#oh that would be SUCH a good smokkr alas

[rowenabean]

Thank you! I'm leaning towards the peplos or Viking outfit for reasons of both simplicity and number of layers (the peplos is VERY simple, and relatively lightweight - but I would do only a bodice underneath rather than full tunic!)

I'm contemplating going for linen everything, being somewhat ahistorical but both more accessible/cheaper and more temperature appropriate. I found an incredible rich green wool fabric last year which I was like ah! perfect for a repro outfit! and then remembered that the fair was in February, so. Not wearing that one. (It's lovely and soft and really on the thick end for garment sewing anyway - a very lightweight wool might work, if that was a fabric that existed in this century, alas. I did buy some to make myself a shawl for general usage though.)

I tried looking this up and then was like... why am I not asking the person who knows these things. So: any thoughts on or resources to help with something simple I could sew to wear at a medieval-themed market in 2 weeks time? Parameters are: likely to be hot, the crowd has a very low commitment to historical accuracy but I personally think it is more fun, and I am very confident around sewing and have plenty of time. I'll need to buy fabric but there's a sale so that's easy; I'm contemplating dying my own with gorse which was one of my favourite colours from my previous natural dying experiments (and is accurate). Where should I start?

AaaaAAAAAHHH this makes me so. Happy.

Below are a few possibilities from different eras so you can take your pick. Sorry my knowledge is pretty much limited to Britain.

Early Anglo-Saxon (400s-600s): basic tunic with a peplos overtop and cloth belt. Kilt pins make great fibulae. The trickiest part is learning to drape the peplos. Link with info.

Viking (800s-1000s): long sleeved gown with apron, cloth belt, and decorative beads. For hot weather I have seen someone make their gown without sleeves, which is probably not historically accurate but looks pretty awesome. Here's a link with lots of info.

Late Anglo-Saxon (600s-1000s): round-necked, long-sleeved undergown with a wider-necked, flared-sleeved overgown. Wide trim on the overgown neckline and hems. Wear with a low-slung belt, wimply drapy headdress, and brooches if you're rich. Link to get you started.

Gothic? I guess? (1300s-1400s): fitted gown with long sleeves and triangular panels to give the skirt fullness. Undergown is white with long sleeves; overgown is colored with sleeves of any length. A row of close-set buttons down the centre front looks very period. Hair should be braided, filleted and covered for a married woman, loose and uncovered for a young unmarried woman or a queen. Link to a sewing tutorial plus here are some contemporary depictions.

Materials are usually linen next to the skin and wool overtop, but you'll probably want a dupe. I find cotton flannellette can stand in for wool in a pinch. Colours are bright but not unnaturally so, since they were working with natural dyes (which you know all about. squee).

For shoes, I find something roughly moccasin-like works well for most eras. Also, if you are playing lower-class, a large round straw hat is usually perfectly accurate.

(I would love to see pictures of whatever you come up with if you're comfortable sharing!)