Sumptuary law

Sumptuary Law is a list of rules controlling what people of varying classes were and were not allowed to wear, as bits their social station. Medieval sumptary laws varied, and tended to become more elaborate as the period progressed. Dressing above one's station was a criminal office, and an assault on the rigid social order of feudalism.

Sumptuary Law in the SCA

The SCA has very few formal sumptuary laws. SCAdians can wear whatever garb they wish, with certain limitations. Only the Chivalry can wear a white belt or sash, only peers can wear the emblems of their order of peerage, only nobility can wear elaborate coronets, and it is very impolite to wear another's arms without leave.