Runa Dress

NOTE: DISCONTINUED IN 2019

Since you can remember, you have been training to become a lady. You wear your Runa Dress, learning the art of needlework and etiquette from your caregiver...and sometimes even from your mother and the ladies of the court.

Today you are elegantly dressed and at work on a particularly gorgeous stitching. It is one of the rare occasions you keep company with your mother, and she leans over to give your work special praise. How proud you are!

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Dress Runa is a sleeveless overdress for adults and children, featuring a scoop neckline and large window armholes. Designed to be pulled on top of an inner slip such as a Children’s Shift or Basic Dress, the Runa Dress adds layering while still allowing you to show-off your entire costume. Made from comfortable black and red cotton, this dress is designed to be both comfortable and impressive.

The Runa dress is designed with plenty of room and loose fabric, and will suit you and your child in most medieval settings.

HISTORY

• Medieval children often wore the same fashions as adults until the 16th- and 17th-centuries
• Sideless surcoats were popular women’s fashion during the 14th- and 15th centuries

You tighten your belt another notch over your hose and Braies, frowning at the watered-down soup over the fire. It’s been a long winter, and you and your family aren’t sure you’re going to have enough food. As you consider ways you might be able to afford some meat--maybe you can do some work for a merchant in town?--there’s an anxious knock on the door.

“Raiders!” shouts the messenger on your doorstep. “Raiders are coming! Every able person is being called to fight!”

Suddenly an empty belly is the least of your worries.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Braies are roomy, lightweight undergarments worn like shorts or with hose. These cotton braies are secured with hidden drawstrings at the waist, adjustable to match your size. The knee-length legs tie around the upper shin with a second set of drawstrings. Offering a surprising amount of support and coverage, these braies really demonstrate how awful crotch support used to be. Period-correct lice can be added for additional authenticity.

Braies have been worn by all strata of society and make a great basis for almost any character costume.

HISTORY

• Historically used as a men’s undergarment beneath chausses or hose tied onto the braies’ drawstring
• An ancient garment of German-Celtic origin that became popular in the Roman Empire and in the successor kingdoms

On a long adventure, you must plan to pack as much as you can comfortably carry. You secure several heavy bags and weapons to your Barbarian Belt, dependent upon its sturdy design to carry what you need.

In addition to your full backpack, durable boots, and your wool cloak, you are ready for the many months ahead. If nothing else, you’ll look the part of a true warrior while traveling the continent.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Brown Barbarian Belt is an impressive leather kidney belt embellished with beautiful designs and laced edges. The belt is made from two smaller, embossed leather belts slipped through a wide brace, providing a secure fit that will remain fixed over your costume. This design also allows you to attach heavy weapon holders and bags, supporting extra weight with ease. Aesthetically, the belt has rustic detailing with laced stitching that gives life to your costume.

Fasten the Barbarian Belt by securing its two belt tongues, locked in place by two square brass belt buckles. This belt is low-fantasy with a rugged, but stylish look that can be used with a variety of characters and settings.

HISTORY

• Belts have been documented for male clothing since the Bronze Age between 3200–600 B.C.
• More commonly a male fashion item, with the exception of the Middle Ages

SIZING

BUILT UPON A GREAT FOUNDATION

Epic Armoury’s Shift Isobel is an elegant underdress with front lacing, designed to pair with the most beautiful and luxurious dresses. Made from light and breathable cotton crepé, this dress reaches from the shoulders to the ankles and features beautiful curved lines that will compliment any size. Lace embellishments has been added around the neckline and narrow sleeve cuffs for an extra nice touch.

Wear this shift as a base layer for your costume and keep your more elaborate, expensive outer layers clean! The skirt flares out and has lots of excess fabric to give an outer skirt a full look, eliminating the need for a petticoat.

The Shift Isobel is a sophisticated design that will suit many LARPer, cosplayer, and reenactor needs! Slip the shift on and tighten the lacing up the front using the hand sewn eyelets and our blue cotton laces.

Comfortable Underdress

• Historically worn as a women’s undergarment
• Shifts and chemises were used to keep outer clothing clean, and they were typically made of cheaper material that was easier to wash

Silence. Perfect silence.

You use the silence as a cloak of armour, masked in the darkness with the help of your Mempo, waiting for the perfect opportunity. You ready your throwing knives, ready to launch your deadly attack when the lord finally emerges from inside the keep. One quick flick of your wrist and the lord breathes his last, you knife hitting its mark...and you vanish, leaving their guards bewildered and afraid.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Mempo is a leather half-mask inspired by early Asian soldiers. This mask protects the face from the bridge of the nose to the chin. Four ventilation slits allow proper airflow through the mask’s mouth, designed to be comfortably worn for long periods of time. Secure the mask to your face by tying two long cotton-weave cords around the head.

Made from 3mm thick vegetable-tanned full-grain leather, Epic Armoury’s Mempo is designed to add a great layer to your fantasy or historic costume. With the best quality materials, this mask is built to withstand extensive abuse with regular leather care.

HISTORY

• Worn by Japanese and Chinese infantry and cavalry from as early as 200 BC
• Used to balance and secure top-heavy helmets, often decorated to give the wearer an extra fierce look

There are stories being told about you amongst the soldiers. You are the mercenary who has slain over a thousand men. You put fear in your enemies with just a glance. Your aura of darkness freezes the hearts of anyone who looks you in the eye. And your favorite? Someone is saying you made a deal with a devil so that you may never die.

You will never tell them which might be true. Instead, as you sit in camp and wash the blood from your Gambeson, you simply listen...and smirk.

DETAILS

This bestselling Ready for Battle Gambeson is a padded armour coat covering the torso, abdomen, back and upper arms. It can be worn on its own or serve as essential padding under mail or armour. The gambeson is donned like a jacket and closed on the front with four leather straps with iron buckles.

Thick enough to serve as its own armour, this sturdy gambeson is constructed with heavy layers of fluffed cotton padding sandwiched between coloured heavy cotton, all stitched together in vertical lines. The stitching keeps the padding in place and mimics a classic European high-medieval style. The gambeson is open under the armpits to allow the wearer to breathe and have ease movement.

Though of European cut, gambeson or quilted-style armours have seen world-wide use since antediluvian times, making the Ready for Battle Gambeson a great basic armour with a range of possibilities regardless of time and place.

HISTORY

• Used as padding under chainmail or plate armour
• Historically, a high-medieval European gambeson was recorded as being capable of stopping sword blows from penetrating the skin
• Could stop heavy arrows and mace and axe impacts with the addition of overlaying chainmail

Available in one size, fits unisex small - large (best fits size medium).

The way the human children look at you, you would assume they have never seen an elf before. Granted, it isn’t often that you travel into cities. You prefer the tranquil sounds of the forest, away from the stench and chaos of busy human streets.

However, you have business with a certain wizard in town. So while your elven garb--decorated Fur Hood, tunic, and weapons--cause you to stand out amongst the crowd, you continue without raising a fuss. After all, they are only short-lived creatures. They don’t know any better than to stare.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Fur Hood is an embroidered mantle with a long hood tail. The mantle covers the shoulders, keeping the upper chest warm while the hood protects the head and face from harsh wind. Elvish embroidery and polyester fur trim embellishes this hood, adding great detail to the felted wool. The inside is lined with soft, comfortable cotton.

Hoods are great garments for rounding off character looks, and the Fur Hood is a stylish garment that especially fits a roguish or elven character. Adjust the hood’s facial opening with flat split-leather cord lacing at the throat.

HISTORY

• One of the oldest garments known to humanity
• Common fashion in medieval Europe, especially with a hood

Donning your kimono and Jin Baori every morning is as much a ritual as a tea ceremony. Carefully inspected and folded the night before, it is of the utmost importance that a samurai of your stature maintain a pristine uniform. To look sloppy implies that your discipline is lacking--and by that logic, your swordsmanship must be, too.

Instead of risking such dishonor to your reputation, you take the care that is necessary. There will not be a thread out of place.

DETAILS

The Epic Armoury Jin Baori is a traditional open overcoat to be worn over a high-ranking samurai’s armour. Reaching from the shoulders to the mid-thigh and edged with broad golden bands along the collar and hem, this handsome garment adds detail and interest to an Asian-inspired costume. Fit shoulder armour outside the Jin-Baori by threading straps through the four eyelets located on the back and front. Each eyelet is clearly marked by golden edging, adding strength and aesthetic appeal.

On the back, the Jin-Baori has two slits allowing maximum mobility. These slits also allow a sword to hang comfortably from a belt beneath the coat. The garment is made of durable, but comfortable cotton with gold coloured cotton edging. Fully compatible with Epic Armoury's other Asian styles, the Jin-Baori is for the warrior looking to display his status and skill on the field of glory.

HISTORY

• Historically made for armoured samurai to wear
• Considered a type of haori, which is a kimono-like jacket that adds formality to an outfit
• Traditionally a male garment until the Meiji period