costume ideas?

Question

My 12 yr old has to make a medieval costume for his history class. He wants to be Richard the Lionheart either as the king or the crusader. We don't know where to begin as far as materials, fake chainmail, etc. Has anyone ever made a costume like this and how hard was it? What types of fabric/materials were used? I need it to be simple.
Thanks

Answer 1

Wow not easy. I've made a chain mail shirt before (and worn one) and first off, it took me and a friend 3 weeks to make it and it weighed so much I could barely wear it--needed a friend to put it on. Richard the Lionhearted is **easier** to do as the crusader. Richard the Lionhearted **looks better** and more like a medieval king if you do like the king. Medieval styles though the only difference in a king and a peasant is the colors and the jewels tied into the hemline.

And to make matters worse--medieval clothing styles are expensive. Sorry I know these are not the answers you were wanting, but I've been waiting years to have enough to do a medieval outfit and havent had the money yet.

I'd recommend merging the king and the crusader.

Heres what I would do. Buy a renaissance shirt on ebay. "pirate shirt", "medieval", "chemise". Get one of those. There are tons and they are rather cheap. Tie his sleeves so that they puff appropriately ("pirate style") with a gold cord. Like the drapery ties. Hopefully thick enough to have the gold really show. Have him wear khakis or cargo pants, it doesn't really matter.

Then you have to make a shield. Cardboard is the easiest but you can usually buy something a lil more durable like a plastic sword and sheild set at the store. It needs to be one of the taller ones instead of the circle shields though. And decorate it with lions. Richard's was 3 lions one on top of each other, but creative license is probably better. Like a really large lion and a heart. Most of the time should be on the shield cause thats how people are going to know who he is.

Perhaps a bag of gold coins, or a really huge necklace. Like the vampire necklaces. especially if you can find one that looks like the Knights of Templar cross.

A Burger King crown if they still make those (if not go grab one of the King crowns with the fur trim, even though its not very historically accurate) and you are set!

Answer 2

That first answer is awesome props to you! But here are some websites with good options.
http://www.costumecraze.com/RNSC13.html
http://www.buycostumes.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17464&PCatID=childcostumes&ccatid=childtimewarp
http://www.buycostumes.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=5994&PCatID=childcostumes&ccatid=childtimewarp
http://www.buycostumes.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=21861&PCatID=childcostumes&ccatid=childtimewarp