Clothing

Clothing refers to the garments worn by an individual for protection from the elements or for modesty.

Medieval clothing takes a variety of forms according to period and culture. The choice of fabric is important in getting something comfortable and with the right look. Just because some fabric was available in some place at some time in period, does not mean it was universally available. At different time in history, sumptuary laws were enacted although there is some evidence that this was not universally followed.

Clothing in the SCA

One of the few requirements of attendance at an SCA event is that you "attempt to wear pre-17th century clothing". In the SCA some use the term Garb to differentiate all forms of medieval clothing from modern clothing.

If you're a newbie you can arrange for someone, such as the hospitaller or gold key to lend you garb for your first few events until you have your own garb. It could be something as simple a t-tunic or as elaborate as an Elizabethan farthingale.

If you can't sew, you can always find plenty of people to help you. If you don't want to sew, you can always pay someone to make it for you, or offer whatever trade or skill you have in exchange for garb.

Other really simple items of garb you can make are pants, dress and skirts!

See also:

• Index of clothing styles
• Fashion
• Shoes
• underwear
• hats
• Early Period Dress (pre 1380)
• Gothic Dress (1300-1480)
• Late Period Dress (1480-end of SCA period)
• Viking Garb

External Links

• Atlantian A&S Links: Costume & Clothing - http://moas.atlantia.sca.org/wsnlinks/index.php?action=displaycat&catid=10
• A history of costume http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/7631/costume.html
• A Medieval Wardrobe, with costumes from the 5th-15th century http://www.gelfling.dds.nl/index.html