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.
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.
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
SCA Iowa Garb Guide 