[Bryn-gwlad] photos of authentic garb

[Coblaith Mhuimhneach]

There's this website I looked for when I was brand-spankin'-new to the 
SCA.  Lots of other newcomers have looked for it, too.  (I know because 
they've asked for it on mailing lists I belong to.)  As far as I know, 
it doesn't exist.  I'm thinking of taking on the task of creating it.  
But, I'll need help.

The main focus would be photographs of real people wearing authentic 
clothing from various time periods and cultures in Europe between 600 
and 1600 C.E.  It would also include links to "how to" information 
and/or patterns for the making of such, and bibliographies of the best 
sources.  And a page on "generic medieval" outfits, for those who don't 
want to do persona research but want to be reasonably authentic in what 
they wear.  (That'd be a tunic with rectangular construction, a coif or 
hood or [for women] veil, unobtrusive or period shoes, a plain belt 
with a simple buckle, and a pouch and/or scrip.)  If there's such a 
thing as "generic Renaissance", I'd be happy to include that, too, 
given the details.

My initial searches for the right kind of pictures haven't been 
entirely successful.  A surprising number of the best resource sites 
(with directions and bibliographies) don't have any images, or only 
have inexpert line drawings.  Many of the sites with photos of the sort 
I'd like to use don't contain text that causes them to show up when I 
do a Google search.  (They tend to say things like, "Me and Rosalie at 
Pennsic XXV" or "pictures from Gulf Wars".)  And I'm not familiar 
enough with what's appropriate for many places and times to tell the 
difference between authentic and "Who cares; I like it," at a glance.

I'll ask the SCA Garb Yahoo! Group, and continue trolling the Atlantian 
A&S Links, but I'd really appreciate it if those of you who've taken an 
interest in making authentic garb for yourselves or who happen to know 
people who have will send me photos, links, info on resources, etc.  
(That one website that EVERYBODY doing your period turns to again and 
again for information, or the one book you all watch for on e-bay 
because every costumer needs her or his own copy is the one I want to 
recommend.)   I'd also really benefit from some fashion timelines for 
various cultures or regions.

I figure, if any branch in the SCA covers the whole gamut, it'll be 
Bryn Gwlad.  Help me out with this, pretty please?


Oh, incidentally, this has nothing to do with the other conversations 
about newcomers on the list in the last couple of days.  I just happen 
to have a day or two to put out feelers before I start working on the 
next "It Cometh".



Coblaith Mhuimhneach
<mailto:Coblaith at sbcglobal.net>