The Medievally clothes that we wear are referred to as “garb”. Wearing clothes from a different time and place can be fun – it also makes the SCA different from many hobbies, as you can choose from an incredibly broad selection of styles.
But you can’t sew? That’s okay! We can teach you, and we hold sewing days for everyone to make garb together, with expert assistance. Alternatively you may be able to make an arrangement with someone to make you your clothing of choice or buy it at an event or online.

Use natural fibres – not only are they more accurate, they are less flammable should you bump into a candle or stumble into a campfire –which may happen more than you think.
Plain colours are suitable for virtually all periods and places, but simple cheques and stripes were also not uncommon. You may want to check with other members and do some research as it is much easier to make plain colours look good. When choosing fabric keep in mind which colours would have been available: there were many dyes available during the middle ages, some which were very common and others which were very difficult to use, or incredibly expensive. Browns, greens and yellows are fairly easy colours to make, reds and red oranges, even a light pink. Black and purple were both difficult to make, purple was rare partly due to its source –shellfish, which was uncommon – and for this reason it was more reserved for the upper classes. Which is fine, because in the SCA we’re all upper class!

Tunics
Perhaps the most common, and simplest, form of clothing for most of the SCA time period is the tunic. Its length and neckline vary, and by carefully choosing accessories you will be able to create different looks with the same pattern.

Pants
These are not that hard to make, however if you wear natural fibre pants which are loose (not jeans) and there are no visible pockets, they will be acceptable until you make some to a period design. Tights or stockings are also acceptable.

Shoes
With a little effort medieval style shoes can be made – for now, though, focus your energy on clothes. Simple school-type shoes, boots and even leather sandals are suitable. Mary Jane shoes with buckles suit many later clothing styles, and would suit both men and women. The important thing is that whatever shoes you wear, they don’t spoil how you look by being glaringly modern.

Making Your Own Tunic:
Made ankle length this pattern can be used to make a dress! Make several and in winter wear tunics of contrasting colours and differing lengths.
This pattern is designed for 2 yards of 45″–wide fabric: 1 1/3 yards for the body, and 24” for the sleeves.
Wrist measurement (narrow end of “S”) equals the distance around your closed fist plus an inch for seam allowance.
If your fabric is wider than 45 inches (most wool is), you can widen the body halves, but leave the sleeves 22 inches wide at the top unless you really need the space. The leftover fabric can become more gores (the G’s). To assemble:

Sew the body halves together only at the top;
Cut the neck-hole out as small as possible-It can be -round, semi-circular, or square, and if you wish, a short slit can be added;
Sew the 2 little gore halves (G) together to match the shape of the big gore;
Sew the gores to either side of the back panel, or in slits at the centre front and back. (It is even better to have gores in the centre and at the sides, but not essential!);
You will probably need to trim the sleeves to fit closer along the forearm, but not too tight;
Sew the sleeves to the body, centred on the shoulder seam;
Finally, fold the whole thing in half (into a tunic shape), and sew each side from wrist to armpit to hem.