Elven Clothing

[grey gazania]

My google-fu and indices-combing have failed me spectacularly on this topic - what do we know about elven clothing? I'm looking specifically at the Noldor, Falathrim, and Mithrim Sindar in the 1st Age; were there any mores or customs regarding appropriate or inappropriate attire? Was clothing gendered, and if so how strictly? I'm not planning to send my elves off in bikinis or anything; mostly I'm wondering about the gender norms.

[erulisse]

I've been doing a lot of work in the early years, and Tolkien really didn't get much into clothing descriptions. For male elves it usually seemed to be on the order of leggings or trousers with a shirt, covered by a short or long tunic and sometimes additional outer garments such as tabards and/or robes. Females seemed to have standard gowns of undergowns with overgowns and sometimes underskirts, shirts/blouses, and overdresses. I imagine that over time the length of the tunics and embellishments would constitute current fashion along with colors/earth colors (usually more associated with the Nandor, Sindar and Avari). Specific cuts for dress styles would also be in or out of fashion. I think I'm very grateful that I'm not living in those times - I'm such a fashion dud.

I think Tolkien actually did a bit more with armour than he ever did with fashion. And I happily would stand for any corrections given by my fellow Lizards if they can find any. (Of course, I'm too lazy to check my HoME right now, and there may well be something in there.)

- Erulisse (one L)

[grey gazania]

That helps, thanks!

[samtyr]

You might find this link of interest: "Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700-1915" even though it has nothing to do with elves or Tolkien.

www.lacma.org/art/ExhibFashioningFashion.aspx

The clothes are amazing, especially the woman's mantle (cape) from 1891, and the man's .suit from 1760. If nothing else, it helps me to imagine the extremely high level of skill, detail and craftmanship that must have gone into the more elaborate Elven clothing.

[nierielraina]

Mar 5, 2011 18:40:45 GMT -6 grey gazania said:

I'm not planning to send my elves off in bikinis or anything;

I think I'd pay to see that pulled off in a fic.

I've never read Tolkien give any description of attire beyond certain elves wore green and brown and some wore armor. No embellisment on description, so you're pretty much at liberty to pull from whichever culture/time period you desire. I like the clothing from the movies, personally, though I have my own ideas...but I write primarily in the Third and Fourth ages. Erulisse nailed the basics, I think, though I'd love to see someone break out of the fanon accepted 'medieval' dress for M-e. So... bring on the bikinis! Or more speficially... speedos. ;D

[grey gazania]

Mar 6, 2011 22:21:32 GMT -6 @nierielraina said:

Erulisse nailed the basics, I think, though I'd love to see someone break out of the fanon accepted 'medieval' dress for M-e. So... bring on the bikinis! Or more speficially... speedos. ;D

How about Elrond in a mankini? (If I succeed in writing this I'm blaming you.)

And Samtyr, wow, that link. My fingers hurt just looking at the mantle, but it is gorgeous!

[nierielraina]

Mar 8, 2011 9:41:20 GMT -6 grey gazania said:

How about Elrond in a mankini? (If I succeed in writing this I'm blaming you.)

My evil work here is done. ;D

[sanna]

Here follows a clothing-related rambling, feel free to ignore

Given Tolkien's expertise in all things medieval I've always imagined the peoples of his world dressed after the fashions of the Middle Ages.

Much like now clothes were used in letting others know about one's status and wealth, up to a point where sumptuary laws were enforced (there are examples from 16th Century Germany where the amount of pleats in aprons were regulated according to the woman's social status, and a case in 14th Century Italy where a woman was charged for embroidering her hood with too valuable items for her standing; she won the case but was summoned in front of the court again some time later for continuing the embroidery. She won again).

For some reason in my mind I see Gondolin being a place with a plethora of these kinds of laws.

There were differences in how men and women dressed but because the differences in gender was thought to be more social than biological clothing was not designed to emphasize the differences in male and female body but the wealth and status.



I don't know why it is tagged to be from the Luttrel Psalter when it is from the Romance of Alexander but there it is to demonstrate how the male and female bodies are perceived to be similar.

I remember reading from somewhere Elves having a similar attitude towards the gender differences. Men and women might have been seen more or less equal in biological sense (as in not having men's jobs and women's jobs) but the female leaders and action heroes are thin on the ground

But because Middle-earth is imaginary I see no trouble in having Elves in bikinis.

After all, there is a pair of Roman bikini bottoms on display in Museum of London.

[elleth]

Mar 12, 2011 2:44:48 GMT -6 sanna said:

After all, there is a pair of Roman bikini bottoms on display in Museum of London.

Neat! I didn't know there had been actual finds, though a 3rd century mosaic of bikini girls from Piazza Armerina also exists. Still, nothing beats mankini!Elrond! ;D

/OT

[erulisse]

Visions of a store display window of Ralph Lauren underwear mannikins of Elrond, Glorfindel and Feanor just hit my eyes. Excuse me while I enjoy this mental movie for a little while....

- Erulisse (one L)

[Darth Fingon]

Here's something I came across in Lost Tales that gives a hint as to what was appropriate for women in Gondolin:

the people called her Idril of the Silver Feet in that she went ever barefoot and bareheaded, king's daughter as she was, save only at pomps of the Ainur

Nothing specific in there, but it does indicate that shoes were the norm, and also (more interestingly) that women generally covered their hair.