Medieval Paper Dolls: Early Medieval Period
Welcome back! Last week, we left Alun and Joyeuse in their underwear. Now, weâre taking a trip just slightly further back in timeâŚto the early medieval period. (Although these outfits could work for very, very late and provincial Antiquity, and for less fashion-forward people in the High Middle Ages or perhaps Byzantium, but weâll get to that in some future updateâŚ)
Between the fall of the Western Roman Empire and 1000, the common garment throughout Europe, transcending gender, social class, and even cleric versus laity, was a tunic. The tunic was a holdover from the Roman period, and its knee length made it a popular choice for those who worked in the fields or otherwise needed freedom of movement. Boots were the most common footwear, although simple flat shoesâalso known as turnshoesâwere equally common.Â
Wealthier (or simply less active and higher-status) men tended to wear longer tunics, and their hemlines could be from mid-calf to the floor. I paired turnshoes with Alunâs long tunic because I felt it looked nicer than the boots did; boots could be, and were, worn with long tunics. Especially if the weather called for it; after all, the âDark Agesâ didnât have very many functioning hypocausts.Â
No matter the social class, a manâs outfit was topped with a cape. The fabric and lining, as well as the presence and quality of fur, depended on the social class and funds of the wearer, the context the cape was worn in, and (of course) the weather. Shorter capes were worn by those who needed freedom of movement or who couldnât afford a good long cape. Regional styles of how capes were worn existed; for example, the Franks preferred long capes if at all possible.
Longer capes were worn for extra warmth, or to display the amount of money one could afford to spend on a cape. Especially if itâs made of costly fabric, or lined with fur.Â
Womenâs tunics were at the very minimum ankle-length; working women needed to avoid tangling their skirts in the plow, after all. Long sleeves were very popular, although sleeve fullness was dependent on social class. After all, Goody Joyeuse needs to be able to wash the dishes without ruining her clothes, while Lady Joyeuse doesnât do anything more straining than embroidery.
Noble women were able to wear much more impractical tunics, although floor-puddling skirts were reserved for the very wealthy. As with the male half, quantity and quality of fabric and richness of dye were what separated the ladies from the commoners. Applied trims could also differentiate between Lady Joyeuse, Duchess Joyeuse, and Goody Joyeuse; however, these were usually tablet-woven bands. Lace hadnât come into its own as a garment trim just yet.
In certain areas, a âcoat dressâ was worn over the tunic; this seemed to be most popular in Frankish territories, among the Alemanni and Bavarii, and (surprisingly enough) in East Kent. The broochesâ quality depended on the status of the wearer, of course. (A side noteâtunics throughout the medieval world, like the chemises beneath them, had keyhole necklines for ease of nursing; these were closed with either drawstrings, brooches, or pins.)
Of course, adult women were expected, if not required, to cover their hair in order to be considered modest. This is where wimples began to emerge, although they werenât as fancy as they became later in the medieval period. Instead, they were often depicted as one or more pieces of fabric simply wrapped and pinned around the wearerâs head and neck, rather similar to a hijab.
Other options included kerchiefs, headwraps, and caps. The amount of hair covered, and the rules for which women wore what sort of headcovering and when, varied from location to location.Â
When in doubt, pin your hair up and throw on a simple veil, and hope the Sims from the SCA arenât looking too closely at your choice in headgear. (Or Goody Crumplebottom.)
Now, go do some shopping!Â
Alunâs âTunicâ Top: @danjaley
Alunâs âTunicâ Bottom: The Sims 3 Store
Alunâs Boots: @shokoninioâ
Alunâs Short Cape: Happy Life Sims
Alunâs Long Tunic: @danjaley, although I edited it to be everyday wear.
Alunâs Long Cape: Astraea Nevermore
Alun is wearing the University Life âTomsâ shoes beneath his long robe.Â
Joyeuseâs Tunic: The Merrye Makers
Joyeuseâs Second Tunic: Taurona
Joyeuseâs Coat Dress: The Sims 3 Store, but I use this maternity edit.
Joyeuseâs âUnder-Tunicâ: Daluved1
Joyeuseâs First Wimple: @procrasimnation
Joyeuseâs Second Wimple: @carversims
Joyeuseâs Veil: Venus Princess
Joyeuse is wearing the University Life âTomsâ shoes for all of her outfits.
Pose from @danjaleyââs âArranged Weddingâ set.
