I don't think anyone would complain if ya wore just woad ... I know I wouldn't

Ystyll is right. Our clan is very slothy and we like it that way.

Here's a link to some Irish outfits. (from some research I did for and ex-girlfriend, note EX!)

www.mistythicket.com/womens/outfits.html

Possibly heavier stuff. But, if you want light and bawdy, try checking out Ask Wildcat and the photos of the Tuchux.

It's amazing what you can do with a few pieces of leather.

A sheet, a rope and a drinking mug and you are set for a good time. After that, it's just filler.

I believe there have been SCAdian Mayan personas in existence...Although only one comes to mind. I believe Sir Ix (eesh) ? Maybe that was another culture though...

Just remember, that like any organization, you get out of the SCA what you put into it.
If you are "here for the beer" then you will find that pretty much will sum up your experience in the SCA.
If you choose to research history and find out what "they really did in period" then you will find others interested in the same.

In any case, remember that if you are not having fun, you are not doing it right. Fun is defined differently by every person you will encounter. So are the words "Period", "Accurate", "Heavy", "Stuffy", and "persona."

Most beginning SCAdians pick a name they think is cool and clothing they can afford or "deal with" and spend as much time coming up with an excuse to wear the clothing and use the name as most "period police" do in researching their own "accurate" names and clothing.

Many stick with those first names and garb for years and are happy. Many others find they are learning more about history and what is "accurate" by osmosis if not true interest, so they tend to make their garb a bit better over time. Or they find something they REALLY enjoy and can really get excited about and get a bit (ok, some more than a bit) obsessed with their newfound interest in the SCA.

Personas are neither required or even useful in everyday interactions in the SCA. Most that create extensive personas do not interact with others according to their research anyway. There would be a LOT more body odor, serious fights, wars and genocide if they did. So, personas only serve one real purpose - to make you happy to have done research to create a person who could have lived in one of the cultures in existance during the SCA period of history. How detailed you get with that is entirely up to you.

And if you want revealing clothing, you don't have to go the Conan the Barbarian route. Look into Italian courtesan wear (not prostitutes...educated, cultured, companions who rarely had sex with clients), or early medieval (900-1000) period English where the styles were influenced by Greece and Rome and tended to be very tight and form-fitting. If you like silks and other fine (light) fabrics look into Mediteranean cultures.

As for naked.....not really accepted in most medieval cultures covered in the SCA period - especially for women.

But, follow the general rule of "If you like it, it looks generally medieval, and doesn't make people throw rotten food at you, then it is probably ok to wear to SCA functions." And as a dress maker, you should revel in the challenge some lady's wear will bring to you - not talking the 20-layer stuff, but just the thrill of making something that makes a woman look wonderful without looking slutty like modern fashion.