Clothing

The raiment of the Peoples of Arda was as varied as their lands and customs. Though few detailed accounts survived from the days of the War of the Ring, the legendss of Men, the chronicles of the Elves, and the tales preserved among the Hobbits offer glimpses into the attire worn in those times. Garments served not only to shield the body from wind and weather, but also to mark lineage, station, and allegiance, and in some cases bore enchantments of preservation or protection.

The Hobbits of the Shire, a peace-loving folk of gentle habits, favoured simple and practical clothing. Their garments were chiefly of wool or linen, dyed in warm, earthy hues. Breeches were worn loose, and vests or jackets fastened with buttons of horn or wood. Felt hats or soft caps were common, and belts served both for fit and ornament. The dress of Hobbit-women is less often recorded, yet it is said they wore plain gowns, sometimes adorned with floral embroidery or patterns of field and harvest.

The Dwarves, dwelling in halls beneath the mountains, clad themselves in sturdy garb suited to stonework and forge. Their boots were heavy, sometimes pointed, and their tunics thickly woven. Over these they wore hooded cloaks, often of dark hue. Their headgear ranged from peaked hoods to soft jelly-bag caps. Belts bore the emblems of their houses, and it was told that some garments were threaded with silver or even mithril, though such finery was reserved for high days and feasts.

The clothing of Men differed greatly across the wide lands of Middle-earth. In [Bree]] and the western lands of Eriador, the common folk wore garb not unlike that of Hobbits: waistcoats, shirts, cloaks, and plain boots. In Rhovanion and Dale, men wore long tunics and trousers, with light shoes and hoods akin to those of Elves and Dwarves. The Lake-men, dwelling by the Long Lake, favoured garments resistant to wind and spray, and their cloaks were often lined with fish-hide or waxed cloth.

The Dúnedain, heirs of Númenor and heirs of ancient lore, dressed with dignity and restraint. Their cloaks were long and sometimes fur-lined. Their colours were deep and noble: midnight blue, silver-grey, and sable. Embroideries bore the White Tree, stars of Elendil the Tall, or other sigils of old. It is said that some among them wore garments woven with hidden runes, taught to them in elder days by the Elves of Beleriand.

Types of Clothing[]

Akallin Alu Andyeth Anthennath Bacha Baith Baithri Balbush Belt Bog-Shoes Boots Brach Braith Braitha Breeches Brigandine Broz Bruk Cap Cape Carab Carma Cassa Castol Choker Clasp Cloak Clogs Coif Coll Colla Collar Cowl Crisiath Dorashak Dress eksiqilta Esgal Fân Fana Fanna Fanta Fanwa Frangaubi Garob Gloves Gown Grail Gwab Gwablith Gwathra Habach Habad Habin Halya Hammad Hammael Hamp Harn Harna Harpa Hat Helf Heleth Hemp High Boots Hood Hosse Hyapat Idanc Jacket Kalloda Kalth Kama Kapuk Karape Kasma Kasul Kirtle Koll Kullodoo Laim Lann Lanne Lapa Lappa Larma Lath Laub Laupe Lest Lesta Lhath Límen Livery Mantl Mantele Mantle Mackintosh Mirlene Múr Ôf Oilskin Ormin Pantaloons Pantyhose Patinka Pess Phanâ Phanmâ Phantâ Plaid Qilta Quilta Raiment Robe Sabots Saipo Sandals Scarf Shali Shawl Shirt Shoes Skal Skhapa Skirt Slipper Socks Sól Sollerets Solma Span Stockings String Tabard Taew Tampa Táta Telma Telme Thennath Thôl Tholon Thong Tights Tlum Toba Tôd Togli Tôl Torft Trew Trousers Tubrin Tunic Túp Usti Vacco Vaima Vaita Vakko Vasar Veil Vest Vestment vóre Waistcoat Wrap Zawarli

Legendary Items[]

• Boots from Erebor
• Boots of Yark Balka
• Cloak of Lórien
• Cloak of Tamaras
• Dúrin's Belt
• Elven Cloak
• Faramir's Cloak
• Girdle of Radagast
• Glove of Radagast
• Huntsman's Garb
• Many-coloured Robes
• Morgul-cloak
• Narvi's Belt
• Pallando's Hood
• Shadow-Cloak

Notes[]

J.R.R. Tolkien rarely describes clothing in Middle-earth, or at least not in detail. Some of his comments may imply that he imagined the clothes of his cultures as similar to those of the Bayeux tapestry or Arthurian times, however other elements hint to Norse or antique Mediterranean, or even Egyptian influence (the crown of Gondor for example). Most detailed information can be drawn from his illustrations. He drew Hobbits dressed like a mix of late medieval and early modern times (in fact a note in The New Shadow mentions a "Mackintosh", a raincoat not invented before the 19th century): baggy breeches, vests, jackets, tunics or button-down shirt, belts, hats or caps made of felt. Female Hobbits seem to have worn dresses, although these were scarcely mentioned. Dwarves wore heavy (though sometimes somewhat pointed) boots, breeches, pieces of clothing similar to stockings or knee-highs, tunics, jackets, pointed hoods or cowls or jelly-bag caps and hooded cloaks. Elves wore light pointed shoes, breeches, sometimes pieces of clothing similar to stockings or knee-highs, long sleeved tunics, long robes or cloaks (sometimes hooded), pointed hoods or cowls similar to jelly-bag caps, sometimes headbands seem to be alluded to. Female Elves wore long raiments or robes, sometimes obviously veils, one time a headpiece perhaps resembling a coif or bonnet is mentioned. Men seem to have worn clothes similar to Hobbits in Eriador (or Bree) and similar to Dwarves in Rhovanion (or Dale). Edain and Dúnedain seem to have worn clothes similar to Elves: Boromir wore a cloak lined with fur. The Lake-men wore long-sleeved tunics, long trousers, light shoes and the pointed hoods or cowls or jelly-bag caps which were also worn by Elves and Dwarves. Other mannish clothes mentioned are high boots, robes, tunics, hoods, breeches, vests, shirts, and coats. Orcs seem to have worn hobnailed boots, hairy breeches, tunics, broad belts, black coats or cloaks.