Brigandine

A pair of brigandines (brigandine for short) is a form of armour worn frequently by soldiers and sometimes by nobility during the 15th and by all ranks during the 16th century. Consisting of metal plates sandwhiched between layers of fabric or leather. Brigandines usually cover just the torso and lack sleeves. They are of two piece construction joined by buckles.

Brigandines might be worn over mail by some soldiers and were also worn by those that could afford better when they were travelling but still expected themselves to be in some danger, put not actually going into battle.

They are believed by many to be an evolution of a pair of plates.