Gothic Clothing for Medieval Festivals and Events

Gothic period stretched from 1200 AD to 1450 AD. Fashion and clothing in the earlier half from 1200 AD to 1350 AD was simple and sophisticated. Tunics became shorter, necklines went a little bit lower and sleeves were shortened in men’s clothing. Women’s clothing continued to be full length, reaching down to the ankles with gothic corsets adorning the upper part and forming the focal point of the ensemble. Gothic clothing metamorphosed into tighter and more body hugging versions in the latter period from 1350 AD to 1450 AD. Pleats and ruffs became crisper with an overall squarer silhouette. Characterizing the period was use of intense hues of red, gold, blue and green for nobility’s clothing while grays and browns were the colour for the common people. Pirates were common and developed their unusual and impressive dress styles. Pirate shirt designs are still in vogue today, a way to be stylishly different and flamboyantly noticeable at any event. What a pirate shirt is to men, gothic corsets, underbust and overbust types, are to women, various styles and embellishments craftily created to draw attention and highlight their curves.

If you wish to look really impressive at a medieval festival wearing gothic clothing, the Houppelande is a good choice. It is a loose gown with flowing, flared sleeves, tight fit waist, with the dress descending to floor level, with a slit at the knees. At the top a high standing collar gave character to this costume. Women’s houppelande was similar but with a softer and more open collar, shorter waist and a fuller skirt.

Gothic clothing is characterized by the heraldry emblazoned on the dress, with diapering or the technique of adding gemstones to the garment in elaborate designs and particoloring for a more resplendent look. Women’s gothic clothing was further accentuated by a truncated cone known as the Hennin or headdress complete with a veil. Decorative metal cages or reticulation held together hair to one side of a woman’s head and was a fashion accessory. The escoffin was more elaborate, a high standing, brocaded headdress with a fine veil. Unique to this era were the points or metal tipped ribbons attached to sleeves, the chaperon headdress and the poulaine a combination hose and shoe. Gowns were typically embellished with dagging in the form of scallops and points decorating the edge of the fabric.

That was the age of the knights clad in armor and attending a medieval festival complete from head to toe in a knight’s shining armor with chain mail and a lance can make for an impressive entrance. Another alternative is to dress like a king or a queen and be the talk of the event, drawing eyes wherever you go or dress up in pirate shirt with matching breeches, boots, tricornered hat, sash, diagonal belt and a plume. If simple is your style, then a peasant style goth clothing is just as appropriate for the medieval event.

There is no question that gothic clothing is impressive and stylish in its own way and sourcing the right set of gothic clothing and pirate shirts from online stores can be an affordable way to make a style statement at a medieval event.

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