Clothing

Clothing styles

Commoners

Commoners across Helerin typically dress in practical clothes made of readily-available and (where possible) durable materials. Cotton, jute, and linen are frequently used.
In hotter months, men typically wear a sleeveless vest or light, belted, tunic. Legs may be bare, or covered by short leggings reaching to the calf. When it is cooler, longer leggings or trousers and shirts or heavier tunics may be worn. Men of the Seynan Islands typically wear a short kilt year-round. Kazlaa males often go bare-chested. The Drile, for obvious reasons, do not require trousers.

Women generally wear light dresses or skirts and vests. Shirts and shawls are often adopted in cooler months. Women may wear leggings or trousers when travelling or if their job requires more practical attire.
Both sexes will often wear woollen or fur cloaks in winter.
Sandals are common, although sturdy leather boots are typically worn for more physical labour. The hooved Makkun do not require footwear.
Woven hats with wide brims may be worn by those working outdoors in the summer heat. Women may also wear simple headdresses.

Artisans and tradespeople

Those with more money dress in similar fashion to commoners, but their clothes will be more decorative, and made of finer materials.

Clothes will often feature adornments such as elaborate stiching, and may be dyed in brighter colours. Decoration may include symbols relating to the individual's profession.
An item or two of jewellery may be worn, although these are often discrete so as not to attract the attention of thieves.
Educated professionals, such as scribes or officials, may wear clothing similar to the wealthy and powerful, but in much simpler form and made from lower-quality materials.

Nobility and the wealthy

Helerin's wealthiest citizens dress in the finest quality clothing. Materials may include silks, exotic hides, or rare and delicate fibres.
Styles are more elaborate, with dyed or stitched patterns, ornate stitching, and ostentatious adornments such as buckles, buttons, or feathers. Jewellery, including bangles, necklaces, rings, and brooches, will be on full display.

Men may wear leggings, trousers, or skirts, and a tunic or long robe worn open. Women wear light dresses, or skirts worn with a vest or bodice under a long robe. Bare skin is often displayed.
Both males and females often wear elaborate headdresses or veilled hoods when outdoors.
Nobles and officials may wear armour when abroad or on state business.
In Teros and the Mar Mabon Townships, clothing tends to be more ostentatious: brighter colours, wide hats, and more visible jewellery. Clothing is often lighter or more revealling as a response to the warmer climate of these lands.

Religious clothing

Priests typically wear long, loose robes in the symbolic colours of their deity.

Decoration varies widely between cults and orders. Some, such as the followers of Mavani or Frenar will often wear simple or sombre robes without adornment, others (such as the priests of Balcosh) may wear brightly patterned robes and jewellery.
Woollen or fur cloaks may be added in colder times.
Armour is rarely worn by priests during peacetime, with the chief exception being priests of Piatok in ceremonies relating to his role as god of battle.

Warriors and adventurers

Guards, mercenaries, and those travelling in dangerous lands, will often wear armour. Leather and chainmail are most common, and this may be adorned with motifs or other decoration. Plate armour is rarely worn outside of battle, and even then a full suit is very rare.
See also: Weapons and armour.

Prices

The table below gives typical prices for common items of clothing. Note that these reflect garments for ordinary citizens - finer quality will cost signficantly more than the prices shown here, and be harder to source!

This table gives examples of prices for jewellery. Note that gemstone adornments have not been included; prices for gems can be found here: Materials and commodities.