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

[ladyaelfwynn.livejournal.com]

The majority of my SCA is is mix and match. All of my late period shifts can be worn with any of my bodices and skirst. My under-tunics can be worn with my over-tunics or viking jumpers. All of my Middle Eastern is fairly interchangeable.

I don't have any spectacular garb because 1)it would get real old, real quick and 2) I'm usually busy doing something that would get fancy garb trashed.

I'm beginning to think about some nicer garb but don't know what I'd make that I'd really like for years.

[shemhazai.livejournal.com]

Ooh, this is all oustandingly fun to imagine! :)

I did a Pennsic Sewing Blitz the year before last. My goal was to come up with enough outfits/interchangeable pieces that I could go all war without a) smelling too period or b) doing the laundry.

My best friend? The Front Lacing Kirtle. Make one with a square neck and gathered skirt and you have standard 16th c. countrywoman. You can wear sleeves pinned to the shoulders and a partlet: great summer combo. Or you can slip a doublet or jerkin or cassock over it if you get too cold, and you're ready to go.

You can wear pretty much anything over it, as it does all the basic support needed.

You can make also make a reversible petticoat skirt and wear it over the kirtle along with a jacket or doublet.

You can make a front-lacing-kirtle with a rounded neck, cap sleeves and full circle skirt...and you have standard 15th c. countrywoman. Again, add pinned sleeves and a neckcloth, and voila.

Make a front-lacing kirtle with pleated skirt and round neck and long sleeves and put wide guards around the neck and bottom and down the front: Instant German.

Yes, the FLK is your friend...

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I hear you re: the "statement garb" - all that work to tire of it/wear it out really would suck :( Maybe some fancy accessories?

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I'm liking the sound of the FLK. And a reversible petticoat didn't even occur to me! Thanks for the tips!

[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!)