Creating your own medieval costume can be an enjoyable and budget-friendly project, especially if you’re aiming for historical accuracy. Whether you’re involved in reenactment, educational events, or just passionate about history, it’s possible to craft a simple, authentic look without spending a fortune.
This guide focuses specifically on medieval European clothing—roughly from the 9th to 15th centuries.
- Understand the Basics of Medieval Dress
Medieval clothing varied by region, century, and social class, but the foundations were surprisingly consistent, especially for common folk. Most garments were made from simple rectangular constructions and minimal tailoring.
Key distinctions:
- Early Medieval (9th–11th century): T-tunics, layered wool, and minimal embellishment.
- High Medieval (12th–13th century): More fitted garments began to appear, including the bliaut and gown.
- Late Medieval (14th–15th century): Tailoring advanced, with curved seams, tighter sleeves, and the emergence of the houppelande, cotehardie, and gown with buttons.
For beginners, the clothing of peasants and tradespeople (who wore simpler, more practical garments) is the most approachable and easiest to make.
- Basic Garments to Recreate
Here are the key elements of medieval dress that are both historically accurate and achievable for hobbyists:
For Men:
- Tunic (Cotte or Kyrtle): Knee-length or longer, worn over a linen shirt. Rectangular construction with gussets under the arms and at the sides for movement.
- Undertunic (Linen): Worn beneath the outer tunic; typically undyed or off-white.
- Hose (Wool): Separate leg coverings pinned to a belt or later joined at the top.
- Wool Cloak: Semi-circular or rectangular, pinned with a brooch or tied with cords.
For Women:
- Shift or Chemise (Linen): The base layer, typically white or unbleached.
- Kyrtle or Cotte: A long, slightly fitted gown with sleeves; outer garment worn over the shift.
- Surcote (Sleeveless): Worn over the kyrtle in later centuries.
- Veil or Wimple: Head coverings were essential for married women.
- Apron (for lower classes): Often white or undyed linen.
From Decretals of Gregory
Basic T Tunic
- Fabric and Colour Choices
Authentic fabrics:
- Wool: The most common material for outer garments. Use lightweight wool or wool blends.
- Linen: Used for undergarments and shirts. Bleached or unbleached linen is both accurate and comfortable.
- No cotton: Cotton was extremely rare and not used in medieval Europe for common clothing.
Affordable options:
- Cotton muslin or broadcloth – Lightweight and easy to sew
- Fleece – Great for cloaks and cowls, mimics wool
- Canvas or twill – Sturdy and ideal for tunics or tabards
- Thrifted sheets or curtains – Surprisingly authentic look at a very low price
Stick to tones commonly found from natural dyes made from items such as herbs, berries, spices; like brown, greens, blue, grey, yellows, cream, or burgundy for a more realistic look. Bright neon colours and synthetic shine should be avoided. Crushed velvet was not available during medieval times. Purple was a rare colour used by nobles.
- Affordable Materials and Construction Tips
Where to find fabric:
- Thrifted 100% wool garments (like coats or skirts) to cut and repurpose
- Linen tablecloths or curtains from secondhand stores
- Wool-blend yardage on clearance or online sales See: supercheapfabrics.com.au or watch Lincraft stores for their 40-50% off fabric sales.
Construction:
- Hand-stitch visible parts if you can – it adds authenticity.
- Don’t overcomplicate – medieval people wore layers, not complexity.
- Weather or age your costume for realism. Light tea-dyeing or sandpapering can make garments look lived-in.
- Historical Accessories on a Budget
Headwear:
- Men: Coif (close-fitting linen cap), hood (with shoulder-length cape)
- Women: Veil (simple linen rectangle), wimple (wrapped under chin), fillet (linen band around head)
Belts:
- Narrow leather
6. Real-Life Examples on a Budget
Example 1: 13th-Century Peasant Man
A practical, humble outfit based on depictions in medieval manuscripts and period effigies.
Garments:
- Linen undertunic (chemise/shirt): Made from a thrifted linen tablecloth or old linen sheet
- Wool outer tunic (kyrtle): Repurposed from a thrift store wool skirt or blanket
- Braies (underpants): Made from muslin or old white linen, drawstring waist
- Wool leg wraps or hose: Cut from a thrifted wool sweater or worn long socks
- Leather belt: Thrifted narrow belt with simple buckle
Accessories:
- Linen coif or wool hood: Sewn from scraps
- Shoes: Plain leather shoes (e.g. desert boots), optionally covered with shoe wraps – Already owned or secondhand
✅ Historical Notes:
This outfit mimics how lower-class men dressed in rural Europe—functional and layered for warmth, often made entirely from homespun or repurposed fabrics.
Example 2: 14th-Century Working Woman
A believable outfit for a craftswoman or peasant during the 1300s.
Garments:
- Linen shift (underdress): Made from a large white cotton/linen sheet or thrifted nightgown
- Wool or linen kyrtle (overdress): Thrifted wool skirt or curtain, sewn into a simple fitted dress with side gores
- Apron: Made from scrap linen or canvas
- Wool hood or shoulder cape: Made from a secondhand wool scarf or blanket
- Leather or cloth belt: Thrifted
Accessories:
- Veil or wimple: White linen or cotton fabric, cut and pinned over the head
- Drawstring pouch or belt bag: Made from wool or leather scraps
- Shoes: Low-profile, undecorated flats or boots – Already owned or secondhand
✅ Historical Notes:
Married women would have their hair covered in public. Layers were practical and modest.
Example 3: Early Medieval (Viking-Age) Labourer
Inspired by archaeological finds from 9th–11th century Scandinavia and Anglo-Saxon England.
Garments:
- Linen undertunic: Handmade from linen sheet or old curtain
- Wool overtunic: Rectangular construction with side gores, made from a wool throw or coat
- Wool leg wraps: Cut from old wool sweater or blanket strips
- Braies: Made from undyed linen or muslin
Accessories:
- Tablet-woven belt (optional): Can be substituted with a plain belt if tablet-weaving is not an option
- Simple cloak: Rectangular wool piece fastened with a brooch (or large pin)
✅ Historical Notes:
This outfit fits both men and women and reflects early medieval layering traditions. Tunics were cut from basic shapes, and few sewing tools were needed.
Example 4: 15th-Century Urban Artisan
Reflecting the growing urban class, this kit is a little more tailored but still modest.
Garments:
- Linen shirt or chemise: Made from thrifted fabric or shirt
- Wool doublet or fitted cote: Thrifted blazer with altered buttons removed and replaced with ties
- Wool hose or thick wool tights
- Wool tunic or gown (layered over doublet): From a secondhand blanket or coat
- Plain leather belt and pouch
Accessories:
- Liripipe hood: Distinctive long-tailed hood made from felted wool
- Turnshoes substitute: Plain leather shoes with ankle coverage – used or modified
✅ Historical Notes:
As tailoring improved, more fitted garments became common, especially in towns and cities. Buttons and tight sleeves appeared in the late 14th–15th centuries.
Pro Tips for All Kits
- Salvage materials from thrift stores – look for wool skirts, linen pants, or tablecloths.
- Hand-finishing seams (even if the base is machine sewn) adds authenticity.
- Avoid obvious modern features – no plastic buttons, zippers, or shiny fabrics.
- Use museum images and effigies (like the Maciejowski Bible or Luttrell Psalter) for visual references.
Final Thoughts
Making your own medieval costume doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a little creativity, a few basic materials, and a bit of resourcefulness, you can craft an outfit that looks like it stepped out of history. Start simple, build up your costume over time, and most importantly – have fun with it!
Let your imagination (and budget) guide you, and you’ll be ready to wow at the Festival without breaking the bank.
You can however take inspiration from many of the reenactors to inspire you for something more challenging!
(Click image below to scroll)
RESOURCES
Sewing Patterns – See Lincraft and Spotlight for patterns.
Lots of print your own patterns sold on Etsy. Search historical medieval pattern or reenactor pattern for accuracy.
TIPS:
- See Youtube for heaps of tutorials and information
- Follow blogs of reenactors and makers
- Watch out for Lincraft and Spotlight regular storewide sales for savings on fabrics
- Scour op shops for fabrics and wool blankets to repurpose.