Costumes and Larp dresses
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
LARP dresses and fantasy costumes for women
A LARP dress or fantasy costume doesn’t have to be historically accurate – it must fit well, look good and withstand hours of wear. Whether at a LARP event, a medieval fair or a fancy dress party: this category brings together over 200 dresses that prioritise appearance, comfort and character expression. Romantic bordered dresses, figure-hugging lace-up styles with back lacing, hooded dresses in contrasting colours and elegant velvet dresses in the Cotehardie style together form a wide selection from which any character can be created – without having to compromise between appearance and practicality.
LARP costume or fantasy dress – what’s the difference?
Anyone browsing this category will encounter two related but not identical terms. Both describe dresses made for live-action settings – yet their purpose and scope differ subtly.
- Freedom of movement and durability are the top priorities
- Lacing allows for a custom fit
- No claim to historical accuracy
- Typical: Aurora series, laced models in black/red or black/green
- Ideal for multi-day events such as Drachenfest or Conquest of Mythodea
- Romantic medieval look takes centre stage
- Inspired by medieval films and fairy-tale worlds, no historical basis
- Wide range of colours, often with borders and a hood
- Typical: Eleanor series with decorative trims and hood
- Equally suitable for markets, conventions, carnivals and fancy dress parties
Both styles are clearly distinct from historical re-enactment attire: those active in the re-enactment scene value linen or wool, verifiable patterns and handcrafted production. For LARP and medieval markets, the following applies: the look may be imaginative, but the character takes centre stage.
Clothing types in this category: from petticoats to cotehardies
The selection includes several clearly distinguishable types of clothing, each of which is suited to different occasions and character roles:
Undergarment & short-sleeved dress
The underskirt forms the basis of many layering combinations. Short-sleeved dresses with simple lacing at the front are popular as a starter option – easy to put on, low-maintenance and available in many colours. Combines well with medieval skirts or bodices.
Long-sleeved & hooded dress
Long-sleeved dresses such as the Eleanor series with an integrated hood create a distinct look through their trimmings and two-tone colour scheme. The hood makes them weatherproof and gives the overall appearance a distinctively medieval-romantic style. Decorative trims at the sleeve hem and neckline are typical design features.
Cotehardie
The cotehardie is a figure-hugging dress with long sleeves, based on late medieval designs. The Isabell series, made from velvet, features a luxurious feel and a figure-hugging cut. It is the most sophisticated piece in the category – visually a cut above simple market attire.
Materials: What’s behind the choice on the shelf?
The material determines how a dress feels after three hours at a summer market or a multi-day event. The differences between the fabrics used are clearly noticeable in everyday wear.
| Material | Suitability | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 100% cotton | LARP / Market | Breathable, easy-care, comfortable for long periods of wear – the dominant material with over 50 items in the category |
| Velvet | Cotehardie / Evento | Soft to the touch, elegant appearance; used in the Isabell range – higher-priced segment from approx. €100 |
| Synthetic / Blended fabrics | Entry-level | Cheaper to produce, but noticeably less comfortable than natural fibres when worn outdoors in hot weather |
The in-house brand Vehi Mercatus relies exclusively on natural fibres – cotton, linen, wool – and has fabrics manufactured in weaving mills to its own specifications. This is not the norm in the sector, but an active decision against mass-produced goods. Even the trimmings are manufactured to our own specifications, rather than being purchased from third parties.
Price ranges at a glance: Entry-level to velvet dress
The Eleanor and Aurora ranges offer simple cotton dresses with lacing in a wide selection of colours. Ideal as a first LARP dress or for the occasional market visit – quick to put together, easy to care for.
Models such as Dorothee or Ennlin feature more intricate detailing: trimmings, petticoat combinations and more elaborate cuts make them the first choice for regular market visits or when you want a more polished look than an entry-level piece can offer.
The Isabell Cotehardie in velvet is the most sophisticated dress in the category: historically inspired cut, velvet fabric, long sleeves. For character portrayals where the dress itself is meant to make an impression.
Which dress suits which occasion?
At multi-day LARP events such as Drachenfest, freedom of movement and durability are key. Form-fitting lace-up styles made from 100% cotton – for example, the Aurora series in black/red or black/green – prove their worth here, as the fabric is breathable and the lacing allows for a custom fit. For character-intensive roles, the Cotehardie is well worth a look.
Romantic styles with borders and hoods are particularly well-suited for market visits: they blend in well with the surroundings, are comfortable to wear and stand out positively in the wide colour range (brown/natural white, green/natural white, red/black). The Eleanor series covers this range very well.
Medieval dresses work excellently as carnival costumes – no complex accessories required, no hassle getting dressed. A dress from the Eleanor range is enough on its own to create a convincing look. Anyone specifically looking for a medieval costume for carnival will find styles in this category that look like a complete costume even without additional accessories.
Dresses with dramatic colour contrasts are particularly well-suited for Halloween or themed costume parties: black and red or black and green create a dark, mystical effect without any extra effort. For a Halloween costume with a stronger focus on dark characters, the Cotehardie Isabell in black or green works well.
Combining: The dress as the starting point for a complete outfit
A dress on its own does not make a complete LARP or market outfit. The classic layering approach starts with an underskirt worn beneath the main dress, peeking out at the sleeves or neckline – this adds depth to the look and makes it appear less one-piece. For colder evenings at the market or event, a medieval cloak or coat that can be quickly draped over the shoulders is recommended.
A matching belt is both functional and visually essential: it emphasises the waist, gives the dress structure and allows you to attach a belt pouch for small items. LARP shoes or medieval shoes complete the ensemble at the bottom. If you want to refine the look even further, opt for hair accessories or simple medieval jewellery – even small details such as a brooch or a headband noticeably alter the overall effect.
Whether it’s your first LARP dress, a romantic medieval dress for your next market visit, or an elegant cotehardie for a more elaborate costume – this category features over 200 dresses in various styles, materials and price ranges. Browse through the selection and find your next outfit.
Frequently asked questions
A LARP dress focuses on appearance, freedom of movement and comfort – historical accuracy is not a factor. Historical medieval attire for re-enactment, on the other hand, is strictly based on archaeological finds, paintings and written sources: linen or wool as fabric, verifiable patterns and often handcrafted production. For medieval markets, fantasy events and carnival, the LARP dress is the simpler and more affordable choice.
For beginners, we recommend simple cotton dresses from the lower price range – for example, the Eleanor series or the Aurora series, priced between €34 and €42. They are easy to care for, breathable, feature lacing for a custom fit and are available in several colours. Combined with a simple belt, the outfit is complete.
Yes, many dresses in this category are perfectly suitable as Carnival or Halloween costumes. Models with hoods and trims in particular look complete as a single piece, without the need for further accessories. For Halloween, colour combinations such as black and red or black and green are ideal – they create a dark, mystical effect without any extra effort.
Most dresses are available in sizes S to XXL. As sizing may vary depending on the manufacturer, we strongly recommend consulting the size chart on the relevant product page. Measurements are usually taken for bust, waist and hip circumference. If in doubt, our telephone advisory service can also help.
The cotehardie is a figure-hugging dress with long sleeves that was worn in the late Middle Ages of the 14th and early 15th centuries. In the Isabell series, made from velvet, this historically inspired cut is combined with a luxurious feel. It is suitable for wearers who wish to make a more striking, elegant impression at events or at the medieval market – and are prepared to invest a little more for it (from approx. €100).