RenaissanceFestival.com Forums

It was freakishly cold and rainy in Colorado last season. As I sit in my dorm room right now it looks like it could snow/hail/rain at any moment which doesn't give me a ton of hope for a sunny season this year. I made a flannel cloak last year which is good for chilly days but it's really not so great in the rain (especially since the color bleeds). I have in my possession 2 grey wool army blankets that I had planned to make another cloak out of but recently I'd bee thinking It would be cool to try a coat. And here lies the problem. I know nothing about coats for women and when I looked around at garb sites on line for ideas they were all very fancy. I would really like something quite simple, a little on the longer side with wide sleeves and a perhaps a simple collar. I looked through all of the major pattern sites and came across simplicity (new look) 6832 http://www.simplicity.com/p-2505-misses-jackets.aspx (http://www.simplicity.com/p-2505-misses-jackets.aspx). I thought that view C might be just the thing. Plus, it says it's easy which is a big perk for me. So what do you all think? If I made it from grey wool with a nice clasp and maybe some trim along the bottom or front? I'm not worried about historical accuracy I just wanted something that looks simple enough to pass as renaissance and not look out of place over my basic wench ensemble. Any thoughts or suggestions about this project would be much appreciated  :D

I like that idea!  It looks like it would be quite comfortable and give you room to cover and protect anything attached to a belt without looking odd or bulky.

Looks good.

Dont give the weather ANY more ideas!

Simplicity patterns are generally easy, and that one looks good.  The best thing about wool is that it will keep you drier, and is warm even when wet.  You might even be able to add a hood.

I think the grey wool will be key in making this fit in at the faire, and as long as you pick a trim that also fits with the period, I think it would be golden!

Elizabethans had moved from Capes and had several jacket type things you might want to try!
Check out this article:
http://www.employees.org/~cathy/cote_body.html (http://www.employees.org/~cathy/cote_body.html)


And also this suggestion:
http://www.extremecostuming.com/articles/militarycassocks.html (http://www.extremecostuming.com/articles/militarycassocks.html)

This picture is called the Country Couple so could be a nice typical Gentry Coat, and I think it would look spiffy with Wench Gear:


This is a Coat and could be used just as well:

I hope this helps!
Cilean


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