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Who will you be??
When you are choosing a name to use in the Society, please note
that you may not use a title, such as "Lord" or "Sir" or
"Mistress". Though all of us are considered to be of gentle birth, these titles
belong only to people in the Society who have distinguished themselves in various ways,
and have been awarded titles to signify this. Though your name should be appropriate to
your time and culture, you may not name yourself after a famous person who really existed.
Choosing
a persona
However diverse our personas are, they DO have certain things in
common:
 | Your Persona is an original creation, not someone you read about
in history or fiction. Your name should be consistent with the time., location, and
"history" of your persona. (Just Use your everyday name for a while until you
find a name for your persona that "fits" Consult a herald for pointers.) |
| You are a human being. (This seems reasonable considering what
would have become of a self-confessed Martian or Half-Elf, etc. Save these
"outlandish" characters for D&D where they will add to the atmosphere. In
the SCA, they just seem out of place.) |
| You are presumed to be of "gentle birth", (unless you
want to be a peasant--and there are valid reasons, like cooler clothes). But don't assume
any titles (King, Duke, Sir, Lord, Lady, etc.) for titles are earned in the SCA, and
bestowed by the royalty on worthy individuals. So be a worthy individual, be creative,
courteous and help out at events, and the titles will come to you as your worth is
recognized. WHAT
CAN I WEAR?
For your first event, you may wish to use some of the following
ideas. You will need at least one outfit per day of the event, plus possibly one very nice
outfit for court. Don't panic: ask your local Mistress or Master of the Arts for help and
guidance. Perhaps Someone has some old garb (SCA clothes) you can borrow. There are a few
things to avoid, including plain white, red, or green belts, or a plain silver or gold
chain around your neck. All of these are considered marks f rank (for example, a white
belt is mark of a knight), and it is a severe breach of courtesy to wear them. Also,
metallic circlet should not be worn on your head until you have received your Award of
Arms. A few words to the wise:
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| Trimaris is Florida, and it's HOT most of the year, clothes
authentic to Celtic Britain will cause heat prostration here. It is much more sensible to
work with appropriate fabrics to the clime. It is sensible to make at least one or two
costumes out of cotton or mostly (70%) cotton blends, or other naturally breathing
fabrics, with a loose weave if you can find it. You'll be glad you did when it hits 90!
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| Try to research the costumes of your period, and if possible, the
kinds and colors of fabrics, trims, and accessories they used...this will add a lot to
your total "look". You'll look terrific, and your fellow SCAdian's will thank
you for it! |
| Polyester double-knit always looks like polyester double-
knit...don't let it into your wardrobe There are plenty of acceptable-looking synthetics
(broadcloth, satin, brocades, gauze, and velvet) that will look good when used in
costumes...just ask the Mistress of Arts for suggestions. But remember if the fabric is
synthetic, it will more. than likely be less suitable in warm weather than natural,
breathable fabrics. |
| If your main persona is a fancy (but HOT) dresser, you may
consider having an alternate' secondary persona for the warm months and for work or play
on less formal occasions than Courts or Feasts.
 | Tennis shoes are out; try cloth or leather this era! |
| Short sleeves don't flop in the dishwater, and short hems don't
catch on the underbrush or mop dirt off the .floor like a long train will. |
| Cotton and cotton blends won't have to be dry cleaned; velvet and
synthetic brocades WILL. (But they look wonderful...so use them, only be aware of the
extra upkeep and determine when to use them to best advantage.) |
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IN THE
MEANWHILE...
There's really no rush to this process. Some people do figure out
their personas in a month or two, but to most of us, it's a continuing process of finding
out more about the life and times of our personas, and trying to incorporate what we learn
into our "trappings". This includes costumes and other things we acquire or make
to re-create a medieval atmosphere.
If you don't know who you want to be right away, and need a
little time to decide, just make a T-tunic (the most basic costume--ask anyone how to make
it!), stick with your mundane name until you're inspired by that "perfect
persona" for you, it will come to you soon enough. But be careful about choosing a
name, because the chances are it will "stick" quickly and forever! If you feel
it will be difficult to respond to a different name, you can always opt to keep your first
name, as long as it is consistent with your persona. A couple of pointers on costumes
might be helpful.
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