After spending some time around the SCA I can tell you that I have seen some great garb. I realize that our group is Belegarth but out of all the reenactment groups I have met with in my experience SCA people put the most effort into their costumes and personas. Below are a couple of photos I took at an SCA event just to show the detail and work that some have put into their look.
Garb can be one of your greatest costs but it doesn't have to be that way. Of course it is really up to each individual how much effort that they put into their look. I've seen people who have authentic costumes, camping gear and armor that must have taken them years to accumulate. On the other side of this extreme I have seen people who just come up with a couple of outfits that work and they focus on the fun of fighting. And that is just fine all we need to do is make an attempt. I'm going to give you a few tips on how you can come up with some basic garb at bargain prices.
First stop visit the second hand stores. You know like good will and salvation army. These places are a treasure trove for a smart shopper. Look at the section that sells sheets and drapes. A lot of times you can find fabric with interesting medieval style designs that can be easily converted into a tunic. For a beggar look find plain cotton shirts with no markings, cut off the hem around the neck and off the sleeves. Maybe even put a tear or two in the shirt to make it look more ragged. Martial arts pants, Pajama bottoms, and sweat pants without elastic in the bottom work well for garb pants and they are inexpensive. I have even found old halloween costumes, martial arts uniforms, and old fur coats in Goodwill that can be converted to make great costume additions. If you are looking to actually cultivate a look from a time period here are a few tips.
Style
Era
|
Women
|
Men
|
Roman
|
Tunica, Stroticum (Breast binding), Stolla
optional, Palla, & Sandals
|
Tunic, Cloak, Sandals
|
Access.
|
Many thin bracelets, broaches to close
tunica, simple rings
|
Broach to close cloak
|
Viking
|
Tunic, Apron dress, hood (or not), coat
|
Tunic & Pants
|
Access.
|
Beads, metal bracelet, matching broaches to
close apron
|
broach
|
12th C.
|
Bliat (angel wing dress), veil with barbette
& filets
|
Tunic, underwear, tie on hose
|
Access.
|
Long belt, simple rings, pins
|
broach
|
13th C.
|
Tunic, Overtunic, veil over barbette
|
Long Tunic, tie on hose, hanging sleeve gown
|
Access.
|
Simple rings, pins
|
broach
|
14th C.
|
LS Fitted Dress – 2nd layer. Plain dress or
Sideless surcote or overdress w/tippets,
hood/head wrap
|
Fitted Cote, overcote with tippets, long underwear,
tie on hose
|
Access.
|
Rings, plaque belt
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Decorative broach, rings
|
15th C
|
Fitted Dress, V-Neck Gown (later) or
Houppelande, hood or fancy hat
|
Doublet, Gown, Full hose
|
Access.
|
Rings, necklaces,
|
Decorative broach, rings, paternoster, paternoster
|
16th C
|
Doublet, skirt, ruff, partlet
|
Doublet, Jerkin, Breeches, knee hose
|
Access.
|
Teardrop and animal shaped pins, pearls,
top hat styles, French hoods
|
Pearl accessories, decorative broach, rings, purse
|
my thanks to http://www.historiclife.com/pdf/newcomers_clothing_073108.pdf for the chart. Also visit her site for more tips on garb, patterns, and sewing tips.
Second hand stores can be a good place to look for other additions to your medieval persona. I've found wooden plates, goblets, canvas tarps, antique, etc. just looking around the places. It is really just a matter of what you are looking for and a little imagination. Anything to enhance your experience and make Belegarth more fun. Other great places to look are yard sales, antique shops, flea markets, and of course on line.
One way to look at garb that I like is the basketball analogy. Think of joining Belegarth like joining a basketball team. Many teams require that the players purchase a team Jersey and proper basketball shoes so that they can play. While it is true that a person can play basketball in their yard without purchasing the team jersey and shoes they will not have the same experience that they get from playing on a team. It is just part of the experience but if you follow my advice it is a part of the experience that doesn't have to bust your budget.
Hope to see you on the field.
Thorne the mercenary
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