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The Best Garments We Saw at the Colorado Renaissance Festival Opening Weekend

Hear ye, hear ye, the Colorado Renaissance Festival is back. But is your outfit ready?
Image: A group of people in Renaissance Festival outfits.
Yvette, Masha, Greg, Martha and Michael at the Colorado Renaissance Festival. Photo by Kastle Waserman

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Fairies, fair maidens, peasants, entertainers, elves, commoners, nobles, witches and wizards returned to the annual Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur to step into a vibrant English village in the forest, reminiscent of those found during the Elizabethan era of the English Renaissance, when culture and the arts flourished. With an opening weekend theme of magical fantasy, attendees in colorful costumes mixed with an array of those in period-inspired outfits.

The concept of renaissance festivals originated in 1963 as a one-time fundraiser, sparking interest in the period that grew and spread across the United States throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Over the years, attendees began to dress to attend and became as much a part of the show, creating a fully immersive environment.

Getting dressed for the Renaissance Festival is a major production, as evident in a host of YouTube and TikTok videos showcasing people putting outfits together, ranging from thrifted items to handcrafted pieces purchased from the vendors at the Faire. Layering flowy dresses, skirts and shirts with multiple belts, jewelry and armor is standard, along with mythical elements such as horns, wings and elf ears.

Creativity is key as many renaissance styles dip into other subcultures such as cottagecore, steampunk, goth and characters such as vikings, pirates and futuristic space people. Check the themed weekend schedule for specific character days.

Some attendees make Ren Fest fashion a lifestyle choice, regularly attending festivals across the country and joining clans and guilds who coordinate outfits and attend as groups.

Here are some of the best fits we saw on opening day at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.

click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Alexi and Raferty at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Bill and Marissa at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge A person in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Caius at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge A person in a moth costume
Cass at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Cast parade at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Elijah and Olivia at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge A person in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Evan at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Jen at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
John and Leda at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge A person in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Kyle at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Lady Elizabeth and Prince Otto at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Mackenzie and Josh at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Micarla, Celia and Kyleigh at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Michelle and Allen at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Cast parade at the Colorado Renaissance Festival
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Paul and Andrea at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Performer at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People perform at the Renaissance Festival.
Performers at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Rae and William at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Robin, Ezra, Cloud and Arlen at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
click to enlarge People in Renaissance Festival clothes.
Yoly and Ollie at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
Photo by Kastle Waserman
The Colorado Renaissance Festival is open every weekend from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through August 3 at 650 Perry Park Avenue, Larkspur. Tickets are $29-$32; find more information at coloradorenaissance.com.