Making Ancient Scythian Clothing \\ Warriors of the Steppe

[@elizabethsloan3192]

If you haven’t already found it, there is an amazing book called “Cut my cote” which looks at old garments and their relationship to loom widths. This is very important for historical costuming and is the reason for many gores and gussets.

[@DaisyViktoria]

Fabulous! I had not found that book, and I am on it!

[@anastasiakomar286]

I've always been fascinated by Scythian culture ❤ In Ukraine we still have numerous Scythian stelae. Lots of Scythian golden jewelry was also found there: like the comb you showed from Solokha kurgan or the famous Golden Pectoral from Tovsta Mohyla (I mean, the full title of that book by Ellen Reeder is "Scythian Gold: Treasures from Ancient Ukraine")

[@DaisyViktoria]

That is so cool! I would love to see some of that in person one day!

[@SomasAcademy]

Seems nobody has commented on this already, the movie Legend of Tomiris is in a Turkic language, but not Turkish, it is a Kazakh film!

[@moonbasket]

This is so cool! Im obsessed with the caftan. I would love a coat like that. Omg.

[@bc7138]

Scythian clothing looks so elaborate and colourful in comparison to their Classical era neighbours like the Romans and Greeks, especially the headdresses. Only the Celts appear to have such colourful clothing - at least in Western Eurasia. The Scythians are fascinating and their gold work is probably the best of the ancient world. I knew they also served in 'policing' roles in ancient Athens which is why they probably appear so frequently on black figure Vases and pottery. I had no idea there was a film about Queen Tomyris (Tomiris). You never see any movies about the ancient world that isn't about Greece, Rome or Egypt. Tomyris and the Scythians also appears in the Civilization videogame series. The clothes you made look amazing. The gold filagrees on the kaftan are fantastic. Great work!

[@JesterAzzi]

I'm in love with that kaftan!!!!!

[@DaisyViktoria]

[@kathilisi3019]

Fascinating to see your take on Scythian clothing! I don't know anything about Scythians... But your video reminded me of a YA historical novel I read as a teen, about a girl who poses as a stable boy at the Greek court, but she has to pose as a Thracian or Scythian because their fashion includes trousers. She decides to pose as a Thracian because she is intimidated by the colourful patterns of Scythian clothing. Incidentally, she also goes by the name of Tamyris, which sounds like it might be the same name as the movie you mentioned, just transcribed differently. Unfortunately, I can't remember the author's name.

[@DaisyViktoria]

It might be! That sounds like a really cool book!

[@ladylongsleeves3175]

Extremely beautiful!! It’s so cool that you tackled such an underrepresented era and area of costuming so well!

[@gozer87]

Excellent recreation! The wrap caftan seems to be a long lasting fashion with people coming from the steppes and people influenced by them. The Alans, Franks, Goths and Huns wore it.

[@horseenthusiast1250]

Wow! We must be on the same wavelength or something. I've long been obsessed with the interactions between the Scythians, Thracians, and Greeks, and I just wrapped up a huge research dive involving the Scythians (including reading From The Lands Of The Scythians, truly an AMAZING book that I can't wait to get my own copy of!!! The Achilles gorytos and that pectoral with the guys sewing shirts and milking sheep really grabbed my attention, and they're making me want to learn more complex metalworking). I had a portion of research just on clothing, and my historical sewing mindset was starting to make me wonder how to make some of this stuff. Is there a pattern yet for the pants with the historical gore, as opposed to copying a modern cut? I haven't made many pants yet, so I'm a little confused on how to draft that. Also, if anyone has detailed information on Scythian embroidery designs/stitches and any info on dyestuffs other than madder, I'd like to see it! I'm having a hard time finding out much past the obvious "They embroidered their clothes and dyed with madder" and I'm hoping that's not where the evidence ends.

[@anieth]

You make a good Scythian! You are cozy and sparkly! :D I also like the science pillows...

[@kerriemckinstry-jett8625]

Those science pillows are awesome! I might need something like that in my home office. 😊

[@DaisyViktoria]

Thank you! Science pillows are the best!

[@kerriemckinstry-jett8625]

Nice job! I love the quirky folkwear styles. I'm glad these cultures aren't being forgotten, that there are people who become curious enough to ask, "Who were these people?" Given the range of habitats & lifestyles, it would be interesting to know to what extent their clothes were utilitarian & to what extent fashion played a role. It looked like adding the bits of bling helped weight the caftan & hat to make them sit better. Is this the case? Edit: Also, Butterscotch was very "helpful". 😂

[@C.G.Hassack]

Fabulous! The clothes look much better on a living body than in recreation artwork. I believe you have inspired me! I am a horse archer, albeit a not very good or active one, that may be about to change now. About all I knew was that Scythians were horse archers, made some wonderful stuff with gold, and had some super cool tattoos... Oh and they were pretty scary warriors.

[@JaneSt.Valentine]

Fun fact, the Amazons of Greek Myth are said to be based on the Scythians

[@Ho1yhe11]

Anyone wanting more information on the clothing of the scythian culture should look into the mummies of tarim and the pazyryk

[@rtam7097]

Can you do a reconstruction of Indo-Scythian clothing?😅 There are a lot of artifacts as well. It would be an interesting rework.

[@susanpolastaples9688]

The Amazon's by Adrienne Mayer links the amazon legend with Scythians and 9the4 female warrior groups

[@lupakajsalisa3652]

When you have your arms outstretched and walking in the field, it struck me how much you remind me of Nausicaä of the valley of the wind in this! Come to think of it, aren't they a semi-nomadic people in this film? I wonder if there's any inspiration there

[@katdee239]

Hey! I started SCA Sythians. :)

[@lucyannethrope7569]

Fantastic! I have been interested in scythians ever since I realized that Robert E Howard drew much inspiration from them in creating the world of Conan.

[@Flammenhagel]

If anyone is interested, most of these clothing items actually have modern descendants in turkic and mongolic cultures: scythian boots turned into gutals and bashmaks, scythian coats turned into shapans and kaftans, scythian hats turned into bashlyks and malahais

[@delbelcoure]

Glorious!

[@lydianoack4552]

Yaaaaay, Scythians! This looks really smashing, the jacket especially. Could someone perhaps point me in the direction of historically accurate patterns for the upper garments? I'm kind of planning a scytian "track suit" to wear between times when I'm out with my gladiator group at events. It kinda made sense to me to lean into the "exoticism sells" that was a thing especially with female gladiators and go "yeah, we say she's a captive Scythian princess, but between you and me, the gal's from Ostia". Also, I want an excuse to wear pants 😅

[@lenabreijer1311]

A few years ago a group i was part of suggested that the pants may have been sprang to get the fit and patterns seen on the greek statues of the archers. Of course the tightness of the fit could have been an artistic choice. The role of the women in that society was also very different from the Greek view. They could be warriors and had a lot more power and freedom.

[@DaisyViktoria]

I have heard that as well and think sprang pants would be marvelous!

[@lenabreijer1311]

@@DaisyViktoria I have been making pants for my son-in-law for his fencing and trying to get the range of motion he requires and a decent fit and period look has been challenging.

[@AerdernixLittleDragonMacDane]

How about a gaulish style Peplos next?

[@TomTasker]

great job!

[@DaisyViktoria]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@francescampell2640]

If you want to get scientifically up-to-date info on the Scythians I can recommend the work of Barry Cunliffe on the topic.

[@Gen.berseker25]

Me as a Modern person: Wow! Persians/Macedonians/Chinese/Bactrians: Hiii...!

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

When is this? Curious about prints and how they made them or where they traded for them.

[@d.s.archer5903]

Nice work. You look like you're ready to march into Greece, 480 B.C., with the army of Xerxes the Great.

[@DaisyViktoria]

❤😍❤

[@rosieolivares7402]

I miss you!!

[@DaisyViktoria]

I miss you too! Come back!!!

[@JuraMalopolska]

hmmm very interesting clothes. I know that our Arian ancesstors, wore tall hat looked like wizards hats. We know that for exemples from tocharian mummies.

[@kingoftheworld22]

it’s not turkish it’s turkic turkish belongs only to the country turkey.

[@seaneustace9838]

The Uighurs still wear the funky hats.

[@Flammenhagel]

You mean malahai?

[@JPOGame]

The Scythians were described as tall (180cm to 200cm), pale skinned and often red haired people by nearly all neighboring countries/cultures. People or books that try to describe them as Turks/Huns need to read history and DNA testing.

[@alexdunphy3716]

True. Historical accounts and DNA testing shows they were primarily European

[@susanpolastaples9688]

Where's your horse

[@GraceLovey]

@AchaxeEkAuchatae

[@DaisyViktoria]

Yesss Achaxe's paper is linked in the description here for anyone who can benefit!

[@GraceLovey]

@@DaisyViktoria I should have watched till the end to comment. ;)

[@DaisyViktoria]

OMG you are totally good!