Lucrezia Shift

’The devil is in the details’ is one idiom you’ve heard at length--and it’s never been more true than when referring to sewing for the upper class.

When the lady of the house ordered a beautiful new Lucrezia Shift, you figured it would be an easy task. Alas! This shift is more beautiful than your expert tailoring expected, which means you’ve underestimated how long it would take to create its fine shirring sleeves.

Now as you examine the shift on one of your shop’s mannequins, you are very pleased with the result. Still, you should have charged the lady double.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury's Off-White Shift Lucrezia is a romantic and loose fitting slip-on underdress. Made from light and breathable medium cotton and cotton crepé, this dress is designed as a base layer for your costume. This off-white shift will help keep your outer layers clean, moderate your body temperature, and add a unique layer thanks to its decorated sleeves. The dress reaches from the shoulders to the ankles and has a wide skirt with plenty of room for easy movement.

The Shift Lucrezia’s shirring sleeves are long and tied around the bicep, elbow, and wrist with cotton drawstrings. As an elegant design that will give a simple dress a base layer of style, this shift is perfect for LARPers, cosplayers, and reenactors.

HISTORY

• Historically worn as a women’s undergarment
• Shirring is a sewing term where two or more rows of gathers are used to create decoration

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

The street is a hard place to conduct business, but it’s a way of life you’ve become very good at keeping. Two coppers jingle in the pouch hanging from your Broad Belt, but by the end of the day you’re determined to increase the lot to a gold or two. A good card game and a poor ol’ sap is all it takes.

On your way to your regular spot you pass a lovely lady in a fine dress. You may be a ruffian, but with your candid smile you give the lady a tip of your fanciful top hat. She looks flattered, which is a good distraction...because now you’ve got a silver to add to the copper in your pouch.

DETAILS

This bestselling Epic Armoury Broad Belt is a hefty leather belt fitted with D-rings for attaching additional equipment. The belt is made from two connected parallel leather pieces and adjustable braces at the front and back. The belt’s rim is stitched with a leather cord, adding rural detailing that gives life to your costume. Fasten the belt by securing its two 70 cm long belt tongues over a heavy leather plate on the front, locked in place by two rounded, brass belt buckles. Two spacers are included with each belt to give an extra option for customization and perfect fit. The spacers can be used alone or in combination.

• 5 cm. spacer already mounted and included in the shown measurements
• 20 cm. spacer included in the packing.

This Broad Belt is low-fantasy with a tough, but stylish look that can be used with a variety of characters and settings.

Available in Brown and Black, and sizes Medium and Large.

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

Once Upon a Dress!

“Behind her back, she sensed the noblemen ogling and their accompanying ladies scowling. She did not mind. In fact, she almost suppressed a smirk from the knowledge that the hunt was often more interesting than the catch. It was always a game, a dance with fire, and this evening was no exception. She made an innocent smile and fondled the golden trimmings along her neckline. While the cavaliers could only guess, she knew exactly what was beneath her dress: Alluring perfume, a subtle knife and a mission to obtain a certain piece of information that most likely could turn the tides in the looming war.”

Dress Lucrezia is the perfect dress for any adventurer that wishes to arrive feminine and fancy to the great hall. The dress is inspired by the Renaissance with golden trimmings to emphasise a lucrative lifestyle. The arms can be detached entirely or attached to reveal your choice of undergarments boldly. Allow us to recommend the matching Shift Lucrezia!

Note: In the photos with the Emperor Red and Epic Black variants the model is wearing the Shift Lucrezia beneath. In the photos with the Midnight Blue and Storm Grey variants, the model is wearing the Shift Isobel beneath.

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