Frida Dress

After her husband fell in battle, she took charge of the village. When she walked through the village, people took note, even when they couldn't see her, as her scent was like honey mixed with lilacs. From the longhouse, she ruled like a queen over her subjects, ensuring that the day-to-day chores were done and the village was safe from raiders. She had proven herself a capable leader, and the hird obeyed her orders. The villagers knew that she was their queen while Frida sat upon her throne, clad in a shift and a simple overdress just like the other village women.

The Frida Dress comes to us from the Norse and the Vikings. It follows the hangerok style of the early mediaeval era of Northern Europe. It has been made from herringbone-patterned cotton, giving it a nice thickness and weight. A shift or shirt should be worn underneath for an authentic and more comfortable experience. The shoulder straps have been made so that they're easy to modify with some needlework. The Frida Dress is suitable for everyone, from commoners to nobility, as it can be accessorised with brooches and jewellery and will complement any shift well.

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

Your House waits for sleep to take your rivals before making an advance on their fortress. While the element of surprise will give you an advantage, forcing the rival house to fall will still require a bloody battle this night.

You are one of your family’s oldest females and a devout follower of your chaotic god. Decorated in your Priestess Dress, you lead your small army of slaves and allies with your staff in hand. Tonight will be your victory.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Priestess Dress is a formal and elegant dress with long sleeves designed to function on its own or combined with other Epic Armoury clothes. Made from comfortable, soft cotton, this dress is tailored to be exceptionally versatile. The neckline is wide, showing off the collarbone and shoulders, complementing and balancing the rest of the dress’ design. Wear the long sleeves completely open in the summer, partially laced to show off your chemise, or tie them tight and straight from shoulder to wrist.

The Priestess Dress reaches from the shoulders to the ankles, and can be adjusted using a drawstring along the sides to match your desired look and comfort. The style is inspired by medieval design, but the Priestess' 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

Two frogs, a halved lizard’s brain, and a dash of graveyard dirt are added to your brew as you recite the memorized incantation. This particular spell is one of your specialties; people from miles around come to buy even the smallest of doses.

You allow the potion time to simmer before it is ready, straining the maroon concoction into a flask. Your Raven Dress flares out behind you as you carry it out to the cloaked man still waiting in your shop. The Forget Spell is ready for sale...for a pretty price.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Raven Dress is a sleeveless overdress with a polyester fur collar and large window armholes. Designed to be pulled on top of an inner slip such as a Peasant Dress or Basic Dress, the Raven Dress adds layering to the costume while still allowing you to show-off your entire costume. Made from comfortable medium cotton, and embellished with a tulle-like bottom hem, this dress is designed to be both comfortable and impressive.

The Raven dress is designed with plenty of room and loose fabric. Though unique in pattern, the cut will fit into most medieval settings.

HISTORY

• Sideless surcoats were popular women’s fashion during the 14th- and 15th centuries
• Eventually became considered a ceremonial garment
• The Church found the fashion scandalous, calling the sleeve holes “Gates to Hell”

You own two dresses--one for work, and one for special occasions. You are careful to treat each article as though it is precious.

So, you are patching up your Peasant Dress once again. You have been mending it for years, adjusting the fit and fixing unraveled stitches and torn hems. It is a good thing you saved the money for this heavy cotton dress in the first place! It has survived the abuse of regular labor well, all things considered.

Many people are not so lucky.

DETAILS

Epic Armoury’s Peasant Dress is a graceful but casual sleeveless dress designed to shine on its own or to be combined with other Epic Armoury clothes. With a V-cut neckline and a tailored waist, this ankle-length dress is both comfortable and appealing. Adjust the fit to your preference by tightening the drawstring brace on the front, which can be tied shut or worn visible depending on the style desired. The waistline can also be adjusted with a cloth strap around the back.

Made from soft cotton, the Peasant 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

• Most peasants of the Middle Ages only owned two sets of clothing, which would be patched and mended for years
• 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

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

“The servants worked swiftly under her command. It was obvious that their respect for her had taken root following her resolute and fair rulership in the absence of the Jarl. Nobody knew how long this situation would last, but as the king and his hird were on their way, the mead hall was prepared for a royal reception. Standing in the centre of it all in her beautiful blue dress and silver jewellery, the townsfolk seemed confident that Estrid would negotiate well on their behalf.”

The Estrid Dress is inspired by the stalwart folk of the northern shores. It is made of herringbone-patterned cotton and features a tie string on the back for an adjusted fit and a beautiful woven lining along the dress bottom. Depending on colour and accessory choice, the Estrid Dress is well-suited for many characters, such as northern commoners, shield maidens and clan nobles. Will you be there to pluck the strings of destiny?

Colour clarification:

• Night Grey = dark grey herringbone
• Ranger Grey = medium grey herringbone