Constant improvement.

It must be said up front; my concept of Rangering ala Middle Earth revolves around the writings of Master Tolkien with a bit of historical flavor. This really does not make it differ much from 12th century stuff, or even 14th century stuff save perhaps in decoration. The clothing types remain essentially the same with pants more often in ME and hosen more common with the Middle Ages...although both existed in the latter.

I do not include things from Rangers' Apprentice, although I love that series and world, nor anything from Emberverse...which I am not terribly enamored of anyway.

I am about to majorly upgrade and augment a fair bit of my gear. Among other things, I am going to experiment with a skirt similar to a wrap skirt...but having a pleat in the back rather than the wrap. We have no idea what the attire of women looked like in ME save for perhaps a bit of Eowyn and very generic descriptions of other females.This leaves some leeway but also brings with it caution; not to get too wild with it.

Dresses are not a problem being essentially a 'T' type tunic with gores in the skirt, which would come down no lower than the knee I think. This is from experimenting with petticoats and long dresses in the forest. Just no, not for being a Ranger or hunting dense forest. Tauriel in the Desolation of Smaug, while being invented, is quite plausible in her appearance. She can be looked to for inspiration. Too, Haleth, leader of one of the Clans of Men in the Elder days in Beleriand can be looked to as well. We have no idea what she wore; most folk put her in gowns ala the Middle Ages...but she was a warrior and a fierce one at need. Smart and courageous, I doubt she would go to war in gown and barbette.

The skirt I am thinking of is more problematic since we have no reference to skirts at all. Since they are simple to make and seem to have existed right alongside dress-tunics from the start, I do not have a problem including them. A wrap skirt is certainly possible. The Scythians had drawstring skirts and even some with waistbands and laces. As I say, I do not mind having a go.

All of that being said, I am looking at a kind of skirt-leggings combination...something else that has been with us from the beginning...even back to the early bronze age. Having shirt/blouse/tunics for tops is not a problem. The place to be wary is when some begin to put in waist cinchers and bustiers and whatnot. Armor yes, even, perhaps, a heavy 'cincher' belt with plates on it maybe. Not much though; we are talking Rangers here, not Light Infantry or Heavy Infantry, nor Cavalry.

I have tentatively settled on grey, green, and brown for the primary color combinations with both Summer and Winter weight variants. Hoods and cloaks, of course, and naturally the footwear.

All of this while keeping the minimalist concept firmly in mind.

All of it will be hand sewn. Might take me a little bit...but for one of the tops I have some nice hanky weight linen of a lovely mid-tone grey. Heavier linen for the skirt of a nice green. Brown leggings, probably with integral feet, and of course, the dark grey cloak and brown or black footwear.

Lots to do. Already diving in. :)

Eledhwen

Doings

Been a couple of months. I have been busy.

Lots of hand work...sewing in particular. I used to avoid it like the plague, hand sewing, but now I find it preferable to machines. No clue why.

Nalbinding, crochet, knitting...all in the learning stages.

Beading...big time here, for straps of various sort, garters and whatnot. I have done a lot of Woodland Indian type work of late, from lovely madder red wool leggings to a madder red wool wrap skirt and trade shirt. There is little real difference between hosen and braes and leggings and breechclout saving only that the braes are like shorts, completely enclosed and the hosen tie to them, and the breechclout is tucked through a waist belt or sash to which the leggings are connected. Also, hosen have feet, leggings don't. Generally speaking.

Honestly, there is enough overlap in these areas that I have no qualms about using much of it interchangeably. Much of the NA garment selection is almost identical to Scythian and Paleolithic examples...and pants were worn too. Hoods are present all around, and the rest of it is very similar. This is no surprise really, but apparently it is not well known among many folk.

Bows and arrows under construction. Beadwork and leather work under way. Fabric and basketry too. I may be ready to float some items for sale on Etsy before long...perhaps even start vending a bit at various events. The beginning, maybe, of a family trade.

Certes I am set to build a small and ultimately temporary forge along Japanese lines into the garden setup this year. I wish to make some metal items, mostly tools, and this is likely the only way I can do it without causing undue concern or attention.

Gardening to kick in soon; there are many new crops to have a go with this year. Many more herbs too.

Lots of outdoors time; I am out of doors more often than not now. Hiking, scouting, simply living life in the wider world. :) A grand tonic for this...thing...our species has created and called civilization.

Eledhwen