Jester costumes

The time-honored Medieval entertainer par excellence: Often referred to as a Court Jester, (derived from the Old English "jest", or "to joke") they also often bore the title of buffoon, joker, fool, and sometimes even labeled a "licensed fool". Jesters were popular in ancient and Medieval courts as a monarch's personal clown. They poked fun of courtiers and often times even the royals themselves, and were able to get away with a lot owing to the popular belief that the majority of them were clinically insane. Aside from jokes and puns, the jester frequently entertained by juggling, storytelling, singing, and performing feats of physical comedy.

Typical Jester garb included a flamboyantly colored tunic, typically adorned with bells, and often topped off with an eccentric hat, as our Adult Jester Plus Size Costume demonstrates. Even though the tradition of Jesters fell out of style in Europe sometime after 17th century, Jester Halloween Costumes remain commonplace and popular dress-up choices. Medieval and Renaissance fairs and historical reenactments will often feature comical and clumsy Jesters to provide entertainment for the crowds.

Jesters also took on a somewhat sinister twist in contemporary popular culture, as you can see by our terrifying Evil Jester Adult Costume and Psycho Clown Movie Adult Costume!

Jester Costumes are also quite popular during Mardi Gras parades and festivities, where they are better known as "Harlequins". Even though the tradition of the "licensed fool" is long gone, a spirited (or devilish) Jester Costume helps remind us of one absolute truth: Life is ridiculous - may as well laugh at it!