The Brass Coast costumes

Look and Feel

Extract from the relevant art brief – expanded into specific costuming ideas

Colours (with images), fabrics, etc

Similar nations

Compare it to other nations with overlaps and discuss how to differentiate

Research

Historical/cultural inspiration (and how the nation differs/adheres to it), films, books, tv, google search terms

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

Freeborn society is completely gender blind and their clothing should reflect this, with men and women wearing much the same clothes and jewellery. Generally, an outfit will consist of trousers, top, a robe of some sort and a head dress. Clothing is usually worn loose with layers of draped material will often be ornate and decorated with shiny metal jewellery, bells, coins and other jingly bits. Trousers are loose and flowing, and generally gathered into the ankle. They can be open at the sides to reveal part or all of the leg, or closed and can be of various designs, resembling harem pants, or Indian shalwar trousers. The tunic top is very commonly worn over the trousers, and falls anywhere from the hip to the calf. Again, the Indian kameez outfit for men and women is a good model to start from. Some may wish to wear short, midriff revealing tops, like the Choli, popular with belly dancers. Coin bras and other, similar belly dancing costumes aren’t generally recommended for the Freeborn, however. Closed robes can be worn instead of or on top of a tunic, and should be loose and flowing to the ankle. These could have long flowing sleeves, or be sleeveless to show off the tunic underneath. This garment is based on either the traditional kaftan, or the thobe, but should be brightly coloured and highly decorated as in North Africa and not the plain white robe worn in the Middle East. Open robes are another possibility to layer over a tunic, or even long robes and a chance to add another colour and more decoration to your outfit. In place of robes, fabric can be pinned at the shoulders and either left hanging, or be belted to the body.

Belts should be fabric sashes rather than leather, and can be tied and left long and hanging to the front or side

The preferred Brass Coast headdress is the tagelmust (preferably in bright red, orange or yellow rather than blue) or other veils, scarves, and head-wraps. Veils are worn by both men and women to make them appear more mysterious and alluring, and to frame the eyes or face attractively. Jewellery is very common with the best pieces, like necklaces, crowns or tiaras, also designed to frame the wearers face or the hands. Ideally scabbards or pouches should hang at the waist by a silk cord that goes over the shoulder. Any tattoos should be highly intricate, henna-style.

Armour

Scale is the ideal armour, ideally in a bright golden colour. Chain in the “jannissary” style, particularly the chain helmets, is also great. Small pieces of plate or breastplates are also good especially if ornate and inlaid. Leather armour is common, either magnificently tooled or used to hold pieces of metal armour in place.

Armour, whether metal or leather, should have embellished edges and rich decoration, with calligraphy and ornate designs. Shields

Golden scale is the ideal armour, worn like mail or else secured with leather.

Mail worn in the “jannissary” style and armour reinforced with ornate metal or leather plates are both good.

Weapons

Round (ideally domed) metal shields, highly decorated if possible. Weapons

Scimitars are less common than straight swords and axes. The Bhuj, a large heavy single-bladed spear, is the ideal pole-arm. The best quality weapons are intricately etched and engraved.

Scimitars are not common, most Freeborn prefer an axe or straight sword. Weapons should ideally be inlaid and decorated with complex designs. The Indian “bhuj” is the favoured pole-arm.

The perfect Freeborn shield is a domed, round shield that is intricately decorated in gold.

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!