spitballing: SCA/16th c. wardrobe

[anotheranon]

Part of my lack of involvement in the SCA is what I perceive to be my limited wardrobe (icon notwithstanding). My creations have been based on whim rather than much planning, which is why when I went through everything last year I was surprised to realize that I had 4 partlets but only 1 chemise :P

I've rectified this somewhat (lots of white linen ~18 months ago = a couple more chemises/shirts) but I still think things are woefully incomplete. Doubly so because I want to have both women's and men's garb.

Local SCA friend D. forwarded me this Pennsic wardrobe cheat sheet (PDF, p. 23) and it's helped me impose a little order on my future planning. Here's what I'm thinking:

New kirtle (side lacer to replace the current one, the first I made that is a back-lacer and impossible to put on by myself)

Doublet with separate sleeves that themselves button/aiglet/something closed at the seam - I'm thinking functional for both men's and women's garb and hot/cold weather

Flat cap (also suitable for men's/women's)

Cut hose (ditto)

Apron

Head rail (one I have now is heavy weight and pieced - doesn't stay put well).

Note, I'm not aiming for a particular time/place with these, just generic 16th century so I have a "wardrobe" of sorts instead of the One Flashy Things that are so tempting to make but impractical to wear in most situations :P

Thoughts, constructive criticism appreciated.

Comments

[belfebe.livejournal.com]

It is definitely a good plan. Doing "flashy" correctly is costly, time-consuming, and not that practical. (I won't wear the Valois dress anywhere that it's not about 20 minutes away from where I can change.)

Besides, you can have a really good middle or low class wardrobe that looks like real clothing, rather than 1 gown that you will wear maybe once a year. (And there's a lot of bad "high class" out there!)