For example (and not to point fingers, it's simply a convenient reference), the AEMMA promotes the use of 'authentic attire' . To me, 'authentic attire' would look like this image from their website:

Looks to me like a fitted doublet with closed front and grand assiette armholes, hose, shoes and something on the head (hat or padded cap)

The AEMMA training page lists the following as necessities:

China flats, kung fu boots or Revival boots
black track pants/leggings
training T-shirt: AEMMA standard training shirt (compulsory)
leather fencing gloves/leather riding gloves with cuff fitted with hardened-leather, lacrosse gloves
gambeson
etc.

Are all WMA groups like this, or are there any WMA groups using garments pictured in the fechtbuchs?

I ask because I was considering offering sparring/practice garments modelled after images in the fechtbuchs, but wonder if anyone would be interested?

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Local ARMA study groups usually have guys in red tee-shirts; black shorts, trews, or even baseball-knickers; and wrestling shoes (indoors) or soccer "boots"* (outdoors). But some guys do wear turn-shoes.

But sometimes a given local group may have guys who dress period -- e.g. say if they like the circa 1560-70 civilian longsword fencing of Meyer a lot, then maybe they tend to wear the knickers / hose and a blouse and/or doublet -- but always in the association-wide mandated red & black colouring. By contrast, I have yet to see any of my sword & buckler associates wear monk-robes like circa 1300 fight-book Walpurgis (aka I.33) shows to do, as such is frankly clumsy attire for fencing.

I think it a grand idea to practice period, really cool -- but for various reasons, it is just easier to simply say that tee-shirt and shorts are the minimum needed uniform, and consequently, that is what the guys tend to wear to practice.

Naturally, the harness-fencers in ARMA often do wear their full armour for practice at armoured fighting. But as the image you happened to select demonstrates, the men of yore would practice harnischfechten moves in their arming clothes -- their de facto "workout suits". So one's specialised endeavour does not necessarily preclude interest in such period clothes as illustrated for wearing at practice. It would be more price and the customs of the group.

*[The latter footwear is my admitted inauthentic preference, as I almost always practice outside, whatever the weather. I rationalise the cleats as sort of equivalent to hobnail-soled shoes. In any case, I do not need the hassle of constantly slipping and falling over varying terrain -- whether grass or bare ground -- because wearing the equivalent of dance-shoes may be deemed more authentic.]

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JLH

SSG and CSG some do some don's some wear some medieval clothes.

I dunno bout AEMMA

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I was in essence laughed off, and had some very nasty things said to me be some of the old ARMA blokes.

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On further discussion, my mate at the ROM says he'll wear a proper 15th C. sparring outfit if I make it for him, so I think I will go ahead and do it. He says anything has to be better than the Museum Replicas stuff some of the other guys are wearing.

I'm interested in seeing how they would work from a purely mechanical perspective.

I would like to see an unpadded 14thc coat with grand assiette armholes and a lace-up front.

I currently have a lace-up and padded 15thc coat grand assiette armholes that is far too warm and the padding is no defence.

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I already offer an unpadded version.

If you want it laced instead of buttoned, just ask and we'd be happy to do that. We're making these up as ordered anyway, so swapping lacing for buttons is not a problem.

What I'm currently discussing with my friend is making a padded pourpoint to be worn over the sparring doublet as proof against chest thrusts. It would be shaped like the sleeveless vest seen in the above image.

Okay, I would also like to add that I took the original question to mean we ought to comment upon our own groups. Perhaps we may do that.

Pursuant to that, to quote the ARMA website:

"ARMA formal uniforms (historical-style red blouses and black pants) are entirely optional."

Thus the historical clothing is optional, but it is worn often enough, and especially by a given study-group who may go to a Ren-faire to do day-long demonstration, and indeed, such may be worn by some individuals as common practice-wear, as per the habit of some of my fellows.

Good luck,

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JLH

The WMA group attracts students from the wider community as well as from the local re-enactment community.

We run a simple 4 level grading system. For the first level, beginner, we are just teaching 1.33 with wooden wasters. There is no period garment requirement at this level other than to use either period or soft-flatsoled footwear.

If they wish to progress then a basic period soft costume becomes mandatory as does period armour. By the time they get to the third and fourth levels then they should have full period soft kit and harness.

Ideally I would like to have period soft costume and footwear mandatory at the beginner level but because half my students come from a non-reenactment background and who do not immediately see the importance of doing WMA in period kit, this is a reasonable compromise, I feel.

However if we are doing any form of public display then all participants must be in correct period costume.

Of the three WMA groups in New Zealand we are the only one with any period costume requirements.

[ 03-04-2007: Message edited by: Callum Forbes ]

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URL=http://www.jousting.co.nz

It is my impression, from looking at the Wisby finds, that armoured gloves are produced by riveting plates, laying upon the fingers. Unlike SCA fingers that are 'U' shaped so the metal touches the sword grip and leaves a space above the finger itself.

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[ 03-12-2008: Message edited by: Wolffhart ]

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I was only trying to provide an honest summary of the practices of the part of the historical fencing world wherewith I am most familiar, my own group.

Indeed -- if Gwen reckons it be feasible to go ahead and make such a line of clothing for training, then I hope it does well, and I would tell others about it.

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JLH

[ 03-12-2007: Message edited by: Wolffhart ]

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As for the judicial duel outfits, all I can say is I'd probably make my fortune if I were to offer them in rubber.... (yikes, I don't think I'm ready for that!)

[ 03-13-2007: Message edited by: Wolffhart ]

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Personally, I like the covered up 1459 version. I think all the exposed lacing of the 1467 would provide more opportunity for a sword to get caught on if the fit wasn't absolutely perfect.

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We're interpreting the different coloured body as a padded pourpoint type garment which could be worn to protect against body/rib blows.

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JLH