This is a narrow leather belt with preproduction buckle and tip purchased from an SCA merchant and the brass plaques are etched with various devices and batches associated with the owner
Low slip on shoes that are constructed from 2 pieces of leather. They are sewn inside out and then turned right side out, thus the common name of turn shoes. Shoes like these, in one form or another, have been used throughout the period covered by the SCA
This pair of shoes is decorated by having a pattern of holes punched into the leather before assembling the shoe. Shoes decorated with punch decorations have survived dating back to Roman times. Sets of shaped punches can be purchased online for not much and the punching of the leather adds less than an hour to the total construction time.
Inspiration Images
Common Materials
Fabrics:
Leather.
Ornamentation:
Effective Substitutions
Fabrics:
chrome tanned leather doesn’t shape and form that way oak tan/veg tan leather will.
Low slip on shoes that are constructed from 2 pieces of leather. They are sewn inside out and then turned right side out, thus the common name of turn shoes. Shoes like these, in one form or another, have been used throughout much of the period covered by the SCA.
This pair of shoes had a stiffening sole and tread glued to the shoe after construction. Although this is a modern consideration, it was done for additional comfort and safety for use at events. Accommodations like this are common in the SCA.
Inspiration Images
Common Materials
Fabrics:
Leather.
Ornamentation:
Effective Substitutions
Fabrics:
chrome tanned leather doesn’t shape and form that way oak tan/veg tan leather will.
Low slip on shoes that are constructed from 2 pieces of leather. This simplified shoe construction doesn’t require the shoe to be turned inside out after constructing and it looks much like a turn shoe when worn. Shoes like these, in one form or another, have been used throughout the period covered by the SCA
This pair of shoes is decorated by having a pattern of holes punched into the leather before assembling the shoe. Shoes decorated with punch decorations have survived dating back to Roman times. Sets of shaped punches can be purchased online for not much and the punching of the leather adds less than an hour to the total construction time.
This simplified construction technique doesn’t actually produce a turn shoe and can produce a shoe much like the turn shoe and can use chrome tanned leather.
Inspiration Images
Common Materials
Fabrics:
Leather.
Ornamentation:
Effective Substitutions
Fabrics:
This modification can work with chrome tanned leather. Oak tan/veg tan leather will work better.
Low slip on shoes that are constructed from 2 pieces of leather. This simplified shoe construction doesn’t require the shoe to be turned inside out after constructing and it looks much like a turn shoe when worn. Shoes like these, in one form or another, have been used throughout the period covered by the SCA
This pair of shoes had a stiffening sole and tread glued to the shoe after construction. Although this is a modern consideration, it was done for additional comfort and safety for use at events. Accommodations like this are common in the SCA.
Inspiration Images
Common Materials
Fabrics:
Leather.
Ornamentation:
Effective Substitutions
Fabrics:
chrome tanned leather can be used with this simplified shoe. Oak tan/veg tan leather will work better.
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.
This reproduction buckle is based an extant example dated to arround 1350 CE, but is very similar to many others from different time periods. It is available through several reputable vendors. It would be an example of a very inexpensive reproduction piece.
A loose tunic like garment with buttons at the neck and cuffs bloused over a belt. Extending from below the waste to below the knee with long sleeves.
Description:
This garment, or variations of it can be seen in many paintings and illustrations that cross over several regions and time frames. People from many stations in society use this functional garment, from laborers to merchants and higher. Varying slightly from its beginnings before 1100CE and fading in fashion for all but laborers late in period.
In general it is slightly more tailored tunic with the neck hole held closed by use of buttons rather than the earlier broaches. Buttons may just close the neck hole, extend part way down the chest or to the bottom of the garment. The cut is usually full producing a baggy garment belted at the waste and bloused over the belt. Some assign the length of the garment to station, with average workmen wearing it shorter to the more wealthy merchants wearing a longer garment.
Likely worn with an undershirt and in some cases a simple doublet as well as hosen or trews.
Sometimes underrepresented in the SCA, cotes can easily produce a medieval look with an easily constructed garment.
This example is a light loose parti colored cote with buttons down the whole length
Inspiration Images
Common Materials
Fabrics:
wool
linen
brocades
Ornamentation:
Effective Substitutions
Fabrics:
wool blends
linen blends
cottons
lighter weight upholstery fabrics that simulate period patterns
The very stylized and flamboyant dress style seen in the SCA related to the Saxony (German) and Swiss court gowns worn by the women who followed the Landsknecht mercenary forces. (May imply someone with a dubious occupation.)
Description:
Highly ornamented and fanciful takes on the German and Saxony court dresses worn by flamboyant camp followers living off the spoils of war. Landsknechts and their women were not constrained by (or ignored) some of the sumptuary laws governing what people can wear.
Many of the outer garments were made from wool. Contrasting color collars and cuffs, bight colors, rich fabrics. No two looking the same. Bodice laced shut exposing layers underneath. Some necklines are very wide creating garments nearly falling off the shoulders. Long and short sleeves are seen. Many garments ‘slashed’ to expose layers underneath sleeves
Roll pleated skirt which could be hiked up into the belt for ease of movement but also exposing their legs. Many illustrations also show stripes of fabric parallel to the hem line on the skirts. Patterned stockings are seen in some illustrations. “Cow mouth” shoes with a wide toe area.
Note on Names:
Cranach – last name or two painters associated with this style
Tross – the camp followers of the mercenaries
Trossfrau/kampfrau – (maybe) a modern name given to the ‘wives’ of the mercenaries
It’s cool but read up on the culture before deciding to make one.
Inspiration Images
Common Materials
Fabrics:
Wool main garments in bright colors, vivid patterns, rich fabrics added as trim.
Silks, velvets,
A lot of fabric to make the dresses.
Ornamentation:
Knitted stockings
linen undergarments
Effective Substitutions
Fabrics:
Some poly/cotton brocades to simulate the rich fabrics.
Wool blends are easier to find.
Linen blends and cottons for undergarments.
Very hard to make these dresses look right without investing in the right materials.
Ornamentation:
Ensemble Components
Gown – bodice and attached skirt
Placket over breasts
underdress
stockings
hats, including large, feathered hats
Accessories
Retailers catering to reenactors sell the cow mouth shoes and striped stockings in vibrant colors
The very stylized and flamboyant dress style seen in the SCA related to the Saxony (German) and Swiss court gowns worn by the women who followed the Landsknecht mercenary forces. (May imply someone with a dubious occupation.)
Description:
Highly ornamented and fanciful takes on the German and Saxony court dresses worn by flamboyant camp followers living off the spoils of war. Landsknechts and their women were not constrained by (or ignored) some of the sumptuary laws governing what people can wear.
Many of the outer garments were made from wool. Contrasting color collars and cuffs, bight colors, rich fabrics. No two looking the same. Bodice laced shut exposing layers underneath. Some necklines are very wide creating garments nearly falling off the shoulders. Long and short sleeves are seen. Many garments ‘slashed’ to expose layers underneath sleeves
Roll pleated skirt which could be hiked up into the belt for ease of movement but also exposing their legs. Many illustrations also show stripes of fabric parallel to the hem line on the skirts. Patterned stockings are seen in some illustrations. “Cow mouth” shoes with a wide toe area.
Note on Names:
Cranach – last name or two painters associated with this style
Tross – the camp followers of the mercenaries
Trossfrau/kampfrau – (maybe) a modern name given to the ‘wives’ of the mercenaries
It’s cool but read up on the culture before deciding to make one.
Inspiration Images
Common Materials
Fabrics:
Wool main garments in bright colors, vivid patterns, rich fabrics added as trim.
Silks, velvets,
A lot of fabric to make the dresses.
Ornamentation:
Knitted stockings
linen undergarments
Effective Substitutions
Fabrics:
Some poly/cotton brocades to simulate the rich fabrics.
Wool blends are easier to find.
Linen blends and cottons for undergarments.
Very hard to make these dresses look right without investing in the right materials.
Ornamentation:
Ensemble Components
Gown – bodice and attached skirt
Placket over breasts
underdress
stockings
hats, including large, feathered hats
Accessories
Retailers catering to reenactors sell the cow mouth shoes and striped stockings in vibrant colors
SCA Iowa Garb Guide 
