Isobel Dress

A lady must own any room she enters, or so you’ve been taught. She must capture the eye of every person and captivate their imagination. In all your time at Court, your mother's words have guided you flawlessly.

Out of all your dresses, your weapons, the Isobel Dress is your preferred choice against the machinations of the Court.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Dark Red/Azure Green Dress Isobel is a formal and luxurious red dress with long flared sleeves lined in green. Made from comfortable, soft velvet and brocade, this dress features detachable sleeves that can be worn open in the summer or laced over a chemise.

The Isobel Dress reaches from the shoulders to the ankles, with a longer back that is cut to allow for ease of movement. The dress is secured using lacing along the front. The style is inspired by medieval design, but the Isobel Dress can easily be used by almost any character or culture with a little creativity.

HISTORY

• Also referred to as a “kirtle,” which is a garment worn over a chemise or smock
• Popular garment worn by middle class women in the 1400-1600s

The model is wearing

Isobel Dress Green with Isobel Shift White, x 2 Belt Godfrey Red and the models own hair accessories.

Isobel Dress Red with Isobel Shift White, x 2 Belt Godfrey Green and the models own hair accessories.

You’ve had a busy day in the market, visiting the bustling shops and running necessary errands. Thankfully you were comfortable in your Basic Dress, a blessing considering the amount of walking you’ve done simply going to and from town!

Now you have returned to the farm, unloading your baskets of odds and ends on your table. Your family is excited to see you, offering you warm broth from a kettle on the fire. As exciting as the market may be, it’s good to be in the comfort of your home.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury's Basic Dress is a simple but graceful slip-on dress with long sleeves designed to function on its own or to be combined with other Epic Armoury clothes. The V-cut neckline and wrists are embroidered with a contrasting broad stitch, while the bottom hem is trimmed with matching edging. Made from comfortable, soft cotton, this dress reaches from the shoulders to the ankles and has a comfortably wide skirt to allow for easy movement.

The Basic Dress is a great start to a special costume. While inspired by Renaissance design, this dress can easily be used by almost any character or culture with a little creativity.

HISTORY

• Also referred to as a “kirtle,” which is a garment worn over a chemise or smock
• Popular garment worn by middle class women in the 1400-1600s

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

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).

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

Discontinued 2016

DISCONTINUED IN 2019 - Still available to order but some colours/sizes may not be available. Check with us before ordering if not showing as currently in stock.

Silence. Perfect silence.

You use the silence as a cloak of armour, masked in the darkness and waiting for danger to show itself. You ready your sword, prepared to launch your deadly attack should your Lord’s assassins appear. One quick slice and they will breathe their last, you sword hitting its mark and your Kimono becoming soaked in their dark red blood. When you vanish once more, you’ll leave any of their allies bewildered and afraid.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Dark Red Kimono is a traditional Japanese T-shaped robe with ¾ length sleeves made from heavy red cotton and a reinforced collar. Reaching from the shoulders to the upper thighs, this garment is a great base to an Ancestral costume. The Kimono is worn by tying the left over the right side, securing its cotton straps located on the inside and outside of the waist. The sleeves hang loose just above the wrists, leaving the hands free and allowing the greatest possible freedom of action.

Fully compatible with Epic Armoury's other Asian styles, the Kimono is a great basis for almost any samurai-inspired character you wish to make - be it honourable warrior or dishonoured thief.

HISTORY

• A traditional Japanese garment since the 8th century
• Resembles a kosode, which is a shorter sleeved kimono worn with a hakama
• Traditionally secured with a sash tied at the back called an obi
• Always traditionally tied with the left over the right side, except when dressing the dead

The Romans control the British Isles--and your home. What was once your tribe has been taken from you in the name of the Emperor, but you will not be silenced.

You look the part of a leader in your Battle Skirt as you meet with your warriors in secret. You are plotting a revolt against your oppressors, the spark that will ignite the fire and the war that is sure to follow. You will not stand down. You are prepared to do everything it takes to win back what is rightfully yours.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Battle Skirt is an ankle-length, loose garment suitable for both men and women. Designed to be worn on the hips, this heavy cotton skirt is fitted with cotton drawstrings at the waist to keep it secure with or without a belt. Slits at the front, back and sides allow for easy movement during combat, and are reinforced with patches of split-leather to prevent tearing.

The Battle Skirt is great for defining a unique character uniform. Whether you are a one-man army wanting to stand out, or you are in a unit of soldiers and want to blend in, you will appear both stylish and dangerous by wearing this Battle Skirt.

HISTORY

• Outside Western cultures, skirts have traditionally been a part of men’s clothing since ancient times
• Skirted garments were worn by men in Europe until the Victorian period
• The Greek War Goddess Athena was depicted wearing a skirt into battle