Retail Binge

Early this year, I was fascinated and determined to attend my first ever Renaissance Faire. My first dive was watching creators on YouTube sharing their experiences and advice on what to expect and how to prepare for your first ren faire. I live near San Jose, CA, and was excited to learn that the Northern California Renaissance Faire takes place in Hollister, CA, every year between mid September thru mid October.

You’d think “Oh, is that where the Hollister clothing store originated?” That would be incorrect. Hollister Co. was founded in 2000 in Columbus, OH, under it’s parent company Abercrombie & Fitch, using a deliberate fictional lifestyle history as their marketing strategy to feed consumers a coastal California surf style at a lower price point. I shopped, more like browsed, at Hollister in the early 2000’s, I was more of a Charlotte Russe kind of girl, and had no idea that they were connected to Abercrombie & Fitch. At Hollister, the most challenging thing was to pull out a spaghetti-strap tank that wasn’t already tangled in a wooden hanger mess.

The store was dark with very little overhead lighting, the fitting rooms were even darker. With loud music and air wafting with a mix of body sprays, it was and would still be an overwhelming, unappreciated sensory experience, at least for my preference. Though, their clothes were so popular. Online shopping was just becoming a thing and many of us were waiting at home on dial-up. Most clothes were purchased in store. I can just visualize the Hollister brand logo across T-shirts and sweatshirts in high school. I went to a rural high school in Western Pennsylvania. Ironic that this fabricated coastal lifestyle brand originated in Columbus, OH, less than 200 miles away. We buy into the lifestyle promise, no matter if the surf dreams come from the Midwest.

After binging YouTube videos on Renaissance Faires and costume clothing websites, I had an idea of what I would like to wear for my first Ren Faire. I have this ’90s Western style vest I thrifted online. I’ve worn it for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and just for fun. I love it’s tapestry like design and thought this fabric would do really well as a corset top. I wouldn’t need to start from scratch, I would just sew my alterations. I also had thrifted this 100% cotton light blue eyelet lace peasant like dress. This dress would be flowy and allow great air flow for a possible hot Ren Faire day. And I wouldn’t have to put on too much sunscreen.

Going from a V-neck vest, I cut the vest with a square neckline and removed the buttons. I added darts at the bust and the back for shape and added additional button holes along the front seams. My idea was to add ribbon down the front to join. I found this velvet mustard ribbon at Michaels that complimented the yellow and goldenrod colors from the fabric.

For my husband, I thrifted an oversize linen collared shirt at a local thrift store. The linen fabric, the slouchy shoulder and oatmeal color was perfect for a medieval style shirt.

I thrifted a brown leather belt that I cut into strips so I could create that chunky, shoelace look below the beck. I removed some buttons and machine sewed additional buttonholes to accommodate the lace.

Northern California Renaissance Faire, Oktoberfest Weekend, October 12, 2025.

Our thrifted and sewn Ren Faire attire! All complete with comfy tennis shoes.

It was only in the mid 70s that day, dry and comfortable. We ate orange chicken, had cider, watched the Dirty Laundry act and Blades and Bravery swords swallowing act, and The Queen’s Royal Joust. All a blast.

Looking forward to next year!