This is a modern buckle taken from a worn out belt and attached to a strip of leather to form a belt. This easily made belt works very well for people new to the SCA.
There are a number of resources that we have seen that state that many of the belts used in period were more narrow (less than 1 inch in width) so this belt is less representative.
Ring belts are popular at ren fairs and for newer members but may not be supported with much historical evidence. Many surviving buckles with tongues can be found from different time periods. A number of vendors cater to reenactors with different reproductions available online.
A tunic and an outer layer coat associated with Norse cultures. The front panels cross over each Simplified version of pants worn in many cultures and times periods from antiquity to the end of the SCA period
Description:
Wool coat lined with linen decorated with a tablet woven band. The coat is shown over a
One of the many variations of the pants seen in imagery from antiquity through to the end of the SCA period. There are many works of art that do represent people in a variety of pants. The garments can be documented and construction can be inferred in a variety of forms. Many examples of surviving extant fragments were of wool.
Variations in pants include how baggy the garments are, how long they are, how wide the waistline is and how the waist is cinched closed.
This example is for a basic SCA ‘pajama pant’ constructed from a medium cotton material with a drawstring closure for the waist. The pants are made in 2 parts with the seams sewn up the inside of either leg and then the legs are sewn together with one crotch seam. The top of the pants are folded over to form the channel for the drawstring. This version may be slightly tighter than how some people construct them.
Patterns are easily generated by laying an example of a normal pajama pants that fit the person on a folded pieces of paper.
Simplified version of pants worn in many cultures and times periods from antiquity to the end of the SCA period
Description:
One of the many variations of the pants seen in imagery from antiquity through to the end of the SCA period. There are many works of art that do represent people in a variety of pants. The garments can be documented and construction can be inferred in a variety of forms. Many examples of surviving extant fragments were of wool.
Variations in pants include how baggy the garments are, how long they are, how wide the waistline is and how the waist is cinched closed.
This example is for ‘pajama pants’ style pants with enclosed feet. Constructed from a medium cotton material with a drawstring closure for the waist. The pants are made in 2 parts with the seams sewn up the inside of either leg and then the legs are sewn together with one crotch seam. The top of the pants are folded over to form the channel for the drawstring. This version may be slightly tighter than how some people construct them.
Enclosing the feet allows for pants like this to be a simplified replacement for hosen, joined hosen or some of the other enclosed pants. Although probably an oversimplification, it is an easily constructed garment and can serve as a placeholder until one learns to ‘drape’ a pattern for hosen. Patterns are easily generated by laying an example of a normal pajama pants that fit the person on a folded pieces of paper. The pants are sewn long and the parts extending over the feet are pinned, resewn and trimmed until they fit. Care must be taken to leave the pants loose enough to pull over the feet.
Attempt to replicate one of the simple versions of commonly seen undergarments.
Description:
One of the many variations of the underwear seen in imagery from antiquity through to the end of the SCA period. A common and personal garment like underwear is less likely to survive or be well represented in documentation. There are many works of art that do represent people in undergarments and so the use of the garments can be documented and construction can be inferred. Undergarments would nearly be universally constructed from linen.
Of the different styles of braies they vary in length, in how they are held up or how much fabric is used in their construction (ie, how baggy they are). Use of braies is often one of the latter stages of refinement for SCA participants as they are rarely seen. Wearing Braies can take some getting used to as they tend to have more fabric bunched up then we are modernly use to.
This is an attempt to replicate one of the very basic ‘boxer short’ style braies. It is made from 2 pieces for either side and sewn together with a single center seam. The waistline is folded over to allow for a drawstring.
The example is made out of linen and using a shoestring for the drawstring.
Many illustrations of people from all levels of society survive showing people wearing undergarments but this example gives us insight to the construction technique. The historical use of braies by women is assumed by us and use by members of the SCA is common.
Inspiration Images
Common Materials
Fabrics:
linen
Effective Substitutions
Fabrics:
linen blends
Linen
wool
cotton
cotton blends
Ensemble Components
Underwear such as braies are seen through many time periods and cultures and so can be associated with many different ensembles
Accessories
Source/Links
Instructions for constructing braies like this are covered in books like Medieval Tailor’s Assistant, a very good book worth buying
Attempt to replicate one of the simple versions of commonly seen undergarments.
Description:
.
One of the many variations of the underwear seen in imagery from antiquity through to the end of the SCA period. A common and personal garment like underwear is less likely to survive or be well represented in documentation. There are many works of art that do represent people in undergarments and so the use of the garments can be documented and construction can be inferred. Undergarments would nearly be universally constructed from linen.
Of the different styles of braies they vary in length, in how they are held up or how much fabric is used in their construction (ie, how baggy they are). Use of braies is often one of the later stages of refinement for SCA participants as they are rarely seen. Wearing Braies can take some getting used to as they tend to have more fabric bunched up then we are modernly use to.
This is an attempt to replicate one of the very basic ‘boxer short’ style braies. It is made from 4 pieces, either leg is sewn up the leg and sewn together with a square crotch gusset as well as an attached waist band.
The example is made out of linen and the braies are held up by rolling the waist band over a separate belt or cord tied around the waist..
Many illustrations of people from all levels of society survive showing people wearing undergarments but this example gives us insight to the construction technique.
The historical use of braies by women is assumed by us and use by members of the SCA is common.
Inspiration Images
Common Materials
Fabrics:
linen
Effective Substitutions
Fabrics:
linen blends
Linen
wool
cotton
cotton blends
Ensemble Components
Underwear such as braies are seen through many time periods and cultures and so can be associated with many different ensembles
Accessories
Source/Links
Instructions for constructing braies like this are covered in books like Medieval Tailor’s Assistant, a very good book worth buying
Attempt to replicate one of the simple versions of commonly seen undergarments.
Description:
.
One of the many variations of the underwear seen in imagery from antiquity through to the end of the SCA period. A common and personal garment like underwear is less likely to survive or be well represented in documentation. There are many works of art that do represent people in undergarments and so the use of the garments can be documented and construction can be inferred. Undergarments would nearly be universally constructed from linen.
Of the different styles of braies they vary in length, in how they are held up or how much fabric is used in their construction (ie, how baggy they are). Use of braies is often one of the later stages of refinement for SCA participants as they are rarely seen. Wearing Braies can take some getting used to as they tend to have more fabric bunched up then we are modernly use to.
This is an attempt to replicate one of the very basic ‘boxer short’ style braies. It is made from 2 pieces for either side and sewn together with a single center seam. The waistline is folded over to allow for a drawstring.
The example is made out of linen and using a shoestring for the drawstring.
Many illustrations of people from all levels of society survive showing people wearing undergarments but this example gives us insight to the construction technique. The historical use of braies by women is assumed by us and use by members of the SCA is common.
Inspiration Images
Common Materials
Fabrics:
linen
Effective Substitutions
Fabrics:
linen blends
Linen
wool
cotton
cotton blends
Ensemble Components
Underwear such as braies are seen through many time periods and cultures and so can be associated with many different ensembles
Accessories
Source/Links
Instructions for constructing braies like this are covered in books like Medieval Tailor’s Assistant, a very good book worth buying
Attempt to replicate one of the simple versions of commonly seen undergarments.
Description:
Many illustrations of people from all levels of society survive showing people wearing
One of the many variations of the underwear seen in imagery from antiquity through to the end of the SCA period. A common and personal garment like underwear is less likely to survive or be well represented in documentation. There are many works of art that do represent people in undergarments and so the use of the garments can be documented and construction can be inferred. Undergarments would nearly be universally constructed from linen.
Of the different styles of braies they vary in length, in how they are held up or how much fabric is used in their construction (ie, how baggy they are). Use of braies is often one of the later stages of refinement for SCA participants as they are rarely seen. Wearing Braies can take some getting used to as they tend to have more fabric bunched up then we are modernly use to.
This is an attempt to replicate one of the very basic ‘boxer short’ style braies. It is made from 3 pieces, either leg is sewn up the leg and sewn together with a central panel between either side. The waistline is folded over to allow for a drawstring.
The example is made out of linen and using a shoestring for the drawstring.
The historical use of braies by women is assumed by us and use by members of the SCA is common.
.
Inspiration Images
Common Materials
Fabrics:
linen
Effective Substitutions
Fabrics:
linen blends
Linen
wool
cotton
cotton blends
Ensemble Components
Underwear such as braies are seen through many time periods and cultures and so can be associated with many different ensembles
Accessories
Source/Links
Instructions for constructing braies like this are covered in books like Medieval Tailor’s Assistant, a very good book worth buying
Attempt to replicate one of the simple versions of commonly seen undergarments.
Description:
Many illustrations of people from all levels of society survive showing people wearing
One of the many variations of the underwear seen in imagery from antiquity through to the end of the SCA period. A common and personal garment like underwear is less likely to survive or be well represented in documentation. There are many works of art that do represent people in undergarments and so the use of the garments can be documented and construction can be inferred. Undergarments would nearly be universally constructed from linen.
Of the different styles of braies they vary in length, in how they are held up or how much fabric is used in their construction (ie, how baggy they are). Use of braies is often one of the later stages of refinement for SCA participants as they are rarely seen. Wearing Braies can take some getting used to as they tend to have more fabric bunched up then we are modernly use to.
This is an attempt to replicate one of the very basic ‘boxer short’ style braies. It is made from 5 pieces, either leg is sewn up the leg and sewn together with a central panel made from a front and back panel as well as bottom gusset. The waistline is folded over to allow for a drawstring.
The example is made out of linen and using a shoestring for the drawstring.
The historical use of braies by women is assumed by us and use by members of the SCA is common.
.
Inspiration Images
Common Materials
Fabrics:
linen
Effective Substitutions
Fabrics:
linen blends
Linen
wool
cotton
cotton blends
Ensemble Components
Underwear such as braies are seen through many time periods and cultures and so can be associated with many different ensembles
Accessories
Source/Links
Instructions for constructing braies like this are covered in books like Medieval Tailor’s Assistant, a very good book worth buying
This basic garment, sometimes called an ionic chiton, could work for either a Grecian chiton or a lower class roman tunica. Two pieces of fabric sewn at the sides and tacked at the sleeves.
Description:
These are light and cool and fast to make. The chiton is very much like a tunic. There are versions done with a single piece of fabric folded and tacked along to the top in a number of places or it can be done as two large rectangles of fabric that are sewn down the sides and tacked a few places along the top. Using a rope it can be cinched in at the waist. The palla can just be wrapped around and held. Sandals that work to complete the outfit can be found in modern shoe stores. Romans also had a variety of jewelry that can be made or purchased from retailers selling recreations or by modifying some modern costume jewelry.
There is a distinct variation between the Doric and Ionic chitons, as well as the roman woman’s tunic, it will not be entered into here but all of the dresses serve as easy and fast warm weather garb.
Further distinctions can be made between earlier Greek and later Roman clothing. It will not be discussed here.
Inspiration Images
Common Materials
Fabrics:
Wool
linen
silk.
The wools used would have been very fine wools that are sometimes hard to find now.
Ornamentation:
Effective Substitutions
Fabrics:
Avoid polyester, polyester blends.
Linen
linen blends
cotton
The cotton broadcloths (the cheap cottons that fill Walmart and the quilting fabric stores) are weak fabrics that don’t last long and never look quite right. They never drape and lay the way the period images show.
silk
silk like poly will be uncomfortable in the heat.
Ornamentation:
Ensemble Components
Chiton/Tunic
Palla
belt or cording
sandals
jewelry
Stola
Accessories
“Roman” sandals are still sold today and work for starter garb.
Belts can range from ropes to modern fashion chain belts.
Many examples of roman jewelry are not complex and can be made easily. There are some styles that look very similar to modern costume jewelry.
SCA Iowa Garb Guide 