Surcoat Aleran, left, blue, wool mix

Product description

Discover the new Mi Parti collection from Burgschneider! The surcoat Aleran consists of two halves that are sold separately, allowing you to assemble a mi parti surcoat as desired. Fasten the left side to the right side with the buttons. If you belong to different medieval LARP and reenactment groups, a great many colour combinations can be achieved with just a few left and right sides. The surcote is a garment that dates back to the 12th century. It was worn above other clothing, with a wealth of heraldry and decorative elements, and served to clearly distinguish friend from foe in the heat of battle. The Surcoat "Aleran" is crafted from a heavy wool fabric with a deep colour, well-suited to all weather conditions. From the 11th to the 16th century, the "mi-parti" (partially coloured) style of dress was popular, joining two differently coloured fabrics at the centre. The effect is a colour contrast that frequently creates a dramatic look. In the Middle Ages, mi-parti was an important style amongst cloaks, tabards, dresses, trousers and gowns. The earliest examples of this style date back to the 9th and 10th centuries, where split colours were employed on legs and shoes — the boots were half one colour and half the other. During the High Middle Ages, the mi-parti style grew in popularity as colour symbolism in clothing became increasingly significant. The colours often stood for a particular status or allegiance. The style became more widespread in the 13th and 14th centuries, when many men, especially vassals, adopted the coats of arms of their feudal lords. Towards the end of the 16th century, the style gradually fell out of favour.