Wintermark costumes

Look and Feel

"civilian is another word for coward in the Wintermark" - women and men, young and old are always ready to protect their home, family and the empire. Costume should reflect this. Wealthy men may display their fortune in richer fabrics, decorative borders, beautiful armor and longer tunics but these things will not grant them respect. Similarly women may wear longer fuller skirts or tight fitting Kirtles but they should always be able to kill two orcs before breakfast whilst wearing them.

"they are perfectionists who value quality over mass production" - a group of Winterfolk are very unlikely to have a uniform or matching clothes.

"Wintermark art tends to be intricate and detailed" - add borders and trim to your tunics. This can be added to in between events to spread costs. Embroidery and beading may also be appropriate. Another idea might be to create or buy tooled leather 'patches' that you could add to plainer leather armor to build on its individuality and intricacy. If you are feeling arty, persuade a leather crafter to show you how to carve runes into your armor.

"the most common clothing for the Wintermark is a thigh length tunic over trousers" - all of the Winterfolk wear a version of this. Try several layers with varying sleeve and hem lengths. Women will wear the same as this or with a longer fuller tunic/dress. Wealthier women may also wear a kirtle or very simple form of the bliaut and corsage (see specifics section). More details on this are given later. Trousers are slim but not fitted, and normally wrapped with strips of cloth from ankle to knee. The differences between the three subcultures will be expressed in the way you adorn the basic costume. more details follow.

Suaq

Over their tunics the Suaq wear a hooded coat. In the cold north this would be made of thick animal pelts, fur side in. In warmer climates perhaps leather and in the imperial heartland in summer they may chose to wear linen or canvas versions. Base coat colors tend to be pale to blend with the icy landscape. Ice walkers may keep them plain for hunting and scouting but at home most chose to paint or embroider their coats with bright sigils - symbols of animals and enemies the warrior has killed. Shamans may chose to adorn their coats with fetishes in a similar way to Kalavessi mystics.

Kavalessi

The clothing of the Kavalessi tends to be a little more primitive and this is where some iron-age styles may be more appropriate. Clothes are a little rougher, unlikely to be tailored and colors will be more drab with occasional flasher of color. Instead of decorative borders they adorn their clothes with fetishes and feathers, beads and bones. Head dresses are central to their identity as an individual and as a member of the Kavella and a symbol of their wisdom, power or responsibility (I made this up). These are usually animal headdresses- either figuratively or literally as they believe it helps them draw on the animals strengths. Mystics usually chose animals associated with wisdom or guile while warriors favor strong animals like bears, boars and stags.

Steinr

Steinr clothing is most similar to the central look. They will have multiple layers of tunics and more decorative borders.

Similar nations

The Wintermark shares close trade connections with their neighbors in the Marches: with grain and wealth comes influences on fashion. Among those with the money to spend on decorative clothes more tailored fashions are seen, with women in kirtles laced closer at the waist and hips and longer hem lines.

The Wintermark's ancestral ties to Varushka (is this true? I thought i read it somewhere) can be seen in their similarities of costume. Both nations most commonly wrap their trousers to the knee although Varushkan baggy trousers are seen as rather flamboyant by Wintermarkers. Tunics of varying length and decoration are the staple of both nations. In the Wintermark theses are normally pulled on over the head but Varushkan styles are commonly open at the front and asymmetrical or diagonal-cut. The Wintermark do not share Varushka's love of mixing bright primary colors. Hats are common in Varushka but winter folk favor hoods. Men and women of the Wintermark are frugal and practical and are more likely to wear leather or fur layers or other materials that are hard-wearing and sensible for their harsh climate.

Practicality in clothes and armor is something the WinterFolk share with the Navarre. Their well used leather armor is often similar. Kavalessi mystics may also be occasionally mistaken for a Navarre blood Mage, however the latter do not wear animal headresses and do not believe in evoking animal spirits

Research

Historical inspiration: Saxon is the main historical influence but most things from the roman exit through to mid 13th century should be suitable as change is minor during this time. Try to avoid anything iconic of Vikings alone as this is not a key look for the Nation and the WinterFolk are neither seafarers nor raiders. Thor's hammer is a well recognized religious symbol that does not exist in Empire and should not be used. 'Viking' hero pants are more suited to Varushka. Iron age costume is also appropriate - particularly for the Kavalessi. Plaid can look good but be careful not to stray into the realms of tartan which is not acceptable. Kilts in any form did not exist in our own history until the Jacobean era and should not be worn.

Lord of the Rings Rohirrim

The armor of Rohan is perfect for the Steinr. Leather armor, sometimes with metal plate, is layered over chain and occasionally scale. Gimli's armor follows similar lines and is also appropriate. Theoden's clothes are a perfect example of a wealthy Wintermarker. Caution when copying Eowen's dresses as some of these are more typical of other nations. The white dress with corsage (tight vest laced at the back) is a great example of a wealthy woman's dress. However, the scoop-neck velvet green gown belongs in Dawn, the side-less surcoat perhaps in the marches and her funeral gown might be worn in Highguard.

(i have pictures for here)

Game of Thrones

The snow-coats of the wildlings are great for Suaq hunters and inspiration for the feel of the wintermark can be taken from the night's watch and Starks.

(i have pictures for here)

King Arthur 2004

Inspiration can be taken from the Saxons in this film. In general the Picts less suitable. Bors leather armor looks great and if layered over chain might be perfect. Tristan and Gawain's armor has the right feel but plate mail and brigandines are not central to the look.

(i have pictures for here)

Beowulf and Grendel 2005

(I need to write something but I havnt seen it yet)

Jade warrior

(I havnt seen this one yet either)

Skyrim

Skyrim successfully mixes fantasy with norse inspiration. In particular the norse layered leather armour would look excellent for the wintermark. The leather corsets worn by many of the women are not sufficient as armour and horned helmets should not be worn.

(I have pictures for here too)

In detail

Breakdown of each garment worn, typical layers and fabrics for each

links to patterns, shops, traders etc.

Good substitutions for each garment

Specifics

Costuming high, middle and low status character

Men/Women/children in each category?

What you can achieve at different price brackets? (thinking of doing something along the lines of the Odyssey £30 kit challenge maybe Daisy and Jude!)

Hats and outerwear

Examples, materials, patterns etc.

Bibliography

Both an online “would you like to know more!” and a guide to the amazing books you can get on amazon.

Nation specific garment

Possibly – if we can think of something suitable for each nation!