Bëorian clothing includes long robes, dresses, breeches or leggings. Shawls, ponchos or other coverings and additional layers are not uncommon, especially in the colder months. Many Bëorians women and some men cover their hair in cold or dry weather and for ceremonial reasons.

Fur is used much more common by the Bëorians than either the Haladin, who use deer pelts but don’t usually use thicker fur, or the Hadorians (who use it for hats, parts of shoes, and occasional trimmings). In Ladros, rabbit and hare fur are the most common but elk, reindeer, or wild goats are used for clothes as well as coats, hats, shoes, blankets, and trimmings.

Color is very important in ceremonial clothing and dyeing is a significant trade among the Bëorians.

Red madder root, woad, dyer’s croton, common marigold, alder, dayflower, yellow chamomile and black mulberry are among some plants valued for dyes. Earthen and stone pigments are also used.

Red madder dyes are of particular significance to the Bëorians. The deep red color is used to dye sashes and headwear that is traditionally worn during formal occasions.

Solid colors and abstract patterns, many with cultural meaning, are much more common in Bëorian clothing than in Hadorian ones. Geographic patterns are some of the most common and storytelling through these is a practice. Some of these patterns are carried over by refugees but many are lost.

Morwen’s personal style is austere, elegant and simple. It’s very important to me that regardless of where she is, people find something off about her and I think this is at times also reflected in her manner of dress though often in ways other people can’t quite articulate. She wears a lot of shawls and long robes.

I specifically headcanon that Morwen refused to use Hadorian clothing designs whenever possible. The clothing she made, before and after her marriage, used Bëorian design and custom to the extent that it could. Her embroidery almost entirely follows Bëorians patterns.

Among the other horrors and atrocities Morwen was exposed to during the Bragollach, she also witnessed the taking of trophies from her kin who lay dead or dying, including braids, jewelry and other pieces. This memory stays with her forever and though she’d never acknowledge it, it’s one reason she dislikes wearing jewellery.

Post Nírnaeth, Morwen’s clothes become increasingly worn and patched. She uses Húrin’s clothes for herself and for Túrin and then Niënor, wearing them but also using them to mend and patch others.

Some smaller items are also traded. (I think a lot about trade and resources in post Nírnaeth Hithlum, both the underground trade and how resources are relegated in general but I will cut myself off here.

Many Bëorians in Hithlum had to relearn trades they had been doing their entire lives because of the differences in materials, processes and customs. As most had come with nothing, their clothing and possessions having been destroyed during the sudden flame, this was extremely disheartening and yet another aspect of the devastating losses of culture and customs.

As the climate of Hithlum is different from Ladros, red madder could no longer be used after the Bragollach among Bëorian refugees. The deep red it yields is also considerably less common among Hadorian clothing and customs, where alder is used to create red and orange shades.

I mentioned this on my post on Aerin and Hadorian fashion but Aerin at her unwilling wedding ceremony also has a tiny satchel of herbs Morwen gave her, sewn into an inner pocket. This includes several herbs Bëorian women wear around their weddings. Most are meant to be symbolic but the practical purposes including one used to intoxicate someone to the point where harm is more difficult, are more quietly known. She can’t use it often but she does on occasion. The little satchels are usually leather or plant based fibres like nettle.

These herbs, or a similar species, are still found in Hithlum though prior to the Nírnaeth, were not widely used.