Burlap

Burlap is a signature product in the Empire, and is made from the fibers of the hardy northern jute plants that thrive in almost any climate. The ubiquity of the plant's cultivation along mud paths and in otherwise unusable plots of peasant land ensure that there is always a steady supply of raw material for the commoners who fashion it into various textiles. Most peasant households in the Empire have at least one person who is skilled enough to produce burlap and create garments, with most of these simply being used by the same household to avoid the expense of buying cloth. Many would-be entrepreneurs sell burlap goods at the market, but few of these merchants fare well: those poor enough to wear burlap typically source their burlap from a family member or friend, while those who can afford to buy clothing tend to purchase imported linens or silks. As such, burlap has come to be seen a visible symbol of low social status, as well as the cottage industry that exemplifies the state of industry in the present era.

Nonetheless, burlap remains the most common textile in the Empire. While it may not be fashionable, it is as durable, practical, and unpretentious as the countless folk that wear it.

Type

Textile