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World Costume for Theatrical Productions
Humans
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Fashion changes from region to region in the Empire, often
following the whims or tastes of the current nobility. For
the sake of simplicity, it is possible to speak generally
of fashions in Tamzyrr and the other southwestern cities as
opposed to styles of dress seen in the north and east. In
actuality, many styles may coexist in the same county or barony.
The noble women of Tamzyrr dress in long gowns with full
skirts and a tightly boned bodice. The neck of the bodice
is cut low and straight across the chest, with pieces of what
is usually a sheer fabric cut to cover the shoulders while
leaving the center of the neck and chest bare. A high collar
likewise encircles all but the front of the neck, topped with
a goffered ruff. The sleeves, cut in curved triangles long
enough to brush the ground, are bordered at the top with puffs
of fabric and finished at the hem with scallops or trim. Hats
are not usually worn, with much attention instead being paid
to the coiffure. For those who desire some form of head covering,
a sheer veil tucked into the shoulders suffices. Pearls are
used as jewelry and as embellishment by both sexes.
The men show a similar amount of restriction in the torso,
in the form of a fitted doublet with a padded belly and short
skirts. Though most commonly made of leather, the garment
can also be cut from wool or heavy silk. Long, bound slashes
in the chest show off either the white shirt underneath, or
a contrasting color of applied silk. The sleeves of the doublet
may also be slashed, though in a much smaller pattern. As
with the women, puffs of fabric delineate the shoulders. The
breeches are cut full at the hips and taper towards the knee,
where they are buttoned and bound in a narrow band. Goffered
ruffs finish off the neck and wrists, adding further formality
to the silhouette. Short capes are worn at a diagonal across
the chest. The gathered fabric hats have high crowns and small
brims.
By way of contrast, the men of the north present a much softer
picture. Their doublets stop short of the waist, revealing
a section of the shirt just above the closely-cut breeches.
The paned sleeves are extremely full above the elbow, then
fitted to the wrist. Slashing is also common, but rather than
being found on the chest and sleeves, it is featured predominantly
on the breeches and at the tops of the stockings, which tie
under the knee with large bows. Long, sleeveless overrobes
with wide collars are worn in place of capes, and heavy chains
of office are sometimes worn across the shoulders. The shoes
have broad, squared-off toes and are split down the vamp.
The northern women are less restricted as well. They wear
an unboned corset underneath their high-waisted gowns. Cartridge
pleats in the center front add fullness, which must be held
out of the way when walking. The neckline of the bodice is
cut squarely to fall under the bust, revealing a gathered
chemise. Pendant sleeves hang open from the elbow and can
feature fur on the inside or out. The undersleeve fits closely
to the wrist. Padded rolls curve in a crescent over the back
of the head, and hair is usually braided or twisted close
to the ears. Precious metal jewelry is the most common.
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