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World Costume for Theatrical Productions
Halflings
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Known for their prized beadwork, Halflings in traditional
garb present a bright and colorful picture. Reds and purples
dominate, with natural leather used as a contrast. Wool, both
knitted and felted, is a favored material. The finest wool
produced is called cameline, and fetches a good price on the
northern trade routes. Multicolored woolen tassels dangle
from the points of hats, sleeve welts, collars, and vests.
Halflings frequently go unshod, even in inclement weather.
Those that do employ footwear favor a calf-high leather boot
lined with soft fur. The seams are turned to the outside and
form decorative lines around the foot and up the shin. The
tip of the toe turns up slightly, a design that hearkens back
to the use of stirrups.
The hats worn by traditionally-garbed Halflings are quite
distinctive. Females wear fur-trimmed hats with turned-up
brims and conical crowns, sometimes adorned with colorful
ribbon streamers. Males wear a hat with three peaks in the
brim and a round, fur-covered crown.
For both sexes, the sleeves end in long tapered cuffs, said
to represent the hooves of horses. In cold weather they can
be turned down to warm the hands, or be used as protection
when touching particularly hot or cold objects. Females traditionally
wear short, fitted vests with several bands of trim around
the edges and center front. The sleeve heads are full, and
gathered into an appliqued band around the upper arm. The
moderately full skirt also ends in several wide bands of decorative
work. Males wear a sashed tunic which opens at the right shoulder.
Offset bars of color decorate the chest, and the sleeves have
a small amount of fullness at the top.
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