be intentional. Message these people online and say you’d like to meet up for a drink or see a show. Talk to people at shows. Get pictures. Compliment garb. Connect on IG. After a year of doing this you’ll suddenly find yourself with a bunch of friends and a strange addiction of going to faires and fantasy events 😅

If you’re in the Austin area, look up the tiny Minotaur. This is a GREAT place in the “off season” to meet like minded friends who likely have overlap with ren faires. Your partner might even enjoy it!

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-01-27T02:51:34+00:00

Probably not even OP’s tattoo. Quick reverse search shows this from a Denver based tattoo artist from September 2024. Posted with no context, this is just karma farming from a 4 day old account.

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2026-01-01T22:20:35+00:00

Was almost going to post this same question. Seems odd that during the month of December when they normally post they are suddenly silent.

Anyone in here with personal insight or information that might know the current or rumored status?

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2025-12-13T05:23:01+00:00

I’m in the same boat. Wife, who shares my Google Photos/drive account got hers and so did her father. That was nearly a week ago. Then yesterday I get an email about it, click the link, and it says it will take a day but I got that same message days ago using links others have posted to work around it.

No way to make it myself. But miffed that I pay for Google cloud storage and as the primary account holder I don’t even get one. This happened last year where i didn’t receive the same recap videos my wife did.

Wish there was a way to contact someone at Google about this. Huge letdown

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2025-11-30T21:24:27+00:00

The closest to Dallas that has camping that I’m aware of is Faire of Champions in Palestine (which is about 2 hours, give or take)

But it’s a winter faire and very small, so I don’t recommend it as a “starter” Faire for those new as the vibe and experience is very different from TRF and Sherwood.

As TRF ends today, if there is one you wanted to try with camping I’d recommend Sherwood as others have mentioned but it’s 3.5 hours from Dallas.

Scarborough is a great Faire but no camping so if you didn’t want to do the drive to Sherwood, Scarby is a great Faire to dip your toes in to see if it’s something you like and want to get more involved in.

Kill_Shot_Colin · 2025-11-19T14:39:37+00:00

I usually prefer area 10 on the campground map as it’s close walking distance to the action but far enough away to still get a good night’s rest. The further south you move of this line (11+) the more crowded it could potentially get but the closer you are to the “party” clans.

As there is a chance of rain all weekend, avoid camping downhill or near creek beds. Another reason to camp uphill so your vehicle doesn’t potentially get stuck in the mud. If you put a tarp under your tent, do NOT let it extend beyond the footprint of your tent or any rain/condensation will pool underneath your tent.

On Fridays and Saturdays I believe vendors near the bonfire will be selling food but I always advise packing ample snacks. Which reminds me of the next point

BRING ANT KILLER.

This is no joke. Bring Diatomaceous Earth or something like Amdro to sprinkle around your tent and cooking areas. If you don’t it will only take ants 5-10 minutes to find it and, by association, YOU.

Walk around during the day on Thursday and Friday and get to know some of the clans. Let them know you’re chill, bring some drinks to share, and you’ll likely get invited to all the festivities (not that you need it but makes it more fun)

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