Codex Tailor Guide To Fashion¶
A Tailor's Guide
To Looking Good
In Iridine
By Aubrin Ailia
If you've recently arrived to Iridine, or you've
been here for ages and finally want to get a clue
about looking sharp, you've come to the right place.
In this volume, you'll find information on materials,
types of clothing, and advice for style as fits your
profession.
Where to Buy Fabric .............Page II
Types of Fabrics.................Page III
Types of Garments................Page IV
Garment Cloth Requirements.......Page V
Dress For Success In Iridine.....Page VI-VII
Conclusion.......................Page VIII
About the Author.................Page IX
Where to Buy Fabric
There are four main places to buy fabric in the Republic.
If you like grays and browns, Demetrius has a shop in the
Steps where you can purchase lower quality fabrics in drab
colors. In Iridine proper, Marcavia has a shop called The
Fabric Emporium on Bronze Lane that sells white, black,
and the other primary colors, plus faded shades for a little
less money. In Rock Valley, Iraeta sells all of the basic shades
as well. For the best selection, Blue Lake Textiles in
Monlon is the place to shop. Here you will find deep, dark,
light, pale, and pastel shades.
If you want more unique fabrics and cloth, your best bet
is to find a tailor who belongs to the Vestis Formatae.
He or she will have access to a variety of fine fabrics
and threads.
Types of Fabrics
Wool - Available in Homespun and Fine Wool. Coarse fabric made
from sheep's wool. Provides some degree of
water-resistance. More suitable for outer clothes such
as cloaks and paenulas.
Linen - Available in Linen and Fine Linen. Woven fibers made
from the flax plant. Fine linen is more tightly woven,
and is more expensive because it is more labor-intensive
to weave. This type of fabric is light and breathes
well in hot weather.
Doeskin - Thicker than most cloth fabrics, but thinner than
leather, doeskin is a durable fabric good for outer
garments.
Muslin - A loosely-woven cotton that breathes well. It is
light and comfortable for hot weather.
Madras - Another loosely-woven cotton similar to muslin. It is
slightly higher quality. Also suitable for hot weather
It often has a square pattern to its texture.
Cotton - A soft and fluffy fabric that is woven from the cotton plant.
It is warm but also breathes well for hot-weather use.
Cotton is much more expensive than doeskin and wool, but
looks and feels every sterce of its value.
Silk - The most expensive and luxurious material, spun by
moth larvae or spiders. Silk is a soft and shiny fabric
that looks beautiful on any figure. It is comfortable in
any weather.
Suede - A soft leather made frequently from lamb skin. It is
thinner than leather and slightly less durable. Suede
is not sold in any stores in town, but can occasionally
be purchased by a traveling merchant.
Types of Garments
Accessories - Belt, Cap, Gloves (Regular and Fingerless), Hair
Ribbon, Hat, Headband, Headscarf, Sash, Scarf, Skullcap
Containers - Neckpouch, Pouch, Sack
Tops - Sleeveless Tunic, Tunic, Shirt,
Bottoms - Breeches, Pants
One-Piece Garments - Chiton, Stola, Toga
Undergarments - Loincloth, Subligar, Strophium
Outer Garments - Apron, Cape, Cloak, Paenula, Robe
Other - Blanket, Towel, Slippers, Socks
Garment Cloth Requirements
Any item that uses more than one piece of cloth can
be made in two colors. Any more than two and the
garment just appears 'multicolored.' All pieces
need to be of the same type of fabric.
1/8 length - Headband, Hair ribbon
1/4 length - Gloves, Neckpouch, Pouch, Sash, Scarf,
Belt, Socks, Waist sash
1/4 and 1/8 - Slippers
1/2 length - Headscarf, Cap, Skullcap, Strophium,
Subligar
1/2 and 1/8 - Hat
3/4 length - Loincloth
1 length - Breeches, Pants, Sack, Sleeveless tunic,
Towel, Vest
1 1/2 length - Apron, Shirt, Stola, Tunic, Tunica
2 lengths - Blanket, Cape, Cloak, Paenula, Robe
2 3/4 lengths - Chiton
4 lengths - Toga
Dress For Success In Iridine
If you are new to town, there are some color combinations you may
wish to avoid. Black and red, specifically crimson, are the
uniform of the dangerous Steps gang, the Black Centurions.
Monochromatic outfits of all gray are the trademark of the
infamous Umbra Alati. Similarly, an all-green costume is
the banner of the heretical Ravanites.
You may also want to note that people in Iridine don't take
too kindly to mystery. Be sure to remove any hooded outerwear
before you pass the Phoenix guards, lest you be mistaken
for a bandit and punished as such.
Healers - Many healers in the Hospice choose to wear the white
and yellow costume of the priests. Personally I believe white
is a bad idea when dealing with blood and other disgusting
bodily fluids, but hey if it means you'll buy more outfits,
don't let me stop you. Might I also recommend an apron in an
inexpensive and durable fabric?
Hunters/Woodsmen - Greens, blacks and browns are good colors
for hiding in the woods. They will help you blend in to your
surroundings, and will disguise any mud or other mess you
find yourself working in. Doeskin, if you can afford it, is
the most durable material for your hard work. Fingerless gloves
will keep your hands safe but also allow you to weave rope
and set traps without difficulty.
Fighters - If you are the typical free-lance fighter, you
probably will wear whatever you want. I might recommend
doeskin to keep your knees from getting scraped and linen
to stay cool in combat.
Dress For Success Continued (Page VII)
Gladiators - Traditionally gladiators wear loincloths and
capes in bright showy materials. You will want to dress
to distract your opponent, make your sponsor proud, and
rile up the crowd. If you belong to a stable, you may want
to wear their colors and symbol.
Tailors - You should already know how to dress. Wear
well-fitting clothes that showcase your talent and
your style. Do not clash colors or look ostentatious.
That's just tacky unless you're Gadaene.
Brokers - Dress to impress the merchants, but don't
detract from your charming personality. Low cut
shirts or dresses are all right, but don't look
too cheap. High quality silks and well-tailored garments
will create the look that a good broker needs.
Thieves - I hope you didn't steal this book. Dress in dark
colors to blend in with the shadows. Silk and linens are
silent as you move. Gang colors should be worn with caution,
as you do not want to appear to belong somewhere you don't,
and you don't want to make constables any more suspicious
of you than they already are. Also, stealing is illegal.
And bad.
A good tailor can help you find a style to fit any budget.
An excellent tailor will undoubtedly belong to the Vestis
Formatae. He or she will help you discover your sense of
style, and give you a new look that is practical, affordable,
and beautiful. Whether you are looking for traditional
or creative, a Vestis tailor will outfit you with flare!
About the Author
Aubrin Ailia was born in Iridine, but has traveled with her
merchant father all over the world. After the death of
her husband, Myles, she returned to her hometown.
Finding herself with no connections or skills, she joined
the Vestis Formatae and has since trained to become
one of Iridine's premier tailors. She studied under the
expert tutelage of Libes Nusidor and Melina Martyr. You
can most reliably find her at Marcavia's Fabric
Emporium, or anywhere fancy fabric is sold.