Advice on Planning a Re-enacting Wardrobe
Some of the most profound advice I have read on planning an ensemble, and to a
certain extent a persona, states that one must  “look through the eyes of a different
era.” Meaning, to view your choices as a person of that era would.  Also, to “view the
persons of the past as individual persons, with his/her own opinions, preferences, and
history.”  Meaning, just as not everyone of today wears the exact same garment, in the
exact same way, neither did the persons in the era you want to portray.

Consider the following when planning a re-enacting wardrobe:.
Historically Appropriate:
Were your choices available to persons of that era, likely to be chosen by persons of
that era, and used in that manner in that era.
Persona Appropriate:
Just as a tour through your present day wardrobe would tell the world your opinions,
values, morals, personality, sympathies, and preferences; the garb you choose will tell
the historical world about your persona’s place in history.
Age Appropriate:
Just as young men today choose styles and cuts for their  wardrobe that their "more
distinguished" fathers and uncles wouldn't dream of touching; some styles of the past
are better on younger or older men. Do your choices match your "age"?
Economically Appropriate:
What constitutes an expensive fabric differs from era to era. Would they have been
able to afford the fabric, trim? Is it a complicated pattern that requires precise fitting,
that would have been done by a  tailor, and could they have afforded a tailor? Was
this garment meant to withstand many cleanings, or be worn once?
Event Appropriate:
Are they serious about history (and the fun is syrup on the ice cream) or are they
more interested in the entertainment value of the event. Knowing the focus of the
events you attend saves a lot of heart-ache, frustration, and nasty feelings for
attendees, event givers, and tourists.