The Gaelic Renaissance - Fashion

[Master Claramae St. Laurence]

Fashions of the Age , Part 1


The High Middle Ages as we see them are frought with significant changes to fashion that have influenced our pre and current Gaelic Renaissance period. Often Europe has looked to such influential courts as those of France and Italy to lead the way in trends for not only clothing, but hair and acessories. What then are the current Celts attributed to wearing?

Traditional Celtic Clothing consists of:
-leine, a type of loose fitting shirt, sometimes died with saffron
-brat: a type of cloak or mantle that may be decorated (tartan, for example) or other designs
-a belt or brooch
- kilt (a garment allowing free movement of the legs often comprised of the same long material piece that can form the subsequent brat)
-trews (a type of form fitting pant)
- hair is grown long by both sexes
- men grow facial hair from age 12 onward, clergymen are expected have beards


The Gaelic fashion is in this formula similiar/based off of other styles found in early Europe. Fabrics consisted of the wool that could be garnered off of Highland sheep, leathers from cattle, and bog cottons. For those with monies fortunate enough to be able to afford them, there may have been softer wool blends to utilize. There are still evidences further of well-monied individuals benefiting from the following, not even a hundred years agone, in 1250, the English King Henry III was a very style conscious individual. It is said he utilized a fabric known as samite, a luxury blend of silk with a twill like weave, for himself and his court.

The gradual change of fashion in Europe from 400-1100 occurred over time but featured the staple utlized from the Roman period, the tunic. Tunics were long or short depending on class affiliation, worn with some sort of hose or cross-gartering garment, possibly loose trousers. Women also wore a style of tunic dress, cut at the bodice area for those who breastfed. Some were able to utilize embroidery along sleeves or hems.

Most fabric in the early period and still today is made at the village level from local resources, humbly cut. Silk and cotton were imports from the Byzantine and Muslim words. Monied individuals enjoy bleached linens and softer wool varities within the continent itself. To England this is also a factor, as well as some Lowland Scottish localities. The Welsh also follow behind given their proximity just to the side of England, with the Irish finding items funneled in through the English Pale and cultured Irish North.


Dominant Items for Women
As was mentioned prior, women wear long tunic styled dresses of varying cut. Some may feature embroidery in different threads, but color is also a matter of class consideration. Earth tones are common among the lower class, color among the merchant and noble class, with certain colors excuslive to royalty such (deep purple, deep blue, crimson). In the Gaelic world, this is so depending upon what fashion can be garnered from conquerors such as the Normans or the Anglo-Saxon descended English as time goes by(inspired by Frankish custom). For undergarments, an undertunic and hose are favored, with mantles and cloaks for outer covering. With the advent of Christianity, even the Celtic variety, women's heads are covered even though in the Celtic Islands (aside from England) this remains a slow progression.


Dominant Items for Men
Tunics that men wear are over hose or pieces of fabric that held in place over the leg (cross-garetering). On special occasions or outside, a mantle or cloak is worn. Shoes are an attribute for both sexes of time and money. Not often worn by the peasentry, they often consist of a simple leather soft sole and side coverings. Clergymen wear their hair in various forms of tonsure. Men are most prevalent to different types jewelery including large, ornate brooches, belt buckles, chains of office, daggers, knives, and swords. Metalwork is a sign of class distinction. For example, in England, only free persons were allowed under Anglo-Saxon rules to carry a knife.

Both Sexes

Clothing is decorated with bands or embroidery. England is famous as far away as Rome for its Opus Anglicanum embroidery (English Work) that features fine needlework done on textiles in patterns and scenes, most often used for eeclesiastic purposes but also scene on clothing for the clergy, nobility, furnishings, and even book covers. Opus Anglicanum embroidery takes seven years of apprenticeship alone. It can be seen on tunics, mantles, and belts. It is said to have been used frequently in the Gaelic world despite abhorring of English conquerors who constantly supressed other Gaelic culture and cultural exchanges.

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Fashion, Part II


Now that the basic foundation of fashion has been established, we can see our more local changes. Local inspiration for fashion for both men and women has come from as close as France and Italy to as far flung as the Orient! The Celtic Nations are now awash in a variety of color, styles, patterns, and accessories that are becoming the envy (and mimic) of many of the same areas from which inspiration was found.


Italy: The seat of the holy see in Rome, the country enjoys a far longer history as the seat of the famous Roman Empire. To this day it's immediate access to Byzantine culture and goods is envied by the world at large. Christianity has seen a certain supression and fall in the pagan works prior to its time, but a current revival of science, fashion, and art is in its foundling stages throughout the country. The Four Martime Strongholds of Venice, Genoa, Pisa, and Almalfi opened up the world to the East before the access of the Scottish Templar Knights at Turas Lan was known. It is here we see a particular revelation in the showing of expensive fabrics both of the outer garment and interior. Dresses often feature tie sleeves with space allowed to show puffs of linen and cotton shifts, often the most expensive piece! This can be seen done in old tunic dresses by the allowance of a front slit and by space at the shoulders for puffing A relative new custom not caught on among all of Italy features the tunic piece made more feminine by the emphasis of some sort of high waist with upper bodice tie. Detached tie sleeves allow for elaborate displays of linen. Italian women are also wearing their hair down or braided. This is a fascinating response to the basics of women's close: smocks, kirtles, surcoats, into the making of an overgown and an undergown. Venice's inspired embroidery is beginning to work its way in gold thread onto garments for men and women, and what is played at in the martime areas among the wealthy who are not confined by sumptuary laws becomes a staple here, making it a go-to for court fashions. Men are in shortened tunics (to the knee, sometimes above)wearing colored hose at times and codpieces (quite scandalous in their nature for what they inevitably conceal), if not in hose, they are in form fitting trousers with elaborate tunics, sometimes paired with vests. Loose hats with feathers are all the rage, and if no hat, short cropped hair.


France: - the beginnings of important and elegant courts can be found in the various states of the now unified country. France is the European authority on things such as manners which have influenced England during its Norman occupation. In the courts of the King and various persons of influence we see the ornate hair pieces. Hair coverings are required of Christendom, and none more so than for women. Here is seen the beginnings of French caps or bonnets, rounded in shape overall, tapering down to conceal the ears, often these are paired with veils to cover the back of the head. This is a response to those who share no feeling for the more ornatae veil pieces comprised of horns which detract from beauty at all. Jewelry is on par none in this land, with beautiful necklaces, earings, brooches, and buckles a standard. Even though high necked, women's garments enjoy embroidery and semi-precious stone studding which is doubly so for rich men. The basic pieces of a woman's wardrobe are still in use here as they are in most of Europe, but are becoming accessorized and colored. The rich can afford to die their clothes such colors as blues, greens, reds, and blacks with embroidery done. France is nicknamed by Gaelic travelers as the Land of the Peacoke.


The translation of Italian-Franco styles also blends with unique patterns left by the Norse and Anglo-Saxon places of the far North featuring

-Single dress garments pinned at the shoulders by elaborate broaches
-Uncovered hair or hair braided, a familiar style remains long ponytail braids or the use of coils over both ears



Style was as slow as education or science to touch any realm of the Celts except for England, where one can see varying styles of clothing from the Low to the current High Age. Still, there are places in Wales, Ireland, and Scotland where people dressed in their native clothes and what was called 'court dress' meaning the favored attire of the more powerful rulers or conquerors, for generations since the coming of the barbarian tribes. As trade and advancement around all islands increased during the 1200's (to far better success than education, for fashion is a matter of eyes and hands, not literature) into the 1300's, we see a move in the central and upper classes toward European court dress. In our present 1330's, European styles move with new fluidity over the isles with improved maritime activity and land roads.

No place is finer for the development of fashions than the Isle of Skye. The money the Templar place dinto advancement also lent itself to development in textile production of local and imported raw materials, the advancement of embroidery styles as not only art to be hung but art to be worn, and the uplifting of local cultural style into beautified clan and court ensembles.

So just what is worn now among the men and women of all the classes?

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Fashion, Part III


Clan Clothing: Men and Women

Among some of the most influential and important nobility (If not in Scotts-Irish culture the only nobility often times until the movement of the class ladder spread throughout the Celtic Isles from Turas Lan and parts of Ireland), clans are families that trace themselves from one common ancestor despite their various branches. Septs too fall under this category, as families who gain protections from the clains. The traditional Celtic garment of the liene was starting to be made of soft wool, spun loose to an almost sheer quality, or crafted of soft muslin, an import fabric. Others were also made out of cotton and linen. The exchange of local Scottish goods (wool, leather, salmon) for goods obtained inthe Netherlands also lend themselves to furnishing different furs for use. Over the mantles of solid color are often a dominant fixture such as imported furs touching a hip or shoulder brooch, or entire fur mantles. As nationalism increases (or family pride) we see the use of fur via the entire top fur of a creature over a family tartan in chieftains and tanists. Tartans were not a cultural phenomenon, with plaids being used by some as identity but not across whole families. The use of Tartan increases, as do clan badges, with the increase in fueding warfares.

Women favor the popular Irish style of dress which is one garment left sleeveless worn over a long liene, by now called the chemise. The sleeves are long and full, left to billow. The Lowlands and Ireland see a plain chemise or liene, while the Highlands incorporates floral embroiders on the inner arm. Full skirts come out from the bodice area, and the dress is often one single color (often green or brown to accentuate the tartan, sometimes blue. Black is an expensive, elaborate alternative to the central colors.)

Without the tartan incorporation, both men and women where the liene with trews (men) or solid color kilts (men) or the Irish dress (women) An innovation in clothing occured in Turas Lan when the bodice and skirt were made in seperate pieces, allowing for a diverse selection of colors, patterns, and styles to move across the spectrum. Split piece designs are popularized in England among all classes though as can be imagined their construction, multiple parts, and colors were limited among the peasentry who stuck mostly to styles of prior centuries.

Men and women wear single colored, single color with embroidery, and nontartan attire at home with tartan based attire for special occasion. The nature of the style in clan clothing is important to note as the richer clans had access, and thus influenced their local areas.


Court Dress: Women

Court dress is the dress worn for certain occasions as one is a courtier, for feasts, and even now in fashionable homes. While Clan dress is at once responsible for particular fashion constructions for both men and women, it is not a dominant force. It was used most particularly in Highland sections, among the MacLeods and MacRauri of Skye, and in certain places of Ireland. Wales was not tartan prone, nor is England even paying attention to the custom.

Court dress however is far more universal. As stature in the Celtic Nations increased from the early 1300's onward ,we find that by 1330 there is a definitive pattern to what one wears in these institutions. The main Scottish court is now at Turas Lan, spreading outward to the prime areas of

-Edinburgh
-Glasgow
-Dublin
-Ulster
-London
-York
-Wales: Powys, Gwenydd, Carmarthenshire regions

From Italy and French definition and English experimentation, we see in court dress a move that includes actual curve enchancing frames in both sexes, dropped necklines, and flowing undergarments (petticoats, kirtles with attached petticoats when worn under dresses). Corsets and girdles are common staples for ladies, not always comfortable but condoned, though alternatives have been offered by stiffening interior dresses or belt pieces with equally supportive reeds (as opposed to steel or bone) that create the desired shape without suffocation of the fairer sex. Already medical experts are attributing crushed waists to diminished organ function and air intake in women

Court dresses as they have come to be called are beginning to utilize a one piece dress, or multi piece dress resembling a one piece construction when put together. The Welsh are attributed to giving fantastic color to gowns by perfection of a dying process, and Turas Lan botany has uncovered a wealth of color combinations. With the relaxation of sumptuary laws in the regions we see simplistic to elaborate enterpise taken to 'dress and impress'

- The kirtle is still utilized, favored for it's side lacing style. It is worn under the overgarment, but can also be utilized as an outergarmet with better construction and is attributed to the reason there are side lacing gowns in Turas Lan as opposed to strictly front lacing. They can be made without waist seems or utilized as a combined bodice and petticoat option. The kirtle has been stylized into sort of a 'day wear' dress when made in rich clothes and more stiff and durable as opposed to the ease of gauzy undergarments. This is worn over a chemise or smock, accessorized with a necklace of some sort. Often one sees this form of dress on younger women. Popular fabrics for it of late are Italian damask and velvet for important day wear, cotton and wool for informal. It is still also a foundation garment for front lacing dresses with the undergarment version in neutral tans. Surcoats (outer garments) are still paired with a great many things, sleeved and none. The French sleeveless is very popular, sometimes used to give style to single colored garments and to keep the interior clean. It depends on the area as to where interior or exterior displays have more proimence. In Turas Lan, there is great diversity of color but a prominence to accentuate patterns on interior wear with simplistic items over to shield them from dirt, while allowing scenic view. In Edinburgh, the fashion is given to the exterior by ornate touches.

- the kirtle's side lacing style and omission of top ties forms the basis for the completely sleeveless gown! Worn in the spring or summer, sleeveless gowns are made of silks more than oft for their ability to flow. Worn with an undergarment that is also sleeveless *held up by hidden side ties* the sleevelesss gown comes from just over the top of the breasts, some going as high as beneath the collar bone to a full flare out of the skirts. The sleeveless gown is a feat wholly attributed to the daring women of Turas Lan, none more so than the Mo'r Oukselo who once wore this style despite the public knowledge of war scars, and the Court Physician who has worn it to a function or two. The sleeveless gown is so gold in its bare upper body nature that it is often not done by but again the few very daring. Often the sleeveless gown will be seen in happy medium with a sleeved chemise worn underneath of it, colored or plain, embroidered or not, some have taken to embroidered patternwork on the sleeves and a v cut in the chemise neckline.

-The Irish court costume is a one piece gown with a slightly more square shaped bodice, often done in wools. Turas Lan is still the epicenter for fabric diversity, followed by London, and due to fighting it is only recently that the fluidity of fabric acess in Ireland is becoming common. The wealthy can afford muslin or cotton (most often local or imported bog cotton) under pinnings for it, in the flowing fashion, found to be more poetic. If the dress is given sleeves they are form fitting to the arm or are made in the bell that flares after half the arm is form fit. The irish torque necklace has made a resurgence as the rule encourages cultural re-discovery, made out out coppers as well as out of gold or silver. One such famous torque comes to us from Kildare called the Kildare dragon, wherein the scales and eye are unusually studded with emerald chip and imported diamond, showing that the Irish are taking charge.


-By trade and contact with the mediterranean cultures prior to the East, the Italian inspiration is becoming a dominant force in one piece and multi piece dress. The higher waist creates a more natural shape, with increased breast uplift as opposed to full corset binding. If waist binding is done it is done with the girdle. Beautiful damask fabrics and dyed silks are not only imported, but fashioned in Italy itself! Also a culture of loose hair in youth, styles for accentuation including ribbons and pearls have found their way into Scotland which still has an affinity for Norse and Anglo-Saxon braiding. Thin ribbons and pearls have been made into snoods for those who prefer a medium between uncovered hair while wishing more modesty, and the braids worn are reminiscent of Roman or Greek reminders. The beautiful abilty of ribboning a braid wrapped around the head of a lady is very popular. These are combined with various Anglo-Saxon and Norse braiding patterns to create delightful half updone or full updone hair in a place where it is oft uncovered at any age.

- What if a lady favors a covered head? She then turns toward the cap styles of France, given English chapel caps have proven to boxy and boring for the Celtic high born. Wire cage pieces have also never taken off (with the exception of enclosed mesh like structures over twined buns for a short time). Wimples are used across all classes ,with women of high class utlizing coronets, women of middle class using simple decorative strips of pattern across their heads. The cap style earlier described wherein a rounded tiara-esque piece sits at the crown with longer pieces to the ear can be worn solo. It is also paired with long pieces of silk in the court. Veils are also still in use to shield the high borne lady or the well to do merchant woman from the sun. We are also seeing an emergenence of hats for day to day affairs such as outside events or market trips, from the flat pillbox (Flemish in origin) or the more rounded ones with short brims, oft slight tilted on a woman's head garnered with items such as feathers. This style is not as widespread of yet, but it is gaining steam due to the use of the hat as a covering by women in London.


- There is also still a use of more longer surcoat styled dresses from the earlier medieval period among the modest women, with higher necklines. These dresses are also utilized for comfort with bell sleeves and flaring skirts, girtled with favorite local styles.

-Sleeves: Dresses as one piece construction or worn with an inset piece (done in Germany, similiar to a kirtle in idea of it side lacing but more an apron from bosom to just past mid form) are beginning to capture attention. What if a lady favors not showing off items underneath? In some circles the sleeve is merely being puffed! English half sleeves they are calling the mutton, large poofs to show off fabric. This style is not widely utilized but is an option for those who wish to show off outer fabric more than inner. What has gained some momentum are variations of the German slashed sleeve, where in fabric strips of different or one color come from the shoulder, showing the inner fabric yet covering it better than detached sleeves or bracers, and connecting again to a full sleeve that begins mere inches away from the intial sleeve slash. The slashed sleeve is what is done in Turas Lan, and with distinctions made by the Welsh to the technique for a local flavor. The rich in Wales have their slashed sleeves done with embroidered works. Welsh court dress has a certain element of romance that the other Celtic nations envy, though it the rotation of Welsh influence is now on par with that of England or North Ireland. It's reformation the last several years has led to distinct blendings of English and it's own local flare in form fitting gowns.

Women utilize dress for different daily periods, ceremony, religious occasion, as well as vocational necessity in both middle and upper class. The access to dies allows for color diveristy in merchant wear if they can not access the exquisite silks, velvets, damask, and samite available to the nobility.

Dress for the Common Woman

Women of work ethic within guilds(often better monied and heading toward upper merchant status) utilize velvet as over-robes to their wool or cotton based clothes on special occasion, favoring clothing made of other materials for daily business while still being presentable. It is not uncommon to see a guild or merchant level woman in expensive wools while her lower class cousins are far more plain by comparison.

- The common woman is wearing simplified versions of her normal smock and kirtle, tunics tied in fabric, or if she is fortunate enough for time and effort has a one piece dress or simple two or three piece variant (smock and skirt, smock, bodice and skirt) in earth toned colors or bright yellows. Skirts allow her to fufill the petticoat idealogy, tucking up the newer ones with the old underneath and also utilizing aprons. Cottage industry commoners slowly advancing in resources have access to shades of blue as well, and olive or forest greens. Wool-dyers from Mann are said to have shades of red and skirts with three tiers, their colors reminiscent of a type of peasent gypsy.

Shoes for the Woman: Noble and Merchant/Middle Class

The shoe construction is that of a boot formation, ankle length or slightly higher at times, flat prefered. There is the emergence of a low heel in women's footwear though there has been more done to men's shoes as time has gone on. They are able to be colored in leather, and the trend of patterened slippers in fabric has emerged with hardened soles. There is access to the sandle though it is not favored by these women to show their feet or ankles, as it is immodest. furs can be used as lining on the shoes or within for warmth during cold and rainy seasons or as point of merit.

Shoes for the Women: Common

Bare feet is still common among the peasentry of Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales, Skye Isles, and Mann as a whole. If electing to wear shoes they utilize the simple multi leather or even basic fabric soft sole with sides to cover the foot. There is an acesss though now to sandals as the clergy may use, but by some it is seen as a silly expense. Shoes however do seem to denote a rise in status and class.

Jewelry for the Woman: All Monied Classes

One of the most extensive luxury works is jewelry, and the merchant and noble classes are prone to displays based upon their individual mood, though the style is tasteful between a full showing of necklace, earrings, bracelets, hair ornaments, and gowns to the simple stating of jewels in one piece or another. Torques are in fashion, not only in the Celtic but Norse variations, with a renewed interest in knotwork appearing in Orkney silver jewelry quite popular in the Northern Sheltands. In the South among the main contingent of Islands, Gold and silver are used interchangably along with imported precious stones such as emeralds, rubies, different colored sapphires, and different colored diamonds. Some women have taken to wearing cut gems in singular, with no setting on ribbons or suspended on Sleat pearls. Women's belts are anything from leather or braided fabric chords given a lady of the manor is often not without various tools such as keys or a pouch for money, though there is a trend of chording made from pearl and gold chain with suspended pomander balls, also jewled, releasing perfume. Unlike other portions of Europe, there is not the necessity for the pomander to ward away ill humors, as there is an access to water in noble homes favoring the Roman style of pumped water or access to pumps. Boiled water is most common in all classes or a river bath, which lends itself to the unusual note in this age as to why the Celtic peoples are in such good health when bathing is by no means a common European thing.

In Ireland as well as Wales, there is a beautiful tradition of shaped silver jewelry devoid of stone, or with single stone such as garnet hanging.



Court and Common Clothes: Men (All Clothing and Accessories)

- Men are by their very nature far simpler to the construction of their clothing than women. Where once men were the ones to find changing fashions based on the male prominence in court, politics, business, etc, they have taken to simplifying their ensembles while bemoaning the ornate ties of their female counterparts. Men have taken to wearing trews or breeches tucked into boots of leather coming up higher on the leg than previous generations, and sans curled toes. There seems to be a certain pride taken in men as to what is more masculine than others. Tunics are still worn over breeches, as are surcoats as outer coverings or with armor. Mantles and cloaks are utilized by all classes given the lack of sumptuary laws (class is easily denoted by fabric and color use). Irish hoods are utilized as head coverings for men of all classes, preferably in neutral colors though cases of the famed Red have been shown. Shoes are also shown to have ties and open top soles, or are of the ghille varieity in a boot form.


-Clansmen utlized jewelry in displays broaches, clan shields, and in Ireland the torque is spreading in popularity among some Scottish Clans, favorably the MacDonalds of Raasay, the MacLeods and a few Mainland counterparts, where in Southern Scotland it is thinner than the heavier varities. All men of stature have some sort of signet ring (common in noble families), buckles with the most ornate done by the upper echelons. In Scotland there is a lack buckle use among the Highlands with the advent of the sporan bag, and even those among trew wearers wear some sort of pouch on their belts. Belts though are fashioned from leather and patterened, their claspings in silver often understanted. Those who do wear buckles are in the Southern Uplands and the Lowlands, Wales, England, and parts of Ireland.

-The common man wears long tunics as it is a quick and easy construction with the occasional pair of rough spun breeches.He is still common to wear hose constructed from old garment or woven wool. If he is able to sell his goods and profit, he may wear a simple belt of leather to house his tools or one of rope if he is not as fortunate. There is some relief given to what would be the poor farmer given the lack of true fuedal system in the Islands by law, with practice on the inner and outer Hebrides, mainland Scotland, and now England. It is an insitution in Ireland as a sign of respect through the levels of classes, but each are allowed to maintain monies without such exorbant tax as to leave the peasent without means. Welsh society enjoys a certain level of new liquidity in class structure similiar to that of Skye.

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Fashion, Part IV

Exotic Imports

A style of fashion wholly unique to Turas Lan's culture is the utlizing of foreign influence into base European designs. The Knights Templar foundation had a direct link to trade that was unknown until the revelation of Templar residency with China, India, and in certain cases Nihon as well as the Middle East and Africa. The imported fashions not only came with merchants, but with traveling bands of indigenous people, most particularly the various tribes of nomads, called Gypsies (after their nickname of Little Egyptians, a banished group forced to roam Egypt after pledging loyalty to God over polytheism), who did not come from Egypt but are from India, various portions of Arabia and Turkey, the Mongol Empire, who have blended with distinct roots in the Balkans and across Eastern Europe, as well as in England. The Celts have their own brand of traveling folk too that took on these foreign flares from traveling cousin known simply as Irish Travelers, or the Shelta, after the lanaguage they speak. Otherwise, most true styles come from explorers accounts or direct interaction with foreign nobles and merchants.


- The Gypsies (Rom or Roma, Gitanos in Spain, various names) have a certain sense for color and always have though Europe was drab and dressing for religious conservatives in the earlier times. It is from the gypsy we see such things as the multi tiered skirt with each tier being a different color, different bodice styles and colors, bells, and other things tied to clothing. Their head kerchiefs are also bright. Some Rom such as the Kalderash abstain from red due to its corrolation with menstrustration and death, though others incoroorate it in varying shades. Women with access to different colors across classes have tried to mimic certain aspects of lively gypsy attire, most admirably executing the use of bells on shoes or in clothing to create an effect known as the 'Chimes of Skye' wherein the women seem to 'chime and sing' as they walk.

-Another object brought in by both gypsies, bedouins, Hindu, and African people is the wrapping and concealing of hair under turbans or ornate wrapped fashions around the head. While it is not mimiced much, it can be noted that women have been wrapping their hair in single cloth knots for ages among peasents and servants to keep their hair out of their eyes. Only the 'eecentric' merchants have taken to wearing Turbans from any area of the world in their wanting to feel as sultans, pashas, maharaja's, etc. They do this in a variety of fabric with jeweled ornamentation.

-Ivory pieces and art are common in areas of the world such as Asia and Africa as they are taken from the tusks of elephants. Ivory carvings in jewelry or brooches are not uncommon among the well traveled merchants, and ivory objects are utlized as gifts among men of the navy seeking commision with royalty as well as nobles. The prevalence of ivory in Celtic Europe is phenomenon attributed to Turas Lan on the famous 'Carnival Lane', within the Guild Hall Markets, and in London.

-Colored Jades are a Chinese import just as famous as the inventions of the printing press which attributes to Celtic education and the use of fire in battle which can be seen in the King's love of cannons. Jades are not only ornate pieces for the home, but Jade jewelry is common among foreign merchant's wives and is a popular gift among noble class women. It is said that some of the finest pieces of Jade can be found not in Turas Lan, but outside of it, in the Bant Chan Ser Valley of Central Skye.

- In Clothing, Chinese cheogsam, the robe style dress of the country has found an enjoyment particularly among artisans who favorite it for its fluidity and non binding nature (artisans wear it with simple inner tie closures, frog clasps, using the sash as an outward display of color). These garments spread out across the Orient to be interprented ina variety of ways. The Nihon kimono features seasonal variations, types, sash closures (called the obi) and patterns as per season. The chinese robe is also ornate and structured based on Dynasty or court flavors. The basic patterns of each gament have made it to the Celtic countries, and are utlized in single dress styles worn over underskirts, featuring both the high Chinese collar and the low neck exposure of the Nihon kimono. Of the two, the Chinese influence is more prominent as Chinese cultural items are as accessible via the Templar as Arabic, Hindi, and African ones. The gowns are beautiful in any fabric variation, for the simple ones utlize matching or favorable color contrasts, and the more ornate ones for both men and women are done in silk. There is a local silk market, fueled by both imports from China, the Byzantine, Italy, and with the shipment of careful raw materials from Italy, there are silk weaving Artisans exclusive to the school in Turas Lan with expansion as artists into the Bant Chan Ser. Because of this silk embroidery and silk painting are also sought after art mediums.

- From India, one distinct object of fashion has been the head jewels called the mantikka, the ornament worn in the center hair part in women and in the middle of the forehead. A great example of class designation in place of a coronet, these hair jewels have been given as a gift to people of station, the wives of military officials, nobles, and more. One variation of the Indian gem is a coronet styled hair ornament made out of chain link silver, gold, or pearls with a mantikka styled center. Traditional sari has been spotted in Carnival Lane and the open markets, but as of yet Hindi travel to the realms is sparse, as is travel to India itself.

- The veil as it is done in the likes of Arabia or Northern African areas of Arab influence is utilized by ladies afraid of sun exposure with a decisively western flair, Tucked under their coronets and only across the face to show the eyes, but not the entirity of the body. Rich women favor silk veils of varying colors or degrees of sheerness if the sun is not overmuch. This style is up for some degree of debate, given the uncovered heads also attribute to uncovered faces across the realm. Yet for those who favor modesty, it is an exceptional blend of modesty and fashion. For the face revealing woman who covers her hair, there has been seen beautiful silk veils under caps of various patterns.