Fashion

Clothing

Clothing styles vary, but not as much as one might think. The most noticeable differences between the clothing of a commoner and a noble are in the materials used.

Smallclothes:

Smallclothes are relatively universal regardless of social station (though it is said that Dolls tend to forgo this layer all together). The best material suited for smallclothes is silk, though common folk tend to make due with linen. Smallclothes are worn next to the skin, this helps to reduce the need for cleaning the outer clothes and cuts back on wear and tear.

Men typically wear breeches and undershirt, while women wear undershirts and underskirts. Noble women occasionally add further layers between the smallclothes and the outer layer, adding volume to their dresses.

Fashion (Men):

The basic outfit for a man consists of a tunic and breeches or hose, whereas a woman would wear a dress. A belt both keeps the cloth under control and provides a place to hang pouches of money and food, and shoes or boots, typically of leather, protect the feet. Shoes are normally soft leather and are simply discarded when they wear out; boots are tougher and much more expensive. A cloak and hat complete the basic traveling outfit; both would normally be removed indoors.

Men favor tunics worn over breeches of canvas or thick material. Typically, men wear their hair short. Facial hair is common, though it is not unheard of for a man to go clean shaven in the warmer months. Knee-length leather boots are the most common types of footwear for men.

Fashion (Women):

Women are permitted to wear tunics and breeches, just as their male counterparts, but the majority of Isstia’s female population prefer dresses which are often designed with low necklines, tight tops, and long, floor (or ankle) length skirts.

Hair is almost always long and is worn either worn up in elaborate twists, often held in place by a circlet or clasp, or concealed under a headscarf. Make-up is usually bold, typically black kohl around the eyes and lips stained crimson or ruby red. Women like to wear jewelry, especially rings set with lovely stones of their clan, large hoop earrings, and pendants. Women tend to wear leather slippers in their day to day lives.