Materials Used in Medieval Clothing

Brocaded Material

A rich fabric, often silk, woven with raised designs, usually with gold or silver thread. Highly sought by the upper classes.

Brocatelle

An imitation of brocaded material executed with a combination of colored yarns. This material is used by members of the lower class to emulate genuine brocaded material.

Camlet, camelot

This refers to a fabric that is rumored to be composed, in part, from an exotic animal's coat, namely camel hair. It actually refers to an elegant fabric that is a mixture of silk or velvet and some camel hair. Used only by the upper classes.

Fur

Fur is the dressed pelt of various animals, used in the making of garments. It is used as the predominant material of some garments, while used only as trimming and decoration in others.

Many outer garments that are designed specifically for warmth are made of fur, and may line the inside or the outside of such a garment. Peasant cloaks and other fur-lined garments are usually composed of sheepskin, wolfskin, or other smaller mammals. Other furs used primarily by the lower classes include rabbit and common squirrel. The poorer people tend to stitch pieces of smaller animal furs together to provide protection from the cold.

Some furs are restricted and are allowed to be worn only by the upper class. Furs reserved for the aristocracy included sable, ermine, and vair. Especially prized by royalty is the darker skinned sable and black-tipped white ermine. A vair is a highly sought species of squirrel.

An adventurer could make a good deal of money selling furs if a good furrier and a willing buyer of the furs were discovered. Such entrepreneurs should remember that some furs are not only restricted for wearing, but merely owning the animal's hide may be illegal.

Leather

Leather may be created from the hide or skin of any animal, bird, or reptile. The skin is tanned or treated to preserve it. Leather is used in the creation of many objects of clothing and armor. The major advantage of leather is that it provides adequate protection while remaining flexible and supple, for quiet and complex maneuvering.

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