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Overcoming common clothing problems The same concerns about wearing proper medieval clothing at a stall or as a food vendor or as a musician or performer crop up again and again. This page will address the most common complaints about wearing medieval clothing and working in it. Medieval clothing is uncomfortable and not practical. I hate the big sleeves and dress lacing is too tight. I can't work like that! You're not expected to! That kind of clothing is all wrong for you. In the middle ages, both men and women wore looser fitting tunics and dresses that pulled on over the head and tightened at the waist with a long, thin belt. The armholes were a little roomier at the shoulders to permit workers full movement without restricting clothes. Shown at right is Mickey, wearing a plain white tunic with a shorter overtunic (or surcote) in a contrasting blue colour which still leaves the hands free for working. Think of those comfy kaftans of the 70s and you're heading in the right direction. You may like to lace your tunic up at the front but you certainly don't have to. Most of the basic working clothes was sewn up the front and back for warmth and practicality. If yu are lacing up, you must lace your garment entirely closed, not with the wide criss-cross lacing you might see in Disney movies. Big, wide sleeves were generally worn by nobility, which you are not. Your sleeves would be tighter fitting from the elbow to the wrist. I look and feel really stupid in a veil. Why should I wear one? Ladies, no decent woman would leave her hair uncovered in public! It was regarded as unseemly and shocking. Prostitutes wore their hair out to lure men and to hint at the goods they offered. Don't be mistaken for one of those! Your veil or headscarf will not only enhance your overall look, but will protect you from sunburn. Food vendors need something to tie your hair back with anyway to meet your workplace health and safety guidelines, so a veil or scarf is just perfect for that! Veil tying ideas can be found on the HEADWEAR page. You can wear a gold band around your head to keep it in place. This could be embroidered, metalwork or flowers! If you are determined not to wear one or are a man, try a hood. Or a felt hat. Something. I'm not wearing tights! Men, if the thought of fitted hose doesn't appeal to you (and heaven knows, it sure DOES appeal to the Ladies) try plain, fitted drawstring trousers which are much like pyjama bottoms or get a pain of inexpensive trackpants (with not stripes or logos) and have them taken in so they are snug on your legs and will tuck into your shoes. For the more adventurous, actual hose really isn't much more than that. Good colours which are not too hard to buy are black, navy, blue, green and red. Brown and burgundy and also great but can be a little tricky to purchase. Having an outfit made is really expensive. I'm on a budget here! Think back to that comfy 70's kaftan... made in a light linen blend in a nice colour, it'll cost less than you think. It only has two side seams for a very basic one. Spotlight sells cotton/linen blends in nice colours for about $8.99/m and you only need a couple of metres. You can probably make one yourself. Follow the easy patterns on the MAKING BASIC PATTERNS or the COMMERCIAL PATTERNS pages. If you like, you can add a wrap-around cloak and fasten it with a brooch. It's not much more than a rectangle. Simple and yet fantastic-looking! You can wear it year after year and it will last for a very long time. Be aware that the basic tunic will hang like a sack on a coathanger and even when you first put it on until you add your belt which pulls it into place. You might find a long, skinny, leather belt at an Op shop for only a few dollars.     VISIT OUR PARENT SITE Copyright © Rosalie Gilbert All text & photographs within this site are the property of Rosalie Gilbert unless stated. Artifact images remain the property of the owner. Images and text may not be copied and used without permission.

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