As a part of our recreation, we wear clothing derived from historical styles known as garb. This garb can vary from faithful recreation of specific items of clothing based on paintings and archaeological finds, to taking the style of specific forms of clothing to creating our own variations, using our own heraldic colours and available materials to create the feeling that we are living in centuries past. Whilst you can see garb in many forms from all cultures pre-1600, members of Phoenix Rise largely wear Viking and Crusader era garb, with some also wearing later period English and Italian styles.
This page has been broken up into the work of group members with completed items and progress shots of garb being made, and general helpful links for making your own.
A sideless surcoat from the fourteenth century, showing the group heraldry
Ludewicus' garb made for serving in the royal household of Gilbert I and Bethony I, AS L-LI
Completed top
Getting the right fit
Looking swish
The intended look, from "Lady with a Unicorn," Raphael, c. 1505, Oil on wood, 65 x 51 cm, Galleria Borghese, Rome.
A mock-up pattern of the bodice, before cutting out the base layer of the real one
The bodice pieces cutout, ready for boning and construction
The skirt ready to attach to the bodice, with the pleats already put in
The torso cut out
Gores to go in from the waist
The dress waiting on sleeves, lacing and the decorative neckline
Lining the sleeves using off cuts
The sleeve ready to attach
Almost done, now for the lacing and neckline decoration
The Medieval Tailor's Assistant
Simple Viking Clothing for Men
Phoenix Rise