Looking Good on the SCA Field
aka A Stick Jock's Guide to Fashion
by Kenric FitzAlan
One of the many allures of the SCA is fighting. However, a problem many see is the apparent lack of concern that some of our fellow fighters have in their on-field appearance. They have ugly armour, oftentimes made of non-period looking materials, and in general, ruin the medieval vibe that could be happening.
A big excuse that is oftentimes used is lack of money. Another major excuse is that good looking armour doesn't fight well.
Bull crap.
I am not suggesting that your armour needs to look better. I am not suggesting you need to spend a lot of money. I am not suggesting you give up plastic or sports gear. I AM suggesting that you CAN look good with a little bit of effort. Even if you are wearing pickle barrel armour.
This article is intended to give a lot ideas and options to fighters who don't look great out on the tourney field. If you already wear a full suit of a perfect replica of some muckety muck from the 15th century, you don't need my help. You already look good. If you are wearing some combination of plastic, badly rusted spaulders and hockey equipment, and all you do to be medieval is wear a tabard, then read on. You are about to get a crash course on Stick Jock Fashion.
This article is not intended to tell you perfect portrayal of a specific period. I encourage you to do some research and make that happen. I am going to be general in my suggestions. I am not going to try and differentiate between the length of a Viking and Norman tunic. I am not going to say whether puffy pants or tight pants are better for a Landsknecht. You may need to do some outside research, but this will hopefully be a good jumping point.
Also, there may be some inaccuracies in my terminology or when certain armour may have appeared. Please don't blast me for this. I am NOT an expert on any of this, and I do no purport myself as one. All I am trying to do is give a good once-over on how someone can look better on the field if they have a lot of non-period or ugly armour.
On to the meat...
Cover Thyself
The single concept behind looking better on the field for those of use with plastic and ugly armour is to cover it.
Covering it is not as simple as gluing some fabric over plastic. Or at least, it doesn't have to be. And in most cases, it probably shouldn't be.
Covering is using period garb to disguise and hide the anachronisms and atrocities of your armour. In fact, for many periods, they didn't wear much armour, or their armour was almost completely covered. So wearing garb over areas where our SCA requirements say we must protect, is actually MORE visually period for certain personas.
Early Normans, Saxons and Vikings:
While there are vast differences in their cultures, on the whole, what they wore on the field is very similar.
Most evidence suggests that they only wore a chainmail shirt (hauberk or haubergeon) and a helm (nasal or spangen). In fact, some evidence (and general logic) suggests that "poorer" people would have worn no real body protection at all. Further, early period personas didn't wear leg armour. Heck, most texts seem to support that they didn't wear arm armour. That means no matter how pretty your leg armour is, it should still be covered! That means you can have really ugly (or modern) armour for your legs as long as you put some pants over it. Totally easy and good looking. It also means that you can wear a tunic over your body harness and arms and you've got a very passable early period persona. If you can wear it as garb, make it a tad bigger and it will likely work over armour. For extra credit, you can wear a chainmail shirt and put a a full aventail on your helm.
So basically, some easy garb later and you look good on the field.
Obviously there are nuances between the cultures in the garb and helms they wore, but the concept is the same. Get some basic garb and cover your armour!
Take a look at this example:
by Kenric FitzAlan
One of the many allures of the SCA is fighting. However, a problem many see is the apparent lack of concern that some of our fellow fighters have in their on-field appearance. They have ugly armour, oftentimes made of non-period looking materials, and in general, ruin the medieval vibe that could be happening.
A big excuse that is oftentimes used is lack of money. Another major excuse is that good looking armour doesn't fight well.
Bull crap.
I am not suggesting that your armour needs to look better. I am not suggesting you need to spend a lot of money. I am not suggesting you give up plastic or sports gear. I AM suggesting that you CAN look good with a little bit of effort. Even if you are wearing pickle barrel armour.
This article is intended to give a lot ideas and options to fighters who don't look great out on the tourney field. If you already wear a full suit of a perfect replica of some muckety muck from the 15th century, you don't need my help. You already look good. If you are wearing some combination of plastic, badly rusted spaulders and hockey equipment, and all you do to be medieval is wear a tabard, then read on. You are about to get a crash course on Stick Jock Fashion.
This article is not intended to tell you perfect portrayal of a specific period. I encourage you to do some research and make that happen. I am going to be general in my suggestions. I am not going to try and differentiate between the length of a Viking and Norman tunic. I am not going to say whether puffy pants or tight pants are better for a Landsknecht. You may need to do some outside research, but this will hopefully be a good jumping point.
Also, there may be some inaccuracies in my terminology or when certain armour may have appeared. Please don't blast me for this. I am NOT an expert on any of this, and I do no purport myself as one. All I am trying to do is give a good once-over on how someone can look better on the field if they have a lot of non-period or ugly armour.
On to the meat...
Cover Thyself
The single concept behind looking better on the field for those of use with plastic and ugly armour is to cover it.
Covering it is not as simple as gluing some fabric over plastic. Or at least, it doesn't have to be. And in most cases, it probably shouldn't be.
Covering is using period garb to disguise and hide the anachronisms and atrocities of your armour. In fact, for many periods, they didn't wear much armour, or their armour was almost completely covered. So wearing garb over areas where our SCA requirements say we must protect, is actually MORE visually period for certain personas.
Early Normans, Saxons and Vikings:
While there are vast differences in their cultures, on the whole, what they wore on the field is very similar.
Most evidence suggests that they only wore a chainmail shirt (hauberk or haubergeon) and a helm (nasal or spangen). In fact, some evidence (and general logic) suggests that "poorer" people would have worn no real body protection at all. Further, early period personas didn't wear leg armour. Heck, most texts seem to support that they didn't wear arm armour. That means no matter how pretty your leg armour is, it should still be covered! That means you can have really ugly (or modern) armour for your legs as long as you put some pants over it. Totally easy and good looking. It also means that you can wear a tunic over your body harness and arms and you've got a very passable early period persona. If you can wear it as garb, make it a tad bigger and it will likely work over armour. For extra credit, you can wear a chainmail shirt and put a a full aventail on your helm.
So basically, some easy garb later and you look good on the field.
Obviously there are nuances between the cultures in the garb and helms they wore, but the concept is the same. Get some basic garb and cover your armour!
Take a look at this example:
In this photo, a nice tunic and garb go a long way. The armour underneath is mostly plastic and aluminum, but really it could be ANYTHING, because it is all covered. Extra points for winingas (leg wrappings). Period shoes would help, as would a persona appropriate shield (oval or kite), but overall the effect is good.
Another example:
Another example:
What does his actual armour look like? I don't care! As long as it passes inspection, it is okay by me. By covering his armour with clothing and chainmail, he looks great and is very visually accurate Viking.
Want to strive towards something? Take a look at this kit:
Want to strive towards something? Take a look at this kit:
Once again, all armour is hidden, so it *could* be all lightweight sports equipment. Once the chainmail goes on with that stunning helm, he looks great on the field.
Landsknecht:
Don't like the early periods? No problem... go German! The garb is more difficult to make than early periods, but the concept of covering all your armour is the same. The Landshnekts were known for flamboyant and extravagant garb over their armour. So it doesn't matter what you have on underneath, as long as you are appropriately flashy on top.
Here are some drawings from a book:
Landsknecht:
Don't like the early periods? No problem... go German! The garb is more difficult to make than early periods, but the concept of covering all your armour is the same. The Landshnekts were known for flamboyant and extravagant garb over their armour. So it doesn't matter what you have on underneath, as long as you are appropriately flashy on top.
Here are some drawings from a book:
And here are some examples of SCA fighters:
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As you can see, they don't *look* like they are wearing armour, so they can have on anything underneath. To be honest, I have no idea what their actual armour looks like. Hockey pants, lacrosse shoulders, motocross arms or beautiful gothic plate... it is all okay because it is all covered. They look great, and although I don't know much about the Landshnekts, from my understanding they look accurate.
14th Century:
I am not trying to say that all societies and periods of the 14th century are the same. They all have their own nuances and subtle differences. But, for the purposes of this article, I am going to lump them together. Remember, we are trying to give general ideas, NOT do your research (or thinking) for you. The body and arms are easily covered by a jupon. A jupon is a garment worn over armour. Oftentimes they are lightly padded and fitted as in the example below, but many variations exist. Very period, and best of all it hides a lot of sins. It does help if you body harness is well formed (unlike pickle barrel), but feel free to go with plastic for it. You can go with a kidney belt... it doesn't matter since it is getting covered. If you don't want garb over your body, then you can still have a plastic body harness covered in fabric. I read that this is also period. But then you do need to spend some time on the proper shape, and good looking arms. If you can do that, you don't need this article. Make a jupon. They look cool.
Now, legs are a bit more of a problem. Articulated steel legs are appropriate, but you do have a few options. You can have plastic or padded (gamboised) cuisses and soupcan style knees (polyens). If you go with plastic legs, make sure to cover them with fabric. The shape is important to the legs, though, even though they are covered. Make some bright greaves and you've got a 14th century harness that looks good.
Take a look at this example:
14th Century:
I am not trying to say that all societies and periods of the 14th century are the same. They all have their own nuances and subtle differences. But, for the purposes of this article, I am going to lump them together. Remember, we are trying to give general ideas, NOT do your research (or thinking) for you. The body and arms are easily covered by a jupon. A jupon is a garment worn over armour. Oftentimes they are lightly padded and fitted as in the example below, but many variations exist. Very period, and best of all it hides a lot of sins. It does help if you body harness is well formed (unlike pickle barrel), but feel free to go with plastic for it. You can go with a kidney belt... it doesn't matter since it is getting covered. If you don't want garb over your body, then you can still have a plastic body harness covered in fabric. I read that this is also period. But then you do need to spend some time on the proper shape, and good looking arms. If you can do that, you don't need this article. Make a jupon. They look cool.
Now, legs are a bit more of a problem. Articulated steel legs are appropriate, but you do have a few options. You can have plastic or padded (gamboised) cuisses and soupcan style knees (polyens). If you go with plastic legs, make sure to cover them with fabric. The shape is important to the legs, though, even though they are covered. Make some bright greaves and you've got a 14th century harness that looks good.
Take a look at this example:
His leg armour is visible, but his body harness and arm armour is all hidden under his lovely jupon. For his legs, steel cops are necessary, but his cuisses and greaves could be plastic covered in cloth or leather. Remember that it is all about making an effort.
How about this kit from the early 14th century:
How about this kit from the early 14th century:
From what the wearer said, the body, arms, cuisses and (much of) the gauntlets are all plastic... and they look great. Certainly the chainmail helps the look, but a gambeson would work as well. If you want better vision and a glancing surface, a bascinet would work instead of the barrel helm. The idea is that you can look good if you want to. If you are on a budget, sweat equity goes a long way.
Take a look at this example:
Take a look at this example:
Obviously the wearer has spent a good amount of money or time on his kit, but his body harness is plastic! Also, see how his cuisses and vambraces are covered -- that means they, too, could be plastic. So while the general idea of this article is to cover with garb, this is a good example of covering well shaped plastic armour with fabric.
Miscellaneous examples:
Other time periods can work with some work and thought.
Take a look at this later period example:
Miscellaneous examples:
Other time periods can work with some work and thought.
Take a look at this later period example:
The only thing you see are his helm, his gauntlets and his breastplate. Everything else is sports equipment! So he gives up nothing in the way of performance, and still looks great.
In Conclusion
Hopefully this has given you a few ideas on how you can look better on the field. All it takes is a little effort and some imagination.
I'd like to thank everyone who offered their photos for use in this article.
Yours in Service,
Kenric FitzAlan
In Conclusion
Hopefully this has given you a few ideas on how you can look better on the field. All it takes is a little effort and some imagination.
I'd like to thank everyone who offered their photos for use in this article.
Yours in Service,
Kenric FitzAlan
Kenric's un-edited article was posted on the confed website as a reference for its members and friends.
