What makes good Costume Detail?

[@LivingAnachronism]

Skillshare is a really great resource, I am very happy to have them as a sponsor. The first 1,000 people to use this link get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/livinganachronism08221 This video is set for the laymen, I'm not a costume designer, but for larp and reenactment, I think we need a simple way to help us design our costumes, without needing a degree.

[@orenmontgomery8250]

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[@flumpet38]

Great video, lots of good tips. One aspect I think is worth considering in all this is "The Tiffany Problem". That being that the name Tiffany is a historically-attested name going back hundreds of years, but if you named a D&D character that, it wouldn't seem authentic. What *IS* authentic and what *feels* authentic are two different things. Our mental picture of the Middle Ages is built up by all sorts of media, both accurate and inaccurate. For some folks/games/etc actual authenticity is the goal. For some, it's more about the feeling of authenticity, and knowing which side of the line you want to come down on in your design can really help inform your choices.

[@LivingAnachronism]

That is a really good point. I myself thought that I came down on the "historical" side originally, but as I have considered it more, found myself more drawn to the romanticism and the fantasy. It's still really fun to learn about what is truly accurate, and what is an anachronism, so at least I know what I am doing is intentional and not just a mistake. Great comment Joshua, thank you

[@Glimmlampe1982]

@@LivingAnachronism I completely feel the same. As a kid and young adult I started out very fantasy obviously (LOTR, Prince Ironheart, D&D, Conan, last of the mohicans etc) Then I got interested in history, ventured deeper there and focused on that. But I did take the full turn and prefer fantasy and romantic. Yet I still love the accurate historic site, first because it's good to know where you took liberties (as you said), second it's great to understand how stuff actually works and third it's very useful to get weird ideas. Fantasy is mostly modern stuff made to look old, but the actual medieval stuff is mostly more strange to us than the highest fantasy. It's kind of similar with classes I like. I loved rangers. LOTR had a big influence, but also western stuff like last of the mohicans and Karl may (German 19th century wild west fantasy). Later I switched to knights and warriors. And came back full circle to rangers :D I just love the survivalist idea way more than heavy armor and front line battlefield

[@zxyatiywariii8]

This is such an excellent point, and why groups need to decide, together, whether they want more historical accuracy, or more fantasy, or some mix. So if (for instance) I was looking forward to a weekend of Middle English immersion, it kinda kills the mood for someone to say, "Forsooth, 'tis a totally gnarly lair!" (yeah, real example, lol) however, people mixing "thou" and "thee" just sounds non-grammatical, so it's not so jarring. *Btw, for anyone interested in Middle English, there's actually an app where "The Canterbury Tales" is read by a narrator who has brilliant pronunciation, so now everyone can hear how beautiful a language Middle English is, and how Chaucer used regional accents a bit like Mark Twain did, although less frequently. Listening to this -- like listening to period music -- is great background when I'm working on my costume, or even just packing.

[@MythicalHex]

it might be a spelling thing, a lot of modern names can be traced back hundreds of years but weren't always spelt exactly the same, so it would feel more authentic to name your character Tiphaine than it would Tiffany.

[@sophiejones3554]

@@MythicalHex not exactly. The spelling “Tiffany” is recorded in the Domesday book in fact (although spellings like “Tiphaine” and “Typhainie” also existed). However: it was a surname! In the premodern period, surnames were never given as first names. This started among African-Americans and only became a trend in the mid-20th Century. A medieval person would never give a surname as a given name (the two uses of “Lucy” are a convergence: the feminine name is from Latin “lucilla”, the surname is from Latin “lucens”). So, while it would be believable to have a knight named “Thomas Tiffany” it would not be plausible to have a lady named say “Tiffany Villiers” (as those are both surnames).

[@karladenton5034]

"Living in" your garb is an excellent point. (and it's why I wear an apron even when it's over sweat pants and not a long skirt!) So useful! Once you have gone on several 'campaigns' or LARPS, the wear patterns and repairs will start to happen automatically. BTW, be sure to include a "period" appropriate sewing kit with your daily load-out. I can't tell you how much time I've spent repairing other people's kit because I was the only person in camp with a needle and thread!!!!

[@LivingAnachronism]

Period sewing kit (or a container for needle and thread, anyway) is on my list of things to make. Thinking I will use horn.

[@karladenton5034]

@@LivingAnachronism a little rectangle of leather or cloth that folds/rolls up is pretty period for a long time - basically Viking clear through to US Civil War - called a 'husif' or 'housewife' in the later periods. Horn would make a nice needlecase. I've seen one turned from the very tip of a horn, leaving the 'pointy' end unpolished 'raw edge'. Very handsome.

[@KarlRoyale]

I've seen a small kit made from a chicken thigh bone. Cut off both ends, clean out and use wood to cap the ends. It was very simple but looked amazing. He had used a wood burner to add a pattern to the surface too.

[@dawsonehlke1290]

How intense do you get about period/historical needles and thread? Most reenactment people I've talked to use artificial sinew because real sinew is a bit of a process to acquire. Tandy sells linen thread, which I suppose is more historical than nylon/poly thread. Can I use any old needle or does it need to be hand forged.

[@zxyatiywariii8]

_"When you identify that an element doesn't work, you shouldn't rely on other elements to fix it."_ Yes this!

[@jordansorenson698]

"Just because they have added something, they have accomplished their task". This is the theme of the Rings of Power show.

[@talosvalcoran8730]

"wear your costume" is really one of the best advices, and sadly it's given by far too little people. Thanks for being one who does!

[@RampantOracle]

I'd be interested to see this outfit with a brown gambeson. I have a feeling the gambeson doesn't work mostly because of its color. Solid black tends to stand out in a natural environment and rangers are supposed to blend in.

[@sophiejones3554]

“there’s two much black” yes! Aragorn’s costume in the movie isn’t actually black (well, until the end obviously). It’s actually green, gray and gold! Ngila never said this in so many words, but I think she must have taken the colors from the Ring of Barahir: which is spot-on thematically. I would totally buy your final look as a costume for Aragorn I (grandfather of King Elessar). It’s similar enough to be clearly the same culture, but the duckcloth on the jerkin and things like that suggest another time period. Also a ranger in the LotR era would just be a lot scruffier since they were pretty consistently doing heavy fighting: but Aragorn I’s chieftaincy was much more peaceful. And while you don’t look like Aragorn II Elessar, you could definitely be in his family tree somewhere.

[@zooh8017]

I’m so glad you pointed this out bc it was the secret sauce to making that costume so perfect! The fact that everything is dyed so subtly adds so much depth and texture to the costume

[@Siansonea]

I think for me the key takeaway is layering. A character like this travels and lives outdoors in all weather conditions, so he will be prepared for all weather conditions. He has layers that he adds and subtracts depending on what the weather is doing and what he is doing. He has to carry a lot of gear, so he'll have that in various pouches and packs. He isn't concerned about how it looks, he's alone most of the time, so the colors will all have the look of whatever was available when he needed that specific garment. All of his garments will be mended, darned and careworn. Everything has to withstand getting wet and muddy, and has to be cleaned in a natural body of water with whatever tooks and materials he carries with him. He should probably look a bit shabbier than you do in your final look, this version of the ranger must have just spent a longer than usual period in a pastoral or urban setting, and has had access to mending and cleaning services from tradespeople.

[@marthdaeglin]

I think it's really fascinating that you can say things like "Ranger from Lord of the Rings" or "I don't look like Aragorn" and just about every one of us immediately thinks of Peter Jackson's trilogy. It certainly attests to the quality and thoughtfulness of the design in those movies, but I wonder what kinds of images might have popped into our minds back through the decades.

[@charlessapp1835]

You nailed it! That is a LOTR ranger look. The gambeson makes you look like a professional soldier going on a quest and roughing it.

[@SeleneSalvatore]

With gambeson is more Faramir look or Rangers go to war with orcs.

[@kathrynrose4408]

Yeah, the gambeson still felt LOTR, just more Gondor than Ranger

[@khodexus4963]

I don't make physical costumes the way you do (at least not on any sort of regular basis) but I do design characters, and while not everything you bring up in your videos is new to me, they often get me to think of things in a different way. I really enjoyed seeing you building a costume in layers, as that's what I tend to do when drawing character designs. I like to build up from the underclothes to the outermost wear, and that can help me figure out what works and what doesn't one step at a time. It also helps inform how outer layers should be worn, and how they will drape. Surprisingly similar process in a different medium.

[@LivingAnachronism]

I wish I was good at drawing

[@khodexus4963]

@@LivingAnachronism Well, like any skill, the most important factor is practice.

[@wolf1066]

For some of my cosplay clothes, I wore them as much as possible, slept in them, washed them frequently - basically tried to compress months of ownership into as short a time as possible and force them to age and wear in the way they would normally do so. Spending time in your costume is vital - you learn what problems there are and how you fix them, you learn what effort it takes and the shortcuts you make, and all the choices you make to improve practicality.

[@LivingAnachronism]

Definitely agree!

[@AlatheD]

"Wearing your garments as if they are actually clothes. Which they should be." I very much agree with this, we call our garments garb. As someone who does medieval as well as mountain man re-creations, and who is also involved in theatre, I make a distinction between garb and costumes. In theatre, we have costumes. Many people who are not involved (the audience, if you will), but see us doing these things call them costumes, because all they know is it's probably not everyday clothing.

[@spider1g5]

This is awesome! As a child I binged 'The Making of' dvds after every LoTR film, a good example of detail is the location shoot for Edoras, they flew around looking for something that would work with the description penned by Tolkien. Saw a hill in the middle of a valley and got to sketching (John Howe & Alan Lee are the GOAT) the rest is history.

[@mcdakwater3966]

Congratulations, this is the first sponsor if I'm not mistaken!

[@LivingAnachronism]

It is! Thank you! I've had several offers, but have been picky

[@GeraltofRivia22]

@@LivingAnachronism glad to hear it. Seen too many channels who's entire identity is video game criticism take sponsorships from shitty mobile games like Raid Shadow Legends. Really undermines credibility.

[@DunkinHills11]

Always love your stuff, and great note on how the neckline can impact the feel of the outfit. I’ve been trying to get the middle earth look recently and it never felt right, but I’ve been doing the same thing of over structuring the top half

[@LivingAnachronism]

There's so many layers and garments it is SUPER easy to over do it. Especially since so many of those layers drape over the torso.

[@janetchennault4385]

I have been enjoying your videos. Thank you for making them. I have done armored broadsword fighting and reenactment in the SCA for over 40 years, some of that in equestrian context, and I do have some insights I would like to share. In general, things made in the past had more individuality to them, simple because they were not mass produced. Categorically adding embroidery, fancy stitching, and decoration to everything that is wood or fabric or leather does reflect what we find in most of the items discovered in archeological context. Even the seams of shirts and tunics often had fancy stitches holding the pieces together (not just straight stitch). So you can make purchased shirts and tunics look handmade by elaborating on them; use same-color thread if you want to be subtle. When something tears, patch it. The purpose of a gambeson is to either (a) be armor (ie you cannot afford better) or (b) to go under armor and keep the armor from biting you; a high collar on a gambeson keeps your gorget from chaffing your neck. If you are not wearing a gambeson for one of those purposes, don't wear it. Gambesons will also keep you warm under your armor when it is very cold (experience!) but they will trap heat if you are fighting in 100F weather (more experience!) and you may fall over from heat exhaustion (observation). White is very visible (a scout would avoid it); off-white is probably more common (linen); black dye was very expensive, so unless you had black sheep in your area, black says that you are rich. While there are examples of knitting and njalbinding in ancient fabrics, the general use of knitted clothes is modern. Use woven fabric instead.

[@zxyatiywariii8]

Good points. Also re black -- I've spun wool from black sheep, and there's often a subtle undertone to it -- very visible in direct sunlight -- which isn't present in the uniformly-flat-black of modern dyes. I know some people can use highly-diluted bleach to bring out more of a natural look to modern black, and some have even used commercial hair dye that comes with its own undertones; but dyeing isn't my skill set, so I stick with natural fibers, that's just easier.

[@janetchennault4385]

@@zxyatiywariii8 Small world: I am a spinster too. While I enjoy spinning naturally colored wool, I also like to tear up perfectly innocent plants and see if I can coax some dye out of them. Do you use a spinning wheel or a drop spindle? Do you also weave?

[@CreepyMF]

I wanna be like Barnabas in real life, having people ask me about my backstory would be wonderful.

[@KimGibsonfiberlover]

I love the final look! A young Aragorn…perhaps….but a young Halbarad? Nailed it!

[@eLokiEah]

Just in time before my next LARP 😊 Please keep up the good work, I am so glad I found your channel!

[@LivingAnachronism]

Thank you Kamilla! Enjoy your first larp!

[@neoaliphant]

I remember when making saxon costume, several people said i need to hand sew not machine sew to make it look authentic, i said the saxons didnt have clothing loking like it was sewn by a stoned orangutan, lots of hand stitching by people that know what theyre doing look machine stitched. BIG TIP however is not to use syntheic thread on natural fibres, they cut through like cheesewire.....

[@LivingAnachronism]

That is a good tip, I didn't know that!

[@neoaliphant]

@@LivingAnachronism i remember my first pure wool tunic, constantly getting seems ripped, varies on the material, but you see it in modern clothes too,

[@ColoradoStreaming]

Not to promote another channel to take away from this but Townsends is a really good show that does a lot of historical reenactments from the 1700s including cooking, crafting clothing and tools etc. He even reads the diaries from people that were alive from that era. It would be cool if you guys had a podcast discussion or something.

[@LivingAnachronism]

I would love that, that would be a dream. He's got a great channel, big inspiration for me.

[@WinterSolstice221]

The gloves were a fantastic addition! Aragorn's got only one glove on most of the time, and often his opposite shirt sleeve comes down over his wrist past his bracer/vanguard. Doing something like that would also add to that Middle Earth ranger look. The look with the gambeson added at the end looks great as well, although it leans a just little into a more Boromir-style silhouette.

[@Keptaro]

Soothing to see a man with such knowledge and experience debate with himself about his garment. Makes me feel better. Thanks to your tips, I can do it even more intensely now

[@thenerdfaraway]

Kramer, you may not look like Aragorn, but you certainly have a Numenorean look about you. I think you belong among the Rangers, and would certainly be glad of your guidance through Middle-Earth if I were to venture outside of the Shire. Also - nicely done video with good information! I appreciate all the work you put in here, and I think my own cosplay will improve thanks to you!

[@als3022]

I have a few pieces of costumes that I have put together that go to several different costumes. My medieval linen shirt that was sewn by hand I have worn several times. Your statement of living in the costume and seeing how it works goes for this. It's been washed several times, has some stains from just sweat or from the gambeson I wear from time to time. It's an old useful shirt that I couldn't replace because it was sewn by a friend's mother and convincing her to do it again would be impossible. (I traded cookies for the work, and she can't have them anymore. -_-) Informative, love these kinds of videos.

[@LivingAnachronism]

Linen shirts are fantastic, they can serve as the base for so many different looks!

[@texasbeast239]

In D&D Forgotten Realms, the dwarves that live in the southern half of the continent, the gold dwarves, have lived a long life of success and prosperity. This shows in their garb, with FANCY everything, from gold-plated jewel-encrusted armor down to mega-embroidered fine fabrics underneath and elaborately braided beards with gem accoutrements above. But northern or shield dwarves have had a history of struggle, fighting for every inch of new land and every new mine. They have stretched themselves too far, and then had to conserve what they had. And this shows in their outfits too. Shield dwarf armor is supposed to look blackened and hammered like cast iron, and their clothes just shades of brown and gray. They're dreary attitudes have tended to match their attire. There are occasional micro-details here and there, but northern dwarves have mostly been dark and morose. That is, until the last century or so of Realm history. Greater cooperation with outside races has resulted in new blood and ideas being introduced to the clans, and that has cheered the stout folk up a bit. Some dwarves opt for more color now, and maybe even a little filigree on their armor. More importantly, you can see a smile on their faces even when they don't have a beer in hand. The garb should match the persona, and there should be a reason for both. A grumpy 'tude perfectly complements a depressing outfit, and a loud one goes hand in hand with a proud and accomplished warrior.

[@Visigoth_]

*Great Video* (I agree, this is definitely the way to think about it.) 😁👍 Research *Material Culture* under Anthropology (for some inspiration).

[@TheSwedishRanger]

I think you really nailed the look. I could easily see you wandering the wilds of Middle-earth. And I thought that the gambeson's short sleeves looked very reminiscent of Faramir's outfit. If I may, I would really like your opinion on something. I'm writing a fantasy book, and one thing I like to do is create the outfits and armors of different characters and factions in real life, to see what works and what doesn't. Currently I'm working on the outfit of one of the main characters, a Dark Elf with a sort-of-Rogue-ish style. I won't bore you with all the details, but he used to be a monster hunter, then-turned into fugitive to save his friend from certain death. He's also fascinated with alchemy, and often carries vials and bottles, and frequently finds himself picking herbs and flowers for potions. I've made a very short video on said outfit, anf I would be so grateful if you could take a look at it, maybe give me some advice if you have any. It's my latest uploaded video. Sorry for writing so much, I just really enjoy costuming, and I really enjoyed this video!

[@LivingAnachronism]

I'll give it a watch. (Edit: Just watched) Looks good! I like the arm armor especially, and that it goes beyond a simple vambrace and will protect the elbow and hands. I understand it might have been a template that you were working from, or other consideration, but the pauldron design with the straps always strikes me as a bit of a weak point. Those straps get cut, you loose a pauldron. In fact, I am thinking it might make sense to try having the hood go on top of the armor, instead. The straps may hold down the hood and limit mobility when the hood is up. This is a great approach to creating characters for a book, I love it. I wonder if it would be possible to create vials or bottles of the right size out of something like horn, instead of glass or ceramic, as those would break very easily. Especially if he is working with caustic substances, a vile breaks, and that's a bad day. Keep in touch with this, it's really cool. Cheers, Linus!

[@TheSwedishRanger]

@@LivingAnachronism Sorry for taking so long to answer: different timezones and all. Let me first just say thank you so much for checking it out and taking the time to give me some advice, I really appreciate it! I actually tried having the hood over the pauldrons, but it was very uncomfortable and bulky. It doesn't actually restrict my movement at all havig the hood underneath, as as matter of fact, the hood prevents a lot of chafing from the rough edges of the pauldrons. Bottles made out of horn? That's ingenious. Though I doubt I could create them myself, and they would probaly be expensive to buy ready-made. I think the outfit itself will have to have glass bottles, but I'll definitely find a use for horn bottles. It's a great idea, one that I would never have thought of myself. Thank you so much!

[@FoggyFogzmeister]

Yo, the inclusion of the gambeson makes you look like a total boss! I love all the variations but the last outfit, with the gambeson, was super cool. I could definitely imagine someone character wearing it in a LotR movie!

[@RebecaCabreraAbad]

I thought the same! The gambeson gives Boromir vibes.

[@Inv1cto]

@@RebecaCabreraAbad Yes, it's a broader, stronger look.

[@Justin_Black]

Sponsorship! Yes! You've been putting out to much high quality content to be doing it without getting anything back! Keep the beard, IT LOOKS EPIC.

[@henrikjoden4016]

Wonderfull video! Once again you articulate something that has been gnawing at the back of my mind as I watch how TV-shows, cosplayers or LARP enthusiasts design their costumes. I think you struck the nail on the head by switching the thought process around and not seeing "details" as final additions or finishing touches, but rather authentic nuances built on the foundations of the character. I really enjoyed the appendix to the Hobbit and seeing how John Howe and Alan Lee built the look of the dwarfs from basic geometric shapes that correlated with the characteristics they were trying to emphasise. It has really influenced how I think about costumes and character design. With this in mind, I think you are really onto something where you talk about the open neckline and also keeping the upper torso more soft and slender. It both mimics the debictions in the movies better but also plays into the long, slender and refined siluette of the elves combined with the functional ruggedness of men that are what the Númenóreans are all about in my oppinion.

[@johncounts2182]

I've been wanting to try out linen clothing for a while, but in America, (as you know) it's difficult to find, and much of Amazon seems to be mixed material fabrics. (I'm trying to get closer to 100% fabrics in my clothing, it makes it easier to compare what's actually different about them) what are some good sources for linen clothing? not just costume fare, but for everyday use as well? you're doing good stuff, keep it up!

[@MrNitrox91]

Black was extremely difficult/expensive to dye in the past. It was also kinda the church's domain for a very long time. Be sure to have a damn good reason for wearing it, like playing a wealthy bishop.

[@fennwenn3317]

Trinkets of sentimental value can work if you have a properly sentimental character. But regardless; most people dress for practicality, and hence, you have to think about what would be practical for them/you to wear. Which is why I like these videos.

[@courtneycaitlin8943]

I feel like you’re one of the younger Dunedain asked by Gandalf to watch over the Shire but accidentally got adopted by the Tooks and now you are invited to their birthday parties every year, especially because you’re a weirdo who GIVES them presents.

[@LauraJdogmom]

I would urge people not to overthink every detail of their costumes or their backstories. For instance, the "staff" story--yes, you might have it because it was you master's dying wish. However, you could just as well have it because you do a lot of walking over uneven terrain, and the staff makes it easier. Not everything needs to be complicated. In real life, the stuff we have that has no deep meaning, no emotional attachments.

[@Hk-ox4bb]

My favorite realistic character design is Joel from TLOU He doesn’t have many details but those he has (like the gas mask on his side, the light on his shoulder and the broken watch his daughter gave him and the only thing that doesn’t have an in-game utility) are memorable Anything else would have been too much, I dislike overdesigned characters and I am glad when I see more simple outfits

[@Visigoth_]

4:41 🤣👍 Oh I love this... good stuff. (this video is worth a subscription)

[@woltews]

OK 1- start with these 3 questions - Who am I , where am I and what am I doing ? 1A- who am I includes what technology level do I have and how much storage and transport do I have at my disposal and how wealthy am I 1B- what am I doing is the big one ie - if you have armour why are you wearing armour, what is it defending you from and how would that particular armour do that ? it will not look authentic to have things that do not help you do what you are intended to be doing ! You will look more authentic if you have things that will help you do the thing your story has you doing . ie If you are a travelling merchant in middle earth- You will need something to trade and if you do not have a horse and wagon it will have to be something small and light .What is small and light but worth enough to bother travelling to trade it ? ( spice , pipe weed , pigments, gold , silver , mithril , medicine , precious gems ......) . If you are carrying a lot of expensive stuff this will make you attractive to thieves so you might want a way to conceal it and also arm + armour yourself but not appear to have arms and armour also. You will want soft armour and a dagger or short sword that can be hidden under clothing along with a bag to carry your trade goods in that can look like a bag carrying extra clothing or camp equipment . 1C- where am I answers a lot of questions about your clothing if you are in a frozen tundra you are going to look different the on a ship near the equator , it will also answer a lot of questions about the kind of damage your clothing and equipment might have experienced. 2- what happened up till now and how would that effect my stuff and me ? 2A- if you are the merchant from before, you have probably been a merchant for a while and likely do not get a new bag for each trip so carry your bag around with heavy stuff in it and see where it starts to break then reinforce those areas , put it down in the mud and the dust and near a fire .If you have been walking for a long time with a heavy pack you might have soar feet or walk stuped over or you might complain about the pain in your back or joints . To make walking with your heavy pack you might want a walking stick ,to fix your pack when it gets damaged you might want a sewing kit you can keep handy in a pouch on your belt and a water bottle for your thirst , a pouch with flint and steel and tinder , a bag with dry fruit and nuts to eat while you walk , you might have a map in a leather case to guide you ,a hidden bag to hold you coins , a pipe to smoke , a picture of your spouse if you have one , . You might want a mark on your clothing so when you can give clothing to a washer woman and then tell what peaces were yours when you come to pick it up like Ψ and so it would be on all your clothing and maybe even other non clothing items . 2B- were there big events in your past that might have effected you or your stuff like were you just robed ? do you have old injures that effect how you use things or might some of your stuff have been damaged in a flood, fie , attack ? Did you used to be more wealthy and you have say things make expensive leather that has now had to be paced with fabric because you can no longer afford leather ? Were you recently injured and there are still blood stains ?

[@abigailmitchell4851]

This is actually fantastic advice fir modern wardrobe as well. I have had some pieces for years and new items get as much thought and care as old ones. Using the variety I never look like I've worn the same outfit twice and can accommodate for any situation or occasion.

[@taxsylrc1598]

Question: if a person with sensory issues to certain materials is trying to make or wear an article of clothing historically made with said material; what could one do to make the item touchable? Lets say the item is a woolen cloak, is it possible to make it with an alternative synthetic fabric with similar properties but not reactive to the person? If not, what would one do if it is something like an undershirt or other clothing?

[@Fuzzycat16]

Your Clothes should reflect your lifestyle your job and your environment. It's often Daily wear and should feel like daily wear.

[@texasbeast239]

The woodland camouflage pattern that the US military started adopting c. 1980 looked super dark and bold when bought brand new. It really stood out in pictures of troops on wilderness environments. This was so noticeable that troops re ally had to add vegetation on top of their camo in order to try to blend in. But over time, the WC came faded with wear and tear, and older uniforms actually began to look pretty good against a wider variety of backgrounds. I think was because of a high cotton content in the fabric. It absorbed dyes readily when new, and almost too much. But as the fabric abraded and pilled, the color drifted away. Nowadays, several modern military camouflages go for that faded look, right from the get. Who wants to look like a fresh green newborn straight out of basic training with her clothes looking like they just came right off the rack?

[@tessatalmi4252]

May I propose a detail for archers. As a OT archer that is used to do archery in a forest an Arrow brush ( basically a large tassel made from wool) is invaluable for me cause it makes cleaning Arrows on the go super easy. + It looks really cool dangling from your quiver. I think if a saw someone LARPing as an archer with such a tassel I'd immediately believe that they actually know what they are doing ( and subsequently have a lot of blood that needs to be cleaned off their arrows)

[@jngarrettart]

Loved this video! I think the final costume looks great, and I really enjoyed how you tested and analyzed the different pieces of clothing. This kind of thought process is exactly why I also love the extra features on the LotR films. Details were purposeful, and constantly filtered through the lens of character, story, and history. The feeling of believability and immersion this approach can give a fantasy setting is huge! Ok, feeling super inspired now to get to sketching. 😁

[@lukec6721]

Dude your videos keep getting better and better. This is something I needed to hear; often I'll spend too long trying to "patch" over garb that isn't working without realizing why adding stuff just gets things more confused. Inevitably I end up changing the outfit from the ground up before getting something good, and now I know why and what to look for. That part about wrists, elbows, and shoulders really got me right in the feels. I have a linen undertunic that needs a new patch on the sleeves every time I wear it these days, but it's my favorite piece of garb and I can't let it go...

[@urskaprotogen]

Tbh i read the thumnail as: Can you "ass" detail?

[@wiederganger1959]

I only just discovered your channel today, and I've been binging for the past few hours. Dude you remind me so much of a younger me, it's almost uncanny. Except you actually went adventuring out there, while I drowned my wanderlust at the bottom of a bottle. Stay strong and keep doing what you are doing, brother, you are a shining example to your generation! *Subscribed*

[@SeleneSalvatore]

Clothes should look like were lived in especially for wondering characters like rangers, witchers, druids. This characters are not princess in the castle that should look pristine or Cleric with his holly mission that should look clean and monastic. Clothes should tell story of character, convey way of living also give clues to emotional state and traits of character. Like Druidess character: ankle length skirt or dress, layered look for all weather conditions, staff for walking and self defence and bag on one side and poutches on other that can contain small needed items and sturdy knife. Druidess can also have travel companion ponny or donkey that can carry her heavier stuff needed for long journeys.

[@batou1976]

I’d say figure out a way to keep the gambeson. To me, it’s a detail which sells the idea that while this character is a wanderer, he is also a warrior. A gambeson is armor, *protection*, and warriors understand protection= survival. Also, DO NOT SHAVE!! 😱

[@LivingAnachronism]

I might be able to dye it or weather it so the black is less harsh. Or I'll use this as an opportunity to get a new one!

[@alphattus1503]

@@LivingAnachronism could possibly bleach them aswell depending on what kind of colour you’re hoping for, great video Kramer

[@AvianSolaris]

This was so helpful!!! I’ve been trying to do research into building an authentic kit, and this video is a wonderful guide! I have heard about weathering clothing a bit via powders and dyes, but living in the clothing is a great way to add authenticity, plus it’s fun to wear garb in general! I love that you focused on authenticity instead of detail! Thank you for making this video! Also, I love your outfit combos, especially the final one without the gambeson! It definitely has the forest ranger vibe!

[@LivingAnachronism]

Thank you faith! Glad you found it to be helpful

[@brandonfigueroa7399]

Congrats on the sponsor, you have just left the shire, next stop Mordor (million subs). keep the beard and mustache.

[@LivingAnachronism]

Thanks Brandon!

[@manahtar]

Since you mentioned you looked like a pirate, I'd love some content related to that kind of look!, I always try to achieve kind of a fantasy pirate-y look on medieval fairs where I live, and its clearly an Anachronism, but I enjoy that look more.

[@August_Mannaz]

Bro that thumbnail goes hard 🔥

[@texasbeast239]

Merchant Kramer...Ranger Kramer.

[@f23as]

"If you have to explain why something is there in order for it to make sense, then it wasn't specific enough" is the best advice I could ever tell anyone about costume or character design

[@loverlei79]

Technically you look like Aragorn from the Rankin Bass LOTR

[@LivingAnachronism]

Thank you! That was the first film version I saw. I have loved it since

[@MDPrepper]

You might need some lighter earthtone colors. Light browns and light greens.

[@myhandsaslanguage]

Stumbled across your channel, and I’ve been loving these videos on costume. I’ve loved costumes ever since I was a kid, and now that I’m an adult who has learned some basic sewing skills, I am slowly working towards creating some fantasy outfits. These tips were very helpful!

[@AngeloCarceroni]

I really don't like how people deliberately destroy his own garment to make then worn. You can simply use it and they will be naturally worn, especially if you are a active person.

[@zxyatiywariii8]

Exactly! And then the wear looks authentic because it IS authentic. One look that Hollywood often gets wrong is to have hems with fake fraying so they look more like American "trashed" jeans from Macy's for $200. Hems don't naturally fray so attractively and symmetrically. Natural fray looks different.

[@emilythequeen1]

I think a rough spun knitted shawl would look cool with your look! This was a great video

[@Matsudai]

That's a good thing to know about cotton. I was just about to make a Samurai/brigandine hybrid armor out of cotton. Maybe I should look into other fabrics that won't wick up or maybe waterproofing... We'll see. Lol

[@j.nereim9055]

Cotton makes sense historically for something Japanese-styled. That is what they had to work with. What may be helpful is to look at where cotton fabric was used historically, and what kind of cotton fabric. Yeah, for a European medieval regular person, cotton would be odd.

[@Matsudai]

@@j.nereim9055 thank you, that's really good to know, I'm pulling inspiration from a few places they would have lived and using some anachronisms as needed for budget. Lol But I think this character mostly was raised in Japan so it would make sense to use what they used, so I'll look into that a bit.

[@jaymorrison3645]

Kramer is the Sherlock Holmes of his genre. His attention to detail is astounding!

[@nuparadigm4419]

Your blanket statements to “not use cotton” is problematic for some regions. Here in Oklahoma where the summer heat is oppressive, and there normally is always at least some wind, cotton holding moisture can be beneficial due to wicking action providing evaporative cooling. I participated in the SCA for a few decades in Oklahoma and Texas (and still play Amtgard) and I found most other fabrics tend to not breathe sufficiently to wear in summer. Even linen was not as comfortable as cotton in the summers here in my experience. So be aware different regions use different textiles for a reason. There is a good reason that cotton was prevalent in coastal Egypt and India, places with intense heat that also typically have breezes that provide wicking action. Local conditions may make one fabric more suitable than what is most functional where you reside. I love your content, keep on living anachronistically!

[@LivingAnachronism]

Good point! Thank you!

[@j.nereim9055]

Sometimes cotton is more affordable and more available. Really messing up three yards of cotton muslin can be a bother. Doing that to linen can be a "tragedy."

[@stupidYoutube]

That neck vulnerability you mention... Reminds me of The Princess Bride. I'm thinking of Montoya specifically.

[@IodoDwarvenRanger]

It took me a while to get time to do this, but here's my thoughts on all your different outfits, it's just my opinions (this is your gear, you should choose what looks best to you) and sorry it's so long: 11:11 I'm a fan of everything but the white tunic, pure white doesn't really have the medieval aesthetic, and even if it is slightly off white it would still need to be quite a bit darker to pass as a natural linen, and it's too light a color to look convincing in the woods as a ranger. It puts me too much in mind of a pirate 11:27 The look of a long coat works, but the gambeson being open stops it being as functional as armor, this would look more convincing if it were a long coat made from leather or boiled wool so it looked intended to be for warmth instead of like armor used incorrectly 11:46 them being the same length is a good idea, but I find that it also means you loose the layered effect that makes a good costume seem to flow, but that is much more of a "cinema" detail and not a practical concern 11:54 Yes that shirt is perfect 12:10 I don't really see the collar to be that much of a problem, however the color of the gambason is possibly to dark but you can't really change that 13:17 absolutely too much black, as a general rule if I'm designing any costume or kit intended for middle earth I try to totally avoid black if I can, because if you study the WETA costume designs black hardly ever shows up and a lot of the colors that look black are actually just dark shades of green etc... 13:46 Yes, vambraces work, however they are not absolutely needed to look middle earth 13:59 grey is much better, it might help to have a base layer tunic/cardigan with slightly looser sleeves. However keep in mind that looser sleeves will make your arms/shoulders look broader, when the sense of scale is taken away this will make you look short, looking short is what I want but rangers are tall so don't go to far with this ;) 14:26 so I guess my detail is that I am to lazy for laces, three buttons is just about all I ever bother with LOL 15:31 For a ranger, the hood would work better in more of an earth tone, possibly grey, green or brown. Maybe you could braid or tie back some of your hair but leave some strands of hair outside of the hood to keep the long hair ranger look but reduce the volume that would get in the way of the hood? 15:58 An exposed neck line does give the middle earth vibe, but like me you may change your mind in the winter cold 16:30 I love fingerless gloves, but to me anyway knit doesn't feel middle earth*, knit is also likely to totally fall apart if you cut one thread, a possible disadvantage? I have a tutorial video on how to make wool broadcloth fingerless gloves, feel free to check it out (or not, but it might be helpful) *it was used in the dwarves costumes in the hobbit, and done well it kinda worked but still seemed slightly off, probably because the dwarves in question were meant to be wandering folk (almost like a ranger, so it's justifiable), but on dwarves living somewhere grand and wealthy like Erebor, knit would seem wrong 16:58 That cloak is perfect. I've been giving this some thought lately, the ruana cloak is a useful design, mainly just because of backpacks, but there is something "o so middle earth" about a front fastening hooded cloak like that, possibly a ruana is more suited to a dwarf because Tolkien described them as having backpacks and separate hoods, but I'm still not sure, the bockstien hood feels more dwarf to my eye. This is the point where looks overtake practicality LOL

[@williambennett7935]

Excellent video, I enjoyed the "process of elimination" that you went through; just as informative as the "final version" which other channels might have simply cut to without the trial and error learning.

[@DowntheRabbitHole0]

Hey Kramer, not sure if you've seen the new Prey film but the main character in that does a weird lasso trick with her hatchet. Might be interested to see a vid from you discussing if such a trick is even possible. (be careful though, it looks dangerous)

[@tonystoops7802]

As a bald guy, I wish my hair would bunch up.😂

[@zxyatiywariii8]

One good thing about being a bald guy -- even if you get caught in bad rain, you're not stuck with what feels like a long wet woolen liripipe hanging down your back! 🤣

[@josephturner7569]

I had a mate called Ritchie. His nickname was Mabozza. Say it quickly. This was Glasgow.

[@ariverdreaming]

Wow this is video is blowing my mind I’m so inspired to approach my looks from authenticity rather than just accessorizing.

[@PleaseNThankYou]

Pull your hair back. Serves two purposes. Creates space and color separation from dark clothing. Yes, you have beautiful hair.

[@DrachenGothik666]

I like the note about having a *reason* for each piece in your outfit and kit. When I build a costume (or set of garb), I consider things like culture, whether the person spends much time outdoors, if they travel (beyond the local areas), and what they're doing while there. So all of my stuff gets weathered and distressed from the beginning before I even wear it to an event, to give that authentic feel and look. I also like to live in my garb, too (partially 'cuz I just like the clothes and sometimes wear them with my regular street stuff), so some of it looks well-loved, dirt, rub-spots, frays and sweat and all... No one likes to wear a stiff linen shirt, and when the character has been living in it for a year, it shouldn't look brand new. That shirt should be soft as butter, stained at the right points, beat up in the right places (I'm fond of trashing the elbows and wrists of a shirt, and sometimes, if a seam 'pops'--say, at the armpit, I don't always repair it right away) and hanging like silk off one's body. I also don't worry much over stains, 'cuz they're part of the garment's life. I wash things, of course, but we all know some stains just refuse to come out. LOL I also like adding in patches, spot repairs, little things like a simple trim on various exposed edges, like cuffs and neckline, 'cuz trim was not just decoration--it was *protection* of those places on a garment to keep them from raveling. Anything leather gets the stain and scratch treatment with fine sandpaper and oil to polish up heavy wear spots where a piece might be rubbed a lot from movement, rough things like a rasp to simulate a knife or sword strike, or I'll even have someone drive over my clothes and leathers to beat the snot out of them (though I do take off any metal pieces I can so they don't get damaged to non-functionality), that sort of thing. I like using a dryer, too, to soften things up. Just lightly dampen the items, first, so they have some weight to them. Tossing in a couple of dryer balls or a pair of clean sneakers helps to beat things up nicely, too. Just use medium, low or no heat, depending on what you've put in there--*never* high heat for anything. Leather needs to be no heat, for example, unless you want stiff, cracking, dried out, burnt-looking leathers. Linen can be medium heat, and wool needs to be low to no heat, just tumble dry so it doesn't felt or shrink, though I prefer to roll my wool in a towel to absorb water, then lay it flat to dry (hanging it distorts the garment).

[@JezielProdigalSon]

Hey man. Sorry for being off-topic and abit personal, but are you half-phillipinian? My wife is half-phillipinian and we have been discussing your ethnicity. You dont have to answer, if you dont feel comfortable with it. Thanks. And thanks for your superb 10/10 videos.

[@Helliconia54]

your "gambeson does not look like a gambeson. Looks like a "highway man" over coat. Black, real black would have been very difficult AND expensive to make.

[@the_arcanum]

Huzzah! I found the Atomic Snail of Middle Earth! Loved how you brought us to understand the design principles of a costume through a direct case study. Well done! Subbed!

[@thebelfastvikingmartinbrow3603]

I remember watching a video of yours and you was looking for a wee leather whiskey or mead bottle. Jelling dragon UK do a small 200mill for £15.15 including UK postage.

[@thomaspopa3354]

Nothing boils my blood more than people answering noobs asking for critiques with “oh just add pouches!”. Like, great. Those pouches sure defined this character!

[@StuartGrant]

You, and your viewers, may find Tod's video on aging (giving a history to) scabbards, knives and swords useful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sInLgWtqicR3Zs0

[@IodoDwarvenRanger]

That is an excellent video, in terms of what I think about the different aspects of your kit I will have to write a more detailed comment later when I have time, so for now this comment is for the algorithm :) and I'm glad to see you have a sponsor now

[@KohakuRyuKazes]

Cloak with no gambeson, yeah that was a young LotR ranger. Gambeson with cloak looped us back to Witcher. Full gloves too.

[@maraheather5584]

I'm bit sad, that you so much in love with Peter Jackson LOTR films, as sinse the begining I beliew him to be Saurons agend send to destroy Middlearth in people's hearts and minds (not saing tha Amazon better). But as for costume: whiye shirts look more practical to me, as it is easear to keep them clean by boiling. But bright color tunics could also work as historically acrued (blue and red espessially, and even in combine). For blaser, if you have problems with black may be brown colors should work for you? It look Middlearthy and rangery, as comuflage. Also did you chech different typies of tartan colors, as highlander costume was a lot for "rangering" in practis. As for hands, instead of leather things, that looks, but doesn't feel useful, you may use falsh sleeves in different coloures. It is historically accured for two directions: you may have additional knitted sleeves for worms and highly decorated (broccade for example) sleevs for "special occasions".

[@markbyrd7710]

Never thought of larping before, but watched a few of your videos... And man that sounds fun. Been playing ttrpgs for several years now. This seems like a fun step.

[@jordansorenson698]

Slight tangent, but I just wanted to point out, I was really jammi'n to the background music.

[@NickLantzy]

I love your videos! One question that is always nagging at the back of my mind though is how do I find events to attend? Am I searching for a LARP or a Renaissance Faire or what?

[@LivingAnachronism]

Really depends what you are looking for. Renaissance fairs are essentially shows, there are some games, but you are more or less an audience member. Larps are games and much more interactive. I just use google and search for things in the area. Most states I have been to have some sort of Medieval fair.

[@texasbeast239]

There is an organization called SCA, or the Society for Creative Anachronism. See if they are doing any kind of workshops open to the general public.

[@mirabellegoldapfel6256]

In europe you often find presentation stalls with Larp groups at your local comic con- so, local Larpers. There is also a magazine sold (Larp-Zeit) and a web calendar with events. I actually got to Larping by meeting some cosplayers at my local anime/manga convention- and if you ever see a knight in full plate armour or a really scary looking orc at a comic con, it's 9 out of 10 times a Larper. Ren faires are great for just wearing your garb out and taking some photos, but being around normal dressed people you will get some looks. At a Larp, everyone is dressed weird and it is so COOL.

[@neffomp]

I remember one year, after a trip to my state's Renaissance Festival, my mom asked me if I wanted her to wash my cloak, and I quickly told her no, took it outside, and shook it off just once. Since my costume I'm building is that of a ranger, I want the cloak to get dusty, dirty, and faded. That said, "dont wash your cloak" won't work for everything. Think about the type of character you are playing.

[@katherinec6031]

Another thing that adds to character is hairstyle. Long, loose hair-while a fantasy staple-is nearly as fantastical an element as dragons. It gets dirty so quickly, gets in your way, and is vulnerable to being seized during a fight. (The last obviously being more of an occupational hazard for some than others.) I think flowing tresses are as fun to see in costume as the next person, so I don’t think it’s bad at all. Just pointing out that when you recognize that things like that are part of the fantasy, it can help you decide how to approach the level of realism/whimsy and thus flesh out the character more. For example, having about half the hair pulled or tied back is the “traditional” compromise for a reason: it lets you put in cool braids and accessories (jewelry, leather cords, twine, etc), but you also appreciate that the characters live in a world where things usually move slower, represented by having years’ worth of hair already grown out. And it flatters most people’s faces, especially if you have some level of fringe or tendril pieces lol

[@xxBonnieBlueEyesxx]

A time-tested tip concerning footwear for rangers: no suede. Smooth leather, boot-design without any zipper, laces or anything that breaks the leather surface (apart from seams, obviously. Wax heavily and regularly and enjoy the fun when the ranger just walks through the brook while everyone else is supposed to look for stepping stones ^^

[@domingopgarcia8391]

I've got a friend who often gets lost in the backstory, and it's really funny to me. Once someone came in and asked if it was X familly's encampment. Her answer: "Well, the family is actually two branches that where united through marriage because Thomas, my father had ships but no money left after the war that claimed my aunt, so he married my mother who.." My answer, cutting her off: " Yes, we are X, except those three bastards and that one guy that just hangs around and steels our food" She always does this for everything, and it's become an in-game joke that I always interrupt her long exposition dumps with the tldr. So, tldr, it's amazing to have a backstory. Just handle it, like in real life, you dont just spout everything to the first guy that asks you about your cool tshirt

[@christinabrock2893]

That could be a young Aragorn. There, I said what you hoped we would. I mean it though. You don't look much like Viggo Mortensen, but I've long thought he could have been better cast anyway. Other than not being nearly tall enough (and maybe your eyes aren't light enough; I can't tell on my little phone screen), I do think you, in this garb you've just put together, could pass for book-Aragorn in the early years before he got all weatherbeaten and grim.

[@journeyman7189]

Excellent presentation Kramer. Always well thought out. Nate

[@talesong]

Watching this as I prepare to turn a leather suede jacket into a medieval clothing element! I'm planning on trying to pull off archers bracers and a jerkin. Because suede is less protective I'm not certain I'd pull off either medieval ranger or silvan elf archer, but I can try and learn! I do have some stiff white drumhead leather I might be able to use to make the bracers firmer as well... That was a great tip about flat cloths! I have several flat printed cottons in my fabric stash, and this helps explain why most of them just felt wrong. I wonder if there would be a way to add texture... Perhaps using a thicker thread to make a little puff of embroidery on one element throughout the fabric? Crinkling it up? I'll need to think about this.

[@Damivarius]

Detail is the difference between a well-worn, linen tunic and a distressed, cotton band-t from the 90's. Sure you might add your father's old axe, but the details of your shirt make the difference between fantasy and post-apocalyptical.

[@TheGrinbery]

Clickbait? On MY feed? It's mire likely than you think xD

[@1HankDaTank1]

no to the shave

[@sasha1mama]

The gambeson didn't work because you lacked vambraces to pull the arms into theme.

[@flyboymike111357]

I disagree. There is something to be said for flare. Functional flare is best, but adding things just to for visual interest is authentic. As is adding something to garb that has symbolic, social, or sentimental value. If something can be functional, visually interesting, and have a social/symbolic/sentimental quality it really improves authenticity. Look at hats and caps. Why does head gear sometimes have a badge on it? Why are brimmed hats sometimes cocked/slouched, why is there a variety of things you can use as a hatband? Why are feathers, flowers, ammunition, or tools sometimes worn on headgear? Belts, shashes, shoulder bags, cloak pins, handle scales for knives/pistols, belt pouches/purses, buckles, rings, etc are all excellent opportunities to enhance the visual interest of an outfit and say something about a character, even if just to suggest depth.

[@nevisysbryd7450]

Short version: details are best when they ensue, not are pursued. Details in themselves are not meaningful; detail for detail's sake is empty spectacle. Details are meaningful insofar as they expand and elaborate upon the meaning already present, and the verisimilitude is proportional to how much it fits into the context of the character and outfit. As for the hood problems, people with long hair in that period often bound their hair quite close to their head (eg, suebian knot); something of the sort will probably help.

[@LivingAnachronism]

Very well put, you said that better and in less words than I did! Thank you Nevis!

[@zxyatiywariii8]

Or, for very long hair, it can be braided into one braid and then the bottom can be tucked under one's belt in the back, not so tightly that it hinders movement, but just enough to keep it from swinging forward, so it's very convenient.

[@nevisysbryd7450]

@@LivingAnachronism Not necessarily 'better'; repetition and expressing things in multiple ways helps some people to understand better. I find refined brevity is often really good for a final summary (and easy-to-remember principles) that often performs better as a conclusion than stand-alone. How you said it had merit for a lot of people. That said, you are welcome!

[@nevisysbryd7450]

@@zxyatiywariii8 Certainly. Suebian is but one example; my point was that braids, buns, knots, and similar volume-reducing styles of wearing hair are something to consider if hair is being an obstacle for headwear. Come to think of it, that falls under exactly the sort of character-appropriate details this video was about. For example, a Tolkien elf wearing uncharacteristic braids specifically as part of the character due to wearing headwear for their lifestyle (eg, hoods for a ranger) that differs from mainstream elven culture.

[@Ulv_Draugr]

I think you nailed it, man. However, i'd try a looser fit around the upper arms. For movability:)

[@brucelee3388]

Several things to comment on here. 'White' shirt - linen is naturally a yellowy or greyish beige (depending on how the fiber was separated from the plant - dry or wet 'retting'), it only gets to be white through repeated cycles of washing and bleaching (dried by laying it on the grass until dry) - the Ancient Romans used -stale- urine as a bleach to make their toga white. So a new shirt would be a pale beige, about the color of what is sold as 'unbleached calico' in haberdasheries. Unbleached calico (plain weave cotton) is good for prototyping garments such as shirts/tunics and pants - put it thru the washer a few times once it is sewn up to get the stiffening out, then wear it around for a bit, you will soon find where it is too tight or needs bigger gussets because the seams will fail or it will rip - better to find out with a cheaper cloth than the good Irish Linen at $$$$ a yard. The first layer would NOT be dyed. Warning: A lot of what is sold as 'linen' is actually cotton, and a lot of 'real' linen fiber is processed in 'A Certain Asian Country' where is is chopped up into short lengths so it can be processed in the same machinery as they process cotton on, so you will find it very difficult to tell the difference by feel. Sadly there is not much you can do about this fraud, your local retailer probably does not have the skill or equipment to tell the difference either. One unconfirmed way to test is to grab a hand full of the material and wrap it around your hand - cotton will feel warmer than linen (which is why some high end fashion clothing is made of linen for summer wear). The most common colors for outer layers would be blue, yellow and green (blue plus yellow double dyed) - red was more expensive and a sign that the character was wealthy. True black was an even bigger example of conspicuous consumption as the acid dyeing process damaged the cloth and it didn't last very long - 'black' was more likely made from black wool (which is actually dark chocolate brown), maybe with an over dye of strong blue (again, expensive). Bands of braid around the cuffs of a shirt/coat was a sign of wear according to some comments by the Museum of London, the examples excavated all showed signs of wear & fraying that had been covered with the woven braid. Some edges may have been deliberately covered with a contrasting colored plain weave cloth - for example Early Medieval tunics shown in manuscript illuminations sometimes may have an edging of a different color or have a contrasting stitch line - its also a good way to hide rough edges like on a thick gambeson (like bias binding) - fold the binding's edges in, sew one side to the inside of the garment then fold the binding over so it covers those stitches and stitch it down on the outside edge - if you suffer from irritation from wool cloth on your skin this also a way to stop that by using a contrasting linen/cotton as the binding.