Driving down a dusty road, wasn’t sure what to expect when we approached Beachview Farms: the site of this year’s Whidbey Ren Faire. The other day I spontaneously decided to attend the last few hours to help out with the Island Shakespeare Festival booth and I’m SO glad I did. If it’s anything like other festivals I’ve been to, then the majestic “festival fashion” was sure to capture my gaze.

This year’s Whidbey Island Renaissance Faire transported attendees into a sartorial storybook, blending folklore with festival fashion in a celebration of all things medieval. From knights in chainmail tunics to faeries dripping in glitter, the event was paradise for LARPers and cosplayers. With twill mantles flowing in the breeze and tiaras catching the sunlight (is that Princess Zelda?!) the fair delivered a spectacle of style that was equal parts nostalgic and magical.

The festival grounds buzzed with the clink of girdles and belts adorned with chains and gipsers, as revelers traded trinkets and sipped cider while exploring an array of artisan booths. The regal level of showmanship encapsulated the Middle Ages perfectly with jousting, bow-and-arrow workshops, blacksmith forges showcasing medieval craftsmanship to life, while elf ears, Phrygian caps, and MUSHROOMS made appearances on nearly every head.

The highlight? A parade of meticulously styled ensembles that looked plucked straight from Tom Cruise’s early work in Legend—petticoats layered under brocade surcoats, corsets cinched to perfection, and hoods lined with silk. Archery contests and sword fighting set the stage for some truly dynamic costume moments, proving that medieval fashion can be as functional as it is regal.

A Fashionable Step Through Time

Already, whispers of next year’s event promise even more enchantment. With plans to expand the trinket trading marketplace and incorporate additional themed workshops like potion brewing and folklore storytelling, the Whidbey Island Ren Faire continues to cement its reputation as a must-attend event for style and fantasy lovers alike. Mark your calendars and start planning your next velvet-cloaked, belt-clad tunic—it’s never too early to step into the past. Que the The Legend of Zelda music score!