Medieval Attire

So, you have decided that you want to attend the faire and you “don’t have a THING to wear”! There is much information to be found through internet searches and there are many places to purchase your garb. We have gathered some very basic information as well as some simple and inexpensive ways to create your own garb. We do recommend that if you doubt your skills to make a paper pattern first or use inexpensive fabric. We hope we have helped you in your plight!

Clothes – a bit of history

Clothes of the period had no collars, no zippers, no buttons, no cuffs, and no darts. Necklines were round, square, low round, split with laces, or sweetheart. You can make your garb out of plain cotton, broadcloth, muslin, poly/cotton, linen/cotton muslin, or lightweight wool. Keep in mind when you pick out your fabric that you will have a better drape with a natural fiber fabric, this will make a huge difference in how your medieval clothing looks when it is completed. For the purposes of the patterns that we have here, use muted earth tones such as greens, browns, blues, tans, grays, and blacks, stay away from prints. The brighter colors were expensive and used only for trim or for the wealthy.

Ideas for converting existing clothing into period appropriate clothes:

Take a pair of sweat pants and a sweatshirt in the appropriate colors, cut off the bottoms of the legs, sleeves and the top; you want to make them look jagged, as if you had ripped the cloth. Cut the neckline to resemble the other cuts. This usually looks best when the clothes are just a bit larger than what you would normally wear. Remember, you want to look rugged. Sweat pants and sweatshirts can usually be purchased at thrift shops for very little. Turn your sweats inside out (yes, you wear them that way), throw on a rope belt and you are good to go!
Purchase a broomstick skirt at a thrift store and top it off with a tunic top.

Tunic Pattern Cape Pattern Cloak Pattern

Shoes

Shoes can make or break an outfit. Men and women both wore simple, black, brown, or tan shoes. Modern day shoes that can be worn are boots with square or rounded toes (no cowboy boots), moccasins minus the fringe, slip-on bedroom slippers (no exposed sheepskin lining), ballet shoes, Mary Jane type black flats, or Birkenstock type sandals. Remember, no bright or shiny colors, and no patterns on the shoes. You may also make your own shoes out of leather or heavy material.

Shoe Pattern

Accessories, you MUST have accessories to finish off the look!

Men, you need a simple belt (leather, woven, rope, ribbon, or drapery cord), a belt pouch or drawstring bag (that fits on your belt), knives in scabbards (worn on belts), a staff (large, unique shaped stick), you may also want a cape. A heavy goblet carried on a thong about your neck is a good touch. Take a wide, bright colored ribbon and wrap it around your ankles and up your leg to your knee (see photo). Women, you will also want a belt, and belt pouch or drawstring bag. You may also want small bells to be worn on your belt or ponytail, a hair net (heavy colored kind), and jewelry (crosses, rings, earrings, necklaces) made of simple wood, gold, silver, jade, tiger eye, copper, or brass.

Headwear

Acceptable headwear can be Robin Hood/Maid Marian hats, Jester hoods, Mob caps, English/French caps, wide brimmed straw has with a round crown (gardening type) wide brimmed felt hat with one side pinned up (three musketeer style), veils with cloth, leather or ribbon headband around head, a towel-type turban made of muslin (for women, like after a shower), or a coif (worn by men and women). False ponytails and long wigs are fine if you are so inclined.

Robin Hood Hat Pattern Coif Pattern

PVC Chainmail

This is for the adventurous person who would like the look without the cost and weight of traditional chainmail. While researching chainmail, we found that with some effort the look of chainmail could be achieved using some spray paint and PVC pipe. For more information on the patterns, the pipe, and the weave, follow this link.