Kampfrau dress

Bold colours. Historical flair. 

The Kampfrau Dress combines late medieval style and Landsknecht flair into a single, wearable, and adjustable garment, ideal for everything from drunken carouses to multi-day campaign days at your local LARP. Red and green, or red and white, you have a dramatic look that can't help but make a great impression in the best way.

Its pleated hem flows with natural weight and movement, giving the illusion of you moving even when you're standing completely still. The floral cutwork trimming across the hem adds a bit of whimsy but stops short of being overdone. And with long tie-straps both in the front and back, you can control the fit—pull it in close or let it droop a bit, depending on how many layers you have on.

A Dress That Feels as Good as It Looks

The exterior is made of brushed wool, fuzzy and warm, with ridges just where they should be, and gentle against the skin on the inside. It will gladly drape over a chemise or shift (like our Shift Guila or Smock Violet), and it will retain its shape all day long.

The Kampfrau Dress draws inspiration from 16th-century fashion, particularly the styles worn by working-class women and camp followers, practical yet far from plain. It brings just enough structure to feel fitted without ever feeling restrictive. Whether you’re on your feet all day or dancing into the evening, you’ll move easily and stay comfortable.

And yes, we accessorized it here with matching sleeves and feather hats—those aren't included, but they're from the same collection if you'd like the entire look.

Why this might just be your new favourite dress:

• Made from brushed wool with breathable cotton lining
• Available in red/green and red/white colourways
• Full pleated skirt with floral cutwork trim
• Long tie-strings at front and back for a flexible, custom fit
• Coordinates with matching sleeves and hats (sold separately)
• Based on the late medieval and early Renaissance periods, and the Lansknecht style.
• Ideal for LARP, Ren fairs, fantasy cosplay, or reenactment 

The Kampfrau Dress is for individuals who stride with intent. Whether you are operating an inn, hiking with mercenaries, or merely showing off your colours in the sunlight. It is dramatic, functional, and full of character; like you.

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