About 50 years ago I cut a slit in an Army Blanket and put my head through it. If I needed to, I would wrap a belt around it. It kept me warm on cold nights. Simple, and I'm almost old enough to make it historically accurate..... so it goes...
@@Samtzu As he was pulling out those mossy-colored wool rectangles, I too thought of the old blankets we had in the barracks. I also thought about the poncho with regard to the shapes, although not exactly, of course
@@MarcillaSmith I have had a poncho liner for the last forty years, and use it as a light blanket.... which is basically all it is. When was in SE Asia I wore a REAL poncho a lot of the time.... I want to get another one. They were just the correct weight and thickness....
Here in Colombia, the Ruana is a cloak from pre-Colombian times that is still used (made of oiled alpaca wool to repel rain) and it is literally a slit in a rectangle. It works, better than a raincoat because you can put it over top of your backpack, puppy, dozen eggs, lace doilies, whatever it is you're carrying.
Another important purpose of a cloak that is often overlooked is to keep the wearer safe from biting insects. When you lived before insect repellent, biting insects were a constant nuisance that could spread disease, and could often bite through a few layers of linen or wool. So a baggier outer layer where the cloth isn't resting directly on the skin helped immensely.
I wear a classic cloak almost regularly, and live in a lagoon. I can confirm I had experienced all the pro and cons listed here, using it on a daily basis along with my tunic and cloak. I'll probably try the Gandalf tunic, tryin' up a small and large version, possibly with a clasp. My cloak's a ¾, but I've a full-wheel one that's incredibly heavy and encumbering, but damn warm. I'll need to experiment a bit.
Re: not believing someone in the medieval would not think of the style, Gandalf's cloak is based on a real Roman cloak called the paenula. I have a wool one, it's amazing.
Having done a lot of hiking, I can say that one feature of a cloak I want is that it can fit over the back pack, protecting it from the elements. Sure it makes you look like a hunchback, but keeping the stuff in your pack dry is super important.
I was hoping someone would mention this: "Looking stupid" and "my backpack is super cool" doesn't negate that the cloak has the functionality that you are looking for. I wore the first cloak I ever made, a standard front opening one, for over a decade (until someone else lost it). It was my favorite piece for travel; both car and air. I am looking for a cloak that will help me thermo-regulate in the variety of temperatures I will encounter. When it's cold, I wrap up as tight as possible. When it's warm I throw it over my shoulders (I had nice tailored shoulder seams, so it rarely slid back on my neck when I did this). A cloak that doesn't cover my legs, is mostly just a fashion piece. I've done backpacks both under and over the cloak and it has always been fine. You get strange looks, but you'll get strange looks in any cloak.
If you have a tailored cloak you can flip it over your backpack (for rain protection) or flip it over my shoulders (for tasks/swordplay) All it takes is a tailored hood that's double layered to put the weight in the shoulders rather than on the clasp/tie point Maybe Australians have figured it out better, since we use them alot over here
@@craftalchemy8621 idk for me I prefer a cloak that doesnt cover the legs because I bike a lot and so anything longer than just over my hips will just be in the way and a general neusance while not protecting my legs from the rain anyway. but a shorter cloak does help surprisingly well while still keeping my mobility. I have mutliple tiyes and lengths of cloaks though
11:20 · The section leading up to the quote begins here, discussing LotR Eleven Cloaks, and ends with the quote at the timestamp below. Definitely a section worthy of release as a Short. Perhaps with the Short beginning earlier than the timestamp above. 11:50 · Quote
As a human who has made and worn a lot of cloaks and capes…I gotta say I’m pretty impressed with your proposal. Purely from a construction stand point the lack of curved edges make my sewist heart soar. But from a practicality standpoint it’s also extremely tempting. I wear capes and cloaks through winter and the biggest issue I have is driving in them. I have to turn it into a Superman style cape before my car heats up and it’s not the most practical. Even with my ones that have arm holes it’s still kind of awkward. If I’m a passenger or walking it’s lovely. Cloaks are cones that naturally trap your body heat and reflect it back to you, and when not lined with poly liner (like a lot of modern coats are) they are extremely warm. I might have to experiment with this design come next winter. Wish I had seen it sooner!
Shad sent me. He released a video with the purpose of directing his viewers to this video. From him, I want a gambeson. From you, I will add a cloak of the last style. Between you and Shad, I am gaining much knowledge.
Legit!! I've got two now, from charity shops without know what they were. I was contemplating buying a cloak to wear outside for Winter, but it seems that basket needs emptying!!
I have one too! It was given as a gift to me once, and I wore it down without part of it thrown over my shoulder, but now I'll have to wear it that way.
Looking at my old blankets with scissors in my hand and a malicious glint in my eye! Ruana cloak it is for LARP, then! I think definitely either the blanket cloak or the Ruana cloak are what I'm looking for with both their versatility and aesthetic. I especially love the simpleness of the Ruana. It's just a rectangle with a slit and yet it looks so much more elaborate when worn! Thanks for the in-depth discussion of each kind of cloak, man, this was great!
I have bought several so-called "wraps" that I now realize are essentially thick woven/knit Ruana cloaks to wear IRL. They are amazingly warm and the perfect way to disguise that you're essentially bringing a big blanket with you to snuggle under when it's cold.
As a weaver, ruanas are a very good 'second' project because they are basically just two very wide scarves stitched side by side down half their length. It's a good exercise in keeping a consistent wefts per inch down a long piece of cloth. I still have a couple of them that I wove decades ago and they are my perfect fall and spring outer layers. One suggestion for everyone - do reinforce the top of the slit to prevent it tearing deeper into either the cloth or seam (if you make your ruana from two lengths of fabric). I used a small triangle gusset made of a square of fabric folded corner to corner in my linen and silk ruana, and embroidered a satin stitch arrowhead over the point on the wool one.
You just gave me an idea... crochet one. All I can do is squares and rectangles but if I do two rectangles then I could easily make one. Worked with a hooded scarf! (Really wide scarf sew one edge to itself in the middle to create a pocket and voila one hood)
This is the first video I have seen of yours and as a historical seamstress, I want to say, Well done! The Bocksten cloak that you showed is not particularly difficult to make if you have some basic geometry under your belt. The diagram did look intimidating, but that is probably because the extant garment was made before modern looms, and therefore the fabric was only a maximum of about 30" wide and therefore had to be pieced together. Today, with 60" wide fabric (wool or fleece, etc.) all you need is a string, a safety pin, and a piece of chalk (or whatever you use to mark your cutting lines). You need fabric that is twice as long as you want your cloak to be, plus about 19-12". Your string needs to be the length of your cloak plus 3" for a neckline plus 0-2" for your hem and tied to a piece of chalk, or a disappearing ink marker or what have you. A good melton wool, for example, doesn't need a hem, but a more loosely woven wool will need to be turned up once and stitched down so it doesn't fray. Fold your fabric in half, then take take two adjacent edges and fold them together so you have a sort of triangle. You can do this once or twice more if your fabric isn't very thick. Safety pin the end of your string (without the chalk) to the tip of the point, and stretch it down along the side and sweep the chalk around so you draw out a curve from one long edge to the other. This is your cutting line for your hem. Shorten your string to about 4.5" and do it again. This is where you cut out your neckline. Hem if needed, and voila! You have a half-circle cloak. For a full circle cloak, make two of these with a neckline of only 3" and then seam them together along one edge.
I'd also like to point out that Gandalf's cloak looks like linen or hemp cloth as it is much more drapey than a wool. You can see light through the fabric in one of your shots. See 22:05. Looking for a great linen? Try Burnley and Trowbridge!
@@MizzMaree7 You can also go to a thrift store and get a flat bedsheet for a few bucks. It might be hard to find one in a solid color, but it's a great way to get a bunch of fabric for a few bucks.
I have owned a simple ruana cloak, in a medium weight gray wool, since 1990. It has proven to not only be incredibly useful as a costume cloak, it looks very classy and elegant in real life. Equally at home at a day at a Renaissance faire, a night out on the town, or a on the way to a board meeting. Extremely versatile!!!
Greetings sir. I just got sent here from Shadiversitys' recent video where he gave you a shoutout and enthusiastic recommendation and I have to say Shad was spot on. I'll be watching your career with great interest 😁
Great video but one addition to about ruana cloaks and hoods,you can actually just fold the ruana cloak in a way where it comes up as a hood. I have a perfectly normal ruana cloak myself and I noticed that if I just pull it up from the back where the split is and then throw one of the ''arms'' over my shoulder the whole thing just becomes a hooded cloak.
Personally, Fandabi Dozi's channel has already sold me on the great kilt, which is basically a blanket cloak on steroids with clever methods of folding to keep it out of the way. But still, Gandalf, big selling point for the Ruana.
The Irish Wrap/Ruana cloak style is absolutely perfect for one of my fantasy novel's main characters. Thank you for making this video, it helped me alot in designing the clothing of my novel and everyhting else. Have a sub!
Shadiversity sent us insta-sub. This video answered questions that I have had for a very long time about cloaks. I recently purchased a very nice mantle cloak. This purchase caused me to think on how I could improve it only to find that Shad recommended this video solving that very conundrum for me. Your content is amazing! Go forward boldly adventurer!
@@LivingAnachronism I'm woefully late in discovering your channel (I'm a new sub) so now I'm binge watching your older videos. . . You have an awesome channel! I want to add -- the armhole cloaks are terrible in windy conditions! They can essentially funnel the wind (and snow or rain or sleet) directly onto my body. I got a nice cloak at a LARP barter that had arm holes, so I learned this first hand. I ended up sewing them closed, and the improvement in warmth was amazing. Also the exact problem (7:48) of being strangled (whether by a foe or by a thorny branch, lol) is a definite drawback to that style, which I've seen happen to friends IRL. However, I found the crossed-front, tied-in-back cloak excellent (it might be more comfortable for women? -- by running each strap under a breast) but that's because I'm not usually wearing a backpack. I agree about the ruana style cloak being THE most versatile; and I know I've seen illuminations in Medieval books of people wearing cloaks like this, I wish I could remember exactly where. And like you, I wear mine in my 21st century life as well. It's incredibly convenient and warm and versatile (especially because winters in Minnesota can hit minus-40 sometimes!) Just like mittens can be warmer than gloves, cloaks can be warmer than coats.
In my research on textiles for capes, wool is almost always the outer layer, with silk being the second most used. Plant based fabrics absorb water by their nature and would get super heavy. Linen, cotton and their derivatives rayon, viscose are best used as linings.
Silk is also great because it's breathable and very lightweight and if treated or blended with other materials, is moisture wicking. Makes a decent if pricey base layer material, a good option for warmer weather.
Depends on your environment in a cold weather country I would definitely go for wool, here in Australia I'm about to make some of these from cotton canvas and ill spray the exterior side with a water repellent spray. Should be light enough for our hot dry weather but provide good protection from the sun and dust with some rain protection.
@@redstarling5171 I love my Aussie Outback coat - cotton canvas treated to be water resistant. Wool already has oil (lanolin) naturally to provide the water resistance.
Hi Living Anachronism Shad from Shadiversity says hello. In his latest video, "Best Cloaks for a medieval adventurer", was more like a 10 minute praise fest on how good you are as a content creator. He says you are both professional and passionate about your subjects and that we should really give you a shot. Here it is man. Let us see how far you go.
9:40 that's fairly common among hikers and service members (both in case of rainproof ponchos and thick, full sized cloaks. The funny thing is - the ones used by ex-pact armies usually do have buttoned holes for arms (with overfolds that seal the whole thing preventing rain and wind from leaking inside), it's just faster and more comfortable (also better for keeping your arms warm) to sling the whole thing over your shoulders without taking the backpack off.
I wore my full cloak when I traveled, particularly through the airport, and I also did this all the time. It 'looks stupid', but it worked... and my legs were warm.
Putting your clock over your back pack also provides better ventilation. As a Canadian, I have to say that sweaty backs from a back pack are a thing even in -30 Celsius.
I think that it would make alot of sense to use a moderate weight Ruana Cloak and also carry a blanket, if it is very cold you could wear the Ruana like a tunic as you showed while also wearing the blanket ontop and when it comes to sleeping roll the Ruana up into a pillow or use it purely for ground cover while you use the blanket as normal pair it with a separate hood that comes down to mid chest and I would imagine that it would offer a huge amount of versatility without really adding any more weight or bulk than what you would have to be carrying anyway
If all the pieces are seperate, I could imagine using the ruana as ground cover, the blanket as the bedroll and then stuffing the hood with spare clothes or soft material for your pillow. I haven't used the Ruana as ground cover yet since I haven't slept out in the open with it
@@LivingAnachronism The nice thing about a standard ruana, particularly a lighter wool one, is how universal they are. They're easily foldable and wearable in a variety of styles/weather conditions, can be strung up as a windbreak or lean to with ease, used as a pillow, blanket, ground cover, head cover, used as a sack, for smoke signals, tied to a pack easily... Several other things as well. Add in the free range of arm movement and ease of access to weapons, they just seem all around ideal to soldiery on the march and such, as well as adventures.
I am Blessed With only Marrying Seamstresses..My Yondering Rig is a Green Silk and Chasmere Burnose ie Poncho with a Hood.and A half circle Mantle with Hood.This covers about90% of it Outdoors.Thats what I Sleep under or on top of have a Deer hide to sit/ Lie on .Will Try to Get Pics to Share.
Another answer to this question is the Scottish Great Kilt. Fandabi Dozi has some great videos on it-with one garment, you get the following configurations: 1. Used as a sleeping bag or other shelter. 2. Worn down around the hips with pockets-in this configuration you can easily wear a pack and you get extra storage from the pockets. You can also wear this with some fabric over the shoulder to reduce weight on the hips. 3. You can flip the tail over your head to get quick rain coverage when you need it. 4. If you undo the pockets, tie the tails together, and put this over configuration 3, you get a rain poncho with sleeves. I’ve used this on hikes and, while fairly heavy, it does a very good job of being out of the way and cool while down and very cozy and insulative while flipped up around like a coat.
Perfect timing! A cloak and pair of gloves were going to be my next purchases for my larp as the colder months are coming. This video is really informative, clear, and wrapped up nicely. Just what I needed! Thank you for the great video!
Last winter I didn't wear my coats at all, I went with blanket cloaks instead: a tartan throw, a Swiss army blanket, and a patu/patoo from Pakistan. But what you've shown here . . . There's an eye opener and no mistake!
When I purchased my mantle cloak, it had long ties and I was told to cross the ties across my chest going below the opposite shoulder or directly around and behind the adjacent shoulder and to be tied behind my back. To add a more comfortable and secure option without choking potential, of course with other issues you've established.
Yes, yes, YES for the Ruana cloak! I have five of them, in different colors (three with lovely, muted rustic designs) and the beauty of it was that I got the aforementioned three, ridiculously cheap on sale, at World Market, of all places! And yes, the most wonderful thing about these cloaks is their versatility...and the fact that you can wear them in all - even thoroughly "modern" - settings, and with all types of clothing. This is the first time I've seen someone give them their just due as a medieval/ LARP/ fantasy staple. ♥
The blanket slit cloak is a fantastic idea, and I'll be making one. Thank you! I do recommend reinforcing the seams with stitching, and a rondel of wool at the end, to prevent tear out and splitting
I can see why the ruana is your favourite. I didn't even know about this style of cloak! I think as far as an attached hood, I would simply add buttons on the back of the collar so that if I want to modular add a hood, I can, but not in a way that would close around the neck to avoid the pitfalls you mentioned earlier in your video. I'm going to try to make one for my next LARP, I bet a woollen one is a solid easy piece to make. Having worn the stark cloak, mantle during combat larp scenarios I can definitely say that while they offer great protection from the rain, they are absolute **pain** to fight in, and the average person, whether you are participating in anachronism or a fantasy larp, is really brawling with sticks unless properly trained. Even in these scenarios, a flowy cloak is cumbersome. They catch on branches and trees, bushes, catch burrs, and yes, definitely choke you. I've definitely accidentally choked on my own clasped mantle cloak. Thank you for making this wonderful video!
I'll have to get my hands on a great kilt at some point to do some tests, it's been recommended too many times to ignore at this point haha! Though I have used this cloak as a blanket in conjunction with other pieces while camping before.
And because it releases quickly, you can use it as an offhand “weapon” if you don’t have a dagger. Rapier and cape or cloak is probably the second most popular “dual wielding” method after rapier and dagger.
@@mauschen2637 I should have been less or more specific, either more vague with “weapon and dagger and weapon and cloak” or more specific “in European fighting styles”
With the Brocksten cloak and how to cut it, I would have thought the circular bit is the easiest part. Weight down the edges, drive a pin through the centre (can find by folding the square fabric in half each way), then use a string around the pin with a piece of chalk/charcoal on the other end to draw a fairly accurate circle. Loved the video, I learned a lot about types of cloak I didn't even know existed!
first skill tree arrived at this design (he didn't call it a ruana cloak" but i won't fault him for that) and i saw that video and was stoked on the versatility, then you demonstrated all the methods [tunic mode made me weewee warm] here and i'm sold. i have made a simple canvas {what you called a separate hood} "Archer's Cowl" that i will wax as it covers the shoulders well, and i will also treat a folded shoulder hugging cape i've made and those will provide water impermeability over the (potentially two, one linen one wool) ruana cloak setup i'll wear over base layers. maximum glory!! a million thank yous!!
Wear mine everyday, and now that its cold i have made another from a double layer blanket and wear it as an over-tunic after the first is hooded and pinned with a copper penannular broach i forged myself. I also put a 4’x4’ muslin in a triangle over my head to act as a lighter hood. Much appreciation 🙏🙏
This is such a great video!! I love how passionately you advocate all the advantages of the ruana cloak. You're right, the drapage is absolutely on point.
Honestly, I was quite surprised when you showed the Ruana Cloak in your summary. I actually bought some of those years ago as "ponchos", though I myself like to refer to them as "fashionably accepted fluffy blankets". I prefered them over jackets during spring and autumn. Securing it with a waistband or belt caught more weird looks and attention than I could handle that time, wearing something else than the usual boring jacket made me stand out enough already. But so damn comfy, and between lessons I simply folded it to be the perfect pillow. Or use it as blanket. Or both... I was still going to school back then and could simply wear my backpack on top and even use it to secure it to my torso. I am also someone to get too warm very quickly, which wasn't an issue since then I'd just pull the front pieces crossing my chest out from under my backpack straps (that got me two flat layers of cloak covering my entire chest to half my upper legs) and stuffed them under their own sides' strap or threw them back over my shoulders or, if I wanted my arms covered, stuffed them in the narrow space between my back and backpack. Fashionably accepted blankets aka. Ruana cloaks and backpacks are friends. Thanks for informing me they are Medieval and Fantasy approved aswell. Much apprechiated ♥
The Bocksten Cloak is more specific than a side closing cloak, It's button closing (not clasp) and tailored to drape over the neck and shoulder in a more comfortable way than a plain untailored cloak would. Knyght Errant has a video on his reproduction of the Bocksten Cloak, talking about its design. Also (as you suspected) arm holes in cloaks aren't purely a women's cloak thing. I've seen images of real medieval art on Shadiversity's channel showing men with arm holes in their cloak. I can't say which vid, I just know I've seen it.
@@LivingAnachronism a friend of mine has a cloak with armholes. Its very practical imo. At least for regular use rather than adventuring. Though I do quite like that Ruana cloak. Might have to get one.
@@Gstrowes Thanks for including that name. I wondered why I didn't see any combo mantle sleeve versions here. The addition of the second mantle means you could work and have most of your arms covered or wear a backpack, but can also use it just like a regular mantle cloak for quick throw it on times.
I like how you demonstrated in the wind that having it separate has its benefits and that it can turn into an additional garment when it's folded over and buckled down with another cloak over that's smart man.
Its worth mentioning that the military orders such as the Hospitallar and Templar wore their mantles as essentially part of their uniform. Historically they kept did a lot of work travelling around making sure the roads were safe for pilgrims etc. They'd always have been almost always mounted though.
Found you through Shadiversity. Love your channel and have subscribed. Keep the videos and content coming. It’s very useful in my own adventures into costuming and props.
Thanks for this review of the different styles of cloaks and the subjective pros and cons of each style reviewed. Ive wanted to make myself a cloak (Im a big-boned Texas girl) for more than 10 yrs and couldnt decide on a style. This made my mind up for me. Im going with the ruana style but in the design of Gandalfs with longer arms and I will probably add a hood. Im not any sort of re-enactor or a Rennie person, I just want a warm cloak instead of a restrictive coat. Thanks again!
Talking about cloaks in combat, there's always the option of using your cloak and your off hand, there are a lot of techniques where you wrap a cloak around your arm in a fight
Shad recommended you and I am pleased with this video. Good to see more historical enthusiast content creators talking about cloaks. Another recent one I saw was from Fandabi Dozi on The Great Kilt. Keeping in touch between yourselves as content creators and recommending each other is a great thing to spread the word about more topics.
NOT sent here by Shad (I'll watch his video next). Love the idea of the Ruana cloak, it's the best design I've seen for a traveller's cloak. Thanks for taking the time to put this all together for us! Well done!!!
All encompassing cloaks can better keep out the weather, and in combat they reportedly hide the movements of the wearer, including footwork. This would also be better for quickly taking off to use as a tool in a swordfight.
Wow this design is awesome and i could see it working in a post-apocalyptic fantasy setting as well since you can make it out of virtually any fabric. Thanks for the great info!
I've owned, worn, and loved variants of what you're calling the Ruana cloak for a quarter of a century, though I never really considered them "cloaks". My term for them was always "mantel". And you've shown me several uses I'd never considered! I commented on an earlier vid that my go-to, cloakwise, has long been the full-circle, which would probably be closest to your Bocksten, although I've always worn it front-facing, with attached hood, and I built mine out of an enormous canvas-velvet theater curtain, so the geometry was a lot simpler. With your recommendations, I think I'll have to reconsider that. I notice you avoided great kilts, which, if you've never worn, I highly recommend, for both warmth and versatility, as well as all-around practicality. A traditional great kilt is a cloak, a tunic, a blanket, a tent, a towel, a shoulder-bag, and on particularly well-oiled evenings, a true companion when all others have abandoned you to the night.
I got a woolen half-circle cloak from Chrononaut Mercantile a few years ago... It was my daily "coat" during spring & fall, as well as helping against wind & snow in winter. served as a pillow as well as a heavy blanket. Not using it for a while now though (still working from home) .
I’m one of the rare ones that had this on my recommendations and found the Shad video after. Long time fan of Shad and he’s absolutely right about the quality of this channel. You have earned my sub sir.
Thank you for your tutorial, I will put this into practice. I have until just late discovered your channel, and find it quite entertaining and educational. I believe you to be a talented young man and wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Cool rundown of all these styles of cloaks! I (female) made a contemporary cloak when I was in college and wore it for several years running. It was ankle length with a 4 inch center overlap and arm slits. I loved it but I wasn't running through the woods in it or trying to cart around a backpack, either.
Accidentally stumbled on this channel while looking for scrapbooking supplies. Now I’m subbed and have to get myself a Ruana. Thanks Mr. Anachronism! 😻
your videos (which i have been binge watching since finding your channel a few days ago) actually inspired me to make my own clothes!! i started watching bcs i couldn't decide what to buy, but now i've invested tons of hours into research for fabric and cut styles, and it's much less expensive!!
Cloaks also serve as makeshift armor by wrapping it around your arm. I can also see some cloaks providing some protection against cuts when worn normally
Thank you very much for this great video and the information on the Ruana cloak! I made a woolen Ruana cloak based on the measurements given in the other video (ca. 160x120cm, 85cm slit, blanket stitched at the etches). My conclusion after two full days of usage: I will never again go out the house without it. It is amazingly versatile and super comfy. The suggestion to cross it in front and wear it like a tunic in your belt with another mantle on top works great! I spent a day on a medieval festival with very cold wind and wore it like that, with a gugel on top. It was very cosy, but didn't restrict my movement at all (the cloak on top did though). The idea in this video of combining the two cloaks also helps better against cold wind which I always found difficult to deal with so far cause it blows through the wool quite easily. I spent a different day teaching archery with it and found out another very versatile option: You can also wear it as is, and only put one side of the ruana cloak in your belt (the bowhand side). Like that, it won't restrict you while shooting since the flappy part, that would normally touch the bowstring and would be a hindrance, is held back by the belt. Also, no problems with backquiver at all.
Your videos are pretty great. I've been biking across the balkans for over a month and your videos and advice have helped me a lot with DIYing my gear. I think you're the only guy i've found who's takes this practical and functional approach and takes the concept of 'adventuring' seriously.
The ruana was the first cloak I ever owned, and I still have mine and use it often! If you don’t want to add a hood, you can take one or both of the front tails and wrap it around your head, like a large scarf, to form a pseudo-hood as well. ALSO! I believe Aragorn’s first cloak in the Fellowship of the Ring film (before he receives his elven cloak in Lothlorien) is a similar version of a (hooded) ruana to Gandalf’s.
Great video, very informative. I would have liked to hear a bit about materials / fabrics that are ideal for cloaks (for looks and/or functionality). Otherwise, superb!
I just finished making my own Ruana Cloak! I love it! I bought a sheet of felted wool at a nearby fabric store and used that, it's so soft. Thank you very much for the inspiration!
A double layered cloak would solve many problems. Take a long cloak with slots for arms, then layer a short cloak that is arm length over the top. Your front is fully covered and your arms get full protection, and full movement.
The youtube algorithm blessed me with this and I came to realize I actually have what is basically a (modernized) Ruana cloak in my possession. I'll definitely be checking out more of your vids.
There were indeed medieval adventurers - they would travel great distances living off the land, sleeping where they could and generally living a life of drinking, fighting, gambling etc... Today we would call them mercenaries... While some were seen very much as killers for hire (murder hobos) others became famous, rich and some died with honour, fame , respect, titles and property at quite a decent age. They were basically land pirates! They even existed in large numbers at times... They went by many names, Bascot, Routier, Freelance, Brigand, Freebooter etc... Some are well known to History, from John Hawkwood, El Cid and so on...
I jumped up when you mentioned the Ruana cloak, I have one that I bought in Ireland (of all places!), in wool with celtic knot decorations running along the edges, only the straight cornes have been rounded off. I think it is smaller than yours though. We've always called it a poncho, but the slit indeed means that's not what it is. I've been wearing it as daily wear for a few years now. It's great for autumn, something quick to wrap around me when picking my kid up from school. My cosplay/LARP cloak is a mantle 😊. I have worn it with my back quiver over it, which does help keeping one side of the body more free to move. I noticed the words on the pattern for the bocksten cloak. I immediately saw that I was my own Dutch language. 😄
Thanks to this video, I just took a blanket (100% cotton, looser weave, got it for free) and cut a 48" x 70" section out of it to make a ruana. I used the remainder to make leg wraps. Add that to a pair of linen trousers I already had, and a peasant top I found in a sale for £9 (about $11.50), plus some simple Mary-Jane shoes which blend in really well, and I have a really cheap but cool-looking outfit for a medieval fair I'm off to. I'm already planning on making a bunch of these now that I've got the idea. I really want to make a 100% wool one in a simple grey much like yours. I also want to make a nice tartan wool one with a hole cut for the neck to give it a bit more style and give it as a gift to my mum. I also (also) want to make another 100% wool one for my husband in a really nice dark navy or black watch tartan. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
I love the Ruana cloak. I have a small dressy one and some others, but I didn't know what they were called. Now I want to make a Gandalf-sized one, because I'm old and cold and just hang out in my jammies at the computer. Love your channel! Subscribed yesterday when I saw the one on swords.
@@ajrobbins368 I need to get a few more, I think the last one I got is Erak's Ransom, and most of the ones I read are on my parents' kindle account, which I'm coming up on losing access to. Unless there's a way of transferring those over...
@@Great_Olaf5 I bought paperback copies to save money and to easily share them with friends & family. Used can be an even more affordable option. When I can, I prefer to buy used hardcover books (in good condition) because they survive better, and cost similar to new paperback copies.
@@ajrobbins368 Yeah, but I expect to be moving around a lot in the next few years after college, so digital copies are far more practical, the less I have to lug around from one home to the next, the better.
I bought a cloak in the 8th grade, a heavy woolen cloak of boiled Austrian wool. Since I haven't gotten much taller, it still fits. Front fastening. Deep interior pockets. Deep hood. Well cut so it stays on the shoulders when not buttoned (it also has a tie at the neck.) It is not gathered, but has a shoulder seam. I can tell you it is an awesome garment, great for keeping warm, for keeping off the rain and snow, and in pinch, great for sleeping (you sort of wrap it sideways, as it isn't long enough otherwise). I wore it to high school, including on the ferry, all winter. I wore it through New England winters, and now I live in the South, but it still comes out a few times every winter. It was and is a marvelous garment.
I made several of these ruana cloaks for the family after watching this video. We're going to be going on an adventure in full garb this winter here in Florida. Thank you for these videos and inspiring us to have some adventures in life!
Wonderful Channel - I discovered your channel when I searched for the "best medieval cloak for a ranger". After enjoying the video, I subscribed and then binge watched for hours. I greatly appreciate your knowledge, your approach, speaking and demonstration abilities. Thank you.
So I have a cloak that I bought from a Renn Fair, so not sure about it's historical accuracy, but it's basically your standard tie at the neck style cloak and a Ruana cloak combined. It has the cut down the middle like a Ruana cloak, but it also has a button and strap at the neck, a hood extending from the middle, and it came with a belt and so it's designed to be folded in front very much like how you do at 18:45. It basically feels like something in between a medieval cloak and a Japanese Kimono. I love it, and wear it whenever I get the chance. I'll have to try the Ruana style you mentioned, but the one I have just feels so perfect. Although now I'm wondering if it might be a modern design.
Wow! Thanks for this video! Upon viewing this, I went out and bought a long enough blanket and made myself a Ruana cloak, and it's so nice! I want to make some slightly smaller ones later out of wool and linen for realism! Also I'd like to try my luck with blanket cloaks as well.
My uncle showed me your channel and just from watching two minutes with him I was hooked, you are highly knowledgeable about medieval dress and thus impressed me. I have subscribed to your channel and I will also recommend you to anyone else who is into renaissance festivals.
this is actually really good reference for writing! You bring up some points I have never thought about! Great video! Also love how you showed picture references!
Liked & Subbed!!! Well Done!!! I still prefer the mantel Cloak with a very small piece of velcro just on the edge of each side of my cloak so if I pull it back opver my shoulders I can attach the two sides together and it stays. Also, the cloak was not only a rain covering but a blanket/sleeping bag for many when travelling. I wear my pack over my cloak with a canvas oilcloth cover for the pack to hinder the water. This level of technology still keeps it properly within the framework of the "medieval" period I am looking to maintain. And Yes, The Hobbit & The Lord Of The Rings ALWAYS Gets A Pass,....On EVERYTHING!!! Magic, Clothing, Weapons, Skills, Races, Landscapes, EVERYTHING!!!
Years ago I had a magnificent black wool mantle cloak, and generally I'd do the over-the-shoulder for the side flaps. Never had an issue with the collar clasp. I loved that cloak, somehow lost in a major cross country move. It was warm in the winter, and actually cool in the summer. And the wool was heavy enough that even very strong stiff breezes only made it for out, very Vader-like...
Like you, I highly value versatility. I've thougt about a cloak but felt like it would just be an extra load once non-horrible weather made it superfluous. So I've been pondering for weeks on how to combine a woolen bedroll that can double as a cloak in cold (dry) weather. I think the Gandalf-dimensioned Ruana cloak is the one, especially if holes and tie strings are added so it can be threaded shut. But with so many square feet per the three slits, one could probably just tuck the slits under oneself to minimize cold drafts. Glad I rewatched this video. Nice work.
Just WOW, thank you for helping me decide on a cloak. I have been considering adding one to my fun garb and couldn't decide on which style I really wanted. Between you and what I saw on Skill Tree, the blanket cloak is my clear winner. Thank you thank you for helping me decide
5:26 The easiest way to do this is to 1) find and mark the center by folding in half both ways 2) stake/weigh the corners down so it's flat 3) grab a string and tie a stick/pencil/etc on one end and a marker/chalk/ etc on the other to make a large compass (doing this outdoors means you can stake right through your center mark into the ground since you'll cut it out later anyway, otherwise enlist a friend) 4) draw your circle by keeping the string tight as you walk around the circumference.
This was just what i needed. I've had a lot of function issues with my mantel cloak (even though i love it). And the fact that that the Ruana cloak is so easy to make is a huge plus. I will definitely try.
"NOOOO YOU CAN'T JUST MAKE THE BEST CLOAK BY CUTTING A SLIT IN A RECTANGLE"
"haha scissors go snip"
About 50 years ago I cut a slit in an Army Blanket and put my head through it. If I needed to, I would wrap a belt around it. It kept me warm on cold nights. Simple, and I'm almost old enough to make it historically accurate..... so it goes...
@@Samtzu Almost old enough! :)
@@Samtzu As he was pulling out those mossy-colored wool rectangles, I too thought of the old blankets we had in the barracks. I also thought about the poncho with regard to the shapes, although not exactly, of course
@@MarcillaSmith I have had a poncho liner for the last forty years, and use it as a light blanket.... which is basically all it is. When was in SE Asia I wore a REAL poncho a lot of the time.... I want to get another one. They were just the correct weight and thickness....
Here in Colombia, the Ruana is a cloak from pre-Colombian times that is still used (made of oiled alpaca wool to repel rain) and it is literally a slit in a rectangle. It works, better than a raincoat because you can put it over top of your backpack, puppy, dozen eggs, lace doilies, whatever it is you're carrying.
Another important purpose of a cloak that is often overlooked is to keep the wearer safe from biting insects. When you lived before insect repellent, biting insects were a constant nuisance that could spread disease, and could often bite through a few layers of linen or wool. So a baggier outer layer where the cloth isn't resting directly on the skin helped immensely.
I wear a classic cloak almost regularly, and live in a lagoon. I can confirm I had experienced all the pro and cons listed here, using it on a daily basis along with my tunic and cloak. I'll probably try the Gandalf tunic, tryin' up a small and large version, possibly with a clasp.
My cloak's a ¾, but I've a full-wheel one that's incredibly heavy and encumbering, but damn warm. I'll need to experiment a bit.
Re: not believing someone in the medieval would not think of the style, Gandalf's cloak is based on a real Roman cloak called the paenula. I have a wool one, it's amazing.
Thank you for the info!
Sadly the Paenula doesn’t come up on google shopping search but sagum does.
@@dannietuggle8954 I found it easily with patterns as well. But it doesn't look like the Ruana. It does, however, look Roman.
@@dannietuggle8954 There are some paenula cloaks for sale under the name of "oval cloak"
@@dannietuggle8954 they're on kult of athena website
Having done a lot of hiking, I can say that one feature of a cloak I want is that it can fit over the back pack, protecting it from the elements. Sure it makes you look like a hunchback, but keeping the stuff in your pack dry is super important.
maybe the hunchback of Notre dam really had a pack under his cloak?
I was hoping someone would mention this: "Looking stupid" and "my backpack is super cool" doesn't negate that the cloak has the functionality that you are looking for. I wore the first cloak I ever made, a standard front opening one, for over a decade (until someone else lost it). It was my favorite piece for travel; both car and air. I am looking for a cloak that will help me thermo-regulate in the variety of temperatures I will encounter. When it's cold, I wrap up as tight as possible. When it's warm I throw it over my shoulders (I had nice tailored shoulder seams, so it rarely slid back on my neck when I did this). A cloak that doesn't cover my legs, is mostly just a fashion piece. I've done backpacks both under and over the cloak and it has always been fine. You get strange looks, but you'll get strange looks in any cloak.
If you have a tailored cloak you can flip it over your backpack (for rain protection) or flip it over my shoulders (for tasks/swordplay)
All it takes is a tailored hood that's double layered to put the weight in the shoulders rather than on the clasp/tie point
Maybe Australians have figured it out better, since we use them alot over here
@@craftalchemy8621 idk for me I prefer a cloak that doesnt cover the legs because I bike a lot and so anything longer than just over my hips will just be in the way and a general neusance while not protecting my legs from the rain anyway. but a shorter cloak does help surprisingly well while still keeping my mobility. I have mutliple tiyes and lengths of cloaks though
"Lord of the Rings always gets a pass." -Living Anachronism
Easily best quote of the year. You NEED to put that on a shirt.
Looking at the cover of the first movie of the trilogy, I am pretty sure that frodo was wearing a ruana clock but of a slightly different style
@@dxmxrxsbxxckthxwxxdxlf3931 In fact, I think even the Nazgul wear cloaks similar to the ruana, but with hoods incorporated.
Add the slogan "You shall not pass!" with the word 'not' crossed out.
I agree with this comment! Lord of the Rings always gets a pass.....except if it's Rings of Power. We don't talk about RoP....
11:20 · The section leading up to the quote begins here, discussing LotR Eleven Cloaks, and ends with the quote at the timestamp below.
Definitely a section worthy of release as a Short. Perhaps with the Short beginning earlier than the timestamp above.
11:50 · Quote
As a human who has made and worn a lot of cloaks and capes…I gotta say I’m pretty impressed with your proposal. Purely from a construction stand point the lack of curved edges make my sewist heart soar. But from a practicality standpoint it’s also extremely tempting. I wear capes and cloaks through winter and the biggest issue I have is driving in them. I have to turn it into a Superman style cape before my car heats up and it’s not the most practical. Even with my ones that have arm holes it’s still kind of awkward. If I’m a passenger or walking it’s lovely. Cloaks are cones that naturally trap your body heat and reflect it back to you, and when not lined with poly liner (like a lot of modern coats are) they are extremely warm. I might have to experiment with this design come next winter. Wish I had seen it sooner!
Agreed; the seat belt turns the cloak into a straight-jacket almost.
Shad sent me. He released a video with the purpose of directing his viewers to this video. From him, I want a gambeson. From you, I will add a cloak of the last style. Between you and Shad, I am gaining much knowledge.
Thank you and welcome! Our grand army is starting to form a uniform. Gambesons and Ruana Wrap Cloaks. Nothing can stop us.
I am here due to Shad as well.
Glad shad sent me great video
I'm here from shad also I'm glad to see more people joining the community
Shad says "Hi" back!
That moment when you realize the weird coat thing you bought years ago is actually a ruana cloak. Yes it's been a favorite since I set eyes on it.
Legit!! I've got two now, from charity shops without know what they were. I was contemplating buying a cloak to wear outside for Winter, but it seems that basket needs emptying!!
I have one too! It was given as a gift to me once, and I wore it down without part of it thrown over my shoulder, but now I'll have to wear it that way.
I've a sweater in the Ruana style.vlike you I just realized it lol. Advantage is, it also has 2 pockets on the sleeves
Looking at my old blankets with scissors in my hand and a malicious glint in my eye! Ruana cloak it is for LARP, then! I think definitely either the blanket cloak or the Ruana cloak are what I'm looking for with both their versatility and aesthetic. I especially love the simpleness of the Ruana. It's just a rectangle with a slit and yet it looks so much more elaborate when worn! Thanks for the in-depth discussion of each kind of cloak, man, this was great!
Glad you enjoyed!
Poncho gang!
I have bought several so-called "wraps" that I now realize are essentially thick woven/knit Ruana cloaks to wear IRL. They are amazingly warm and the perfect way to disguise that you're essentially bringing a big blanket with you to snuggle under when it's cold.
Rock a brooch sized to the weight of Your Fabric.To keep things settle3 when You Move.Your Set.
As a weaver, ruanas are a very good 'second' project because they are basically just two very wide scarves stitched side by side down half their length. It's a good exercise in keeping a consistent wefts per inch down a long piece of cloth. I still have a couple of them that I wove decades ago and they are my perfect fall and spring outer layers. One suggestion for everyone - do reinforce the top of the slit to prevent it tearing deeper into either the cloth or seam (if you make your ruana from two lengths of fabric). I used a small triangle gusset made of a square of fabric folded corner to corner in my linen and silk ruana, and embroidered a satin stitch arrowhead over the point on the wool one.
You just gave me an idea... crochet one. All I can do is squares and rectangles but if I do two rectangles then I could easily make one. Worked with a hooded scarf! (Really wide scarf sew one edge to itself in the middle to create a pocket and voila one hood)
This is the first video I have seen of yours and as a historical seamstress, I want to say, Well done! The Bocksten cloak that you showed is not particularly difficult to make if you have some basic geometry under your belt. The diagram did look intimidating, but that is probably because the extant garment was made before modern looms, and therefore the fabric was only a maximum of about 30" wide and therefore had to be pieced together. Today, with 60" wide fabric (wool or fleece, etc.) all you need is a string, a safety pin, and a piece of chalk (or whatever you use to mark your cutting lines). You need fabric that is twice as long as you want your cloak to be, plus about 19-12". Your string needs to be the length of your cloak plus 3" for a neckline plus 0-2" for your hem and tied to a piece of chalk, or a disappearing ink marker or what have you. A good melton wool, for example, doesn't need a hem, but a more loosely woven wool will need to be turned up once and stitched down so it doesn't fray. Fold your fabric in half, then take take two adjacent edges and fold them together so you have a sort of triangle. You can do this once or twice more if your fabric isn't very thick. Safety pin the end of your string (without the chalk) to the tip of the point, and stretch it down along the side and sweep the chalk around so you draw out a curve from one long edge to the other. This is your cutting line for your hem. Shorten your string to about 4.5" and do it again. This is where you cut out your neckline. Hem if needed, and voila! You have a half-circle cloak. For a full circle cloak, make two of these with a neckline of only 3" and then seam them together along one edge.
This is such an excellent comment, so detailed, thank you!
I'd also like to point out that Gandalf's cloak looks like linen or hemp cloth as it is much more drapey than a wool. You can see light through the fabric in one of your shots. See 22:05. Looking for a great linen? Try Burnley and Trowbridge!
I've seen plenty done on the theory "okay, the short point is here, that's about here on the long point. STRAIGHT CUT!"
similar with neckline
@@MizzMaree7 You can also go to a thrift store and get a flat bedsheet for a few bucks. It might be hard to find one in a solid color, but it's a great way to get a bunch of fabric for a few bucks.
Essentially, you make a circle skirt, add a hood and cut an opening,
I have owned a simple ruana cloak, in a medium weight gray wool, since 1990. It has proven to not only be incredibly useful as a costume cloak, it looks very classy and elegant in real life. Equally at home at a day at a Renaissance faire, a night out on the town, or a on the way to a board meeting. Extremely versatile!!!
Greetings sir. I just got sent here from Shadiversitys' recent video where he gave you a shoutout and enthusiastic recommendation and I have to say Shad was spot on. I'll be watching your career with great interest 😁
same
Same
Riders of Shadland! what news of the mark?
Same
and my ... same.
Great video but one addition to about ruana cloaks and hoods,you can actually just fold the ruana cloak in a way where it comes up as a hood. I have a perfectly normal ruana cloak myself and I noticed that if I just pull it up from the back where the split is and then throw one of the ''arms'' over my shoulder the whole thing just becomes a hooded cloak.
Personally, Fandabi Dozi's channel has already sold me on the great kilt, which is basically a blanket cloak on steroids with clever methods of folding to keep it out of the way. But still, Gandalf, big selling point for the Ruana.
I'm in the same boat as you, my friend. I'm kinda wondering how well the two would work together though.
I prefer the Great Kilt also thanks to Tom.
The Irish Wrap/Ruana cloak style is absolutely perfect for one of my fantasy novel's main characters. Thank you for making this video, it helped me alot in designing the clothing of my novel and everyhting else. Have a sub!
Shadiversity sent us insta-sub. This video answered questions that I have had for a very long time about cloaks. I recently purchased a very nice mantle cloak. This purchase caused me to think on how I could improve it only to find that Shad recommended this video solving that very conundrum for me. Your content is amazing! Go forward boldly adventurer!
Thank you, friend! Welcome!
@@LivingAnachronism I'm woefully late in discovering your channel (I'm a new sub) so now I'm binge watching your older videos. . . You have an awesome channel!
I want to add -- the armhole cloaks are terrible in windy conditions! They can essentially funnel the wind (and snow or rain or sleet) directly onto my body. I got a nice cloak at a LARP barter that had arm holes, so I learned this first hand. I ended up sewing them closed, and the improvement in warmth was amazing.
Also the exact problem (7:48) of being strangled (whether by a foe or by a thorny branch, lol) is a definite drawback to that style, which I've seen happen to friends IRL. However, I found the crossed-front, tied-in-back cloak excellent (it might be more comfortable for women? -- by running each strap under a breast) but that's because I'm not usually wearing a backpack.
I agree about the ruana style cloak being THE most versatile; and I know I've seen illuminations in Medieval books of people wearing cloaks like this, I wish I could remember exactly where. And like you, I wear mine in my 21st century life as well. It's incredibly convenient and warm and versatile (especially because winters in Minnesota can hit minus-40 sometimes!) Just like mittens can be warmer than gloves, cloaks can be warmer than coats.
In my research on textiles for capes, wool is almost always the outer layer, with silk being the second most used. Plant based fabrics absorb water by their nature and would get super heavy. Linen, cotton and their derivatives rayon, viscose are best used as linings.
Silk is also great because it's breathable and very lightweight and if treated or blended with other materials, is moisture wicking. Makes a decent if pricey base layer material, a good option for warmer weather.
Depends on your environment in a cold weather country I would definitely go for wool, here in Australia I'm about to make some of these from cotton canvas and ill spray the exterior side with a water repellent spray. Should be light enough for our hot dry weather but provide good protection from the sun and dust with some rain protection.
@@redstarling5171 I love my Aussie Outback coat - cotton canvas treated to be water resistant. Wool already has oil (lanolin) naturally to provide the water resistance.
Hi Living Anachronism Shad from Shadiversity says hello. In his latest video, "Best Cloaks for a medieval adventurer", was more like a 10 minute praise fest on how good you are as a content creator. He says you are both professional and passionate about your subjects and that we should really give you a shot. Here it is man. Let us see how far you go.
I sit as a witness, Shad did such a thing as Fanboy your work.
9:40 that's fairly common among hikers and service members (both in case of rainproof ponchos and thick, full sized cloaks.
The funny thing is - the ones used by ex-pact armies usually do have buttoned holes for arms (with overfolds that seal the whole thing preventing rain and wind from leaking inside), it's just faster and more comfortable (also better for keeping your arms warm) to sling the whole thing over your shoulders without taking the backpack off.
I wore my full cloak when I traveled, particularly through the airport, and I also did this all the time. It 'looks stupid', but it worked... and my legs were warm.
I was thinking about the East German ponchos specifically when the armhole/slit issue was brought up.
Putting your clock over your back pack also provides better ventilation. As a Canadian, I have to say that sweaty backs from a back pack are a thing even in -30 Celsius.
I think that it would make alot of sense to use a moderate weight Ruana Cloak and also carry a blanket, if it is very cold you could wear the Ruana like a tunic as you showed while also wearing the blanket ontop
and when it comes to sleeping roll the Ruana up into a pillow or use it purely for ground cover while you use the blanket as normal
pair it with a separate hood that comes down to mid chest and I would imagine that it would offer a huge amount of versatility without really adding any more weight or bulk than what you would have to be carrying anyway
If all the pieces are seperate, I could imagine using the ruana as ground cover, the blanket as the bedroll and then stuffing the hood with spare clothes or soft material for your pillow. I haven't used the Ruana as ground cover yet since I haven't slept out in the open with it
@@LivingAnachronism The nice thing about a standard ruana, particularly a lighter wool one, is how universal they are. They're easily foldable and wearable in a variety of styles/weather conditions, can be strung up as a windbreak or lean to with ease, used as a pillow, blanket, ground cover, head cover, used as a sack, for smoke signals, tied to a pack easily... Several other things as well. Add in the free range of arm movement and ease of access to weapons, they just seem all around ideal to soldiery on the march and such, as well as adventures.
I am Blessed With only Marrying Seamstresses..My Yondering Rig is a Green Silk and Chasmere Burnose ie Poncho with a Hood.and A half circle Mantle with Hood.This covers about90% of it Outdoors.Thats what I Sleep under or on top of have a Deer hide to sit/ Lie on .Will Try to Get Pics to Share.
That sounds like a good combination for bedding and warmth while travelling - and modular enough to regulate the layers as required.
Another answer to this question is the Scottish Great Kilt. Fandabi Dozi has some great videos on it-with one garment, you get the following configurations:
1. Used as a sleeping bag or other shelter.
2. Worn down around the hips with pockets-in this configuration you can easily wear a pack and you get extra storage from the pockets. You can also wear this with some fabric over the shoulder to reduce weight on the hips.
3. You can flip the tail over your head to get quick rain coverage when you need it.
4. If you undo the pockets, tie the tails together, and put this over configuration 3, you get a rain poncho with sleeves.
I’ve used this on hikes and, while fairly heavy, it does a very good job of being out of the way and cool while down and very cozy and insulative while flipped up around like a coat.
Perfect timing!
A cloak and pair of gloves were going to be my next purchases for my larp as the colder months are coming.
This video is really informative, clear, and wrapped up nicely. Just what I needed!
Thank you for the great video!
Glad it was helpful! Can't wait for the cold weather.
Last winter I didn't wear my coats at all, I went with blanket cloaks instead: a tartan throw, a Swiss army blanket, and a patu/patoo from Pakistan. But what you've shown here . . .
There's an eye opener and no mistake!
You probably don't have a harsh winter where you live.
it's amazing how many different things you can pull off with just a basic design like that. Truly the ONE cloak to rule them all
you just helped me big time, i was looking for a cloak for my medieval outfit, and the ruana cloak seems perfect in every way
When I purchased my mantle cloak, it had long ties and I was told to cross the ties across my chest going below the opposite shoulder or directly around and behind the adjacent shoulder and to be tied behind my back. To add a more comfortable and secure option without choking potential, of course with other issues you've established.
Yes, yes, YES for the Ruana cloak! I have five of them, in different colors (three with lovely, muted rustic designs) and the beauty of it was that I got the aforementioned three, ridiculously cheap on sale, at World Market, of all places! And yes, the most wonderful thing about these cloaks is their versatility...and the fact that you can wear them in all - even thoroughly "modern" - settings, and with all types of clothing.
This is the first time I've seen someone give them their just due as a medieval/ LARP/ fantasy staple. ♥
Got sent your way by Shad. Really good and well thought out video! Subscribed, and looking forward to more 👍
The blanket slit cloak is a fantastic idea, and I'll be making one. Thank you! I do recommend reinforcing the seams with stitching, and a rondel of wool at the end, to prevent tear out and splitting
"The drapage is on point" hehe
also, love the pros list for the Ruana cloak...how one line just says "Gandalf"
Honestly I could have just said Gandalf and that might have been enough haha!
@@LivingAnachronism It would have for me! lol
I can see why the ruana is your favourite. I didn't even know about this style of cloak! I think as far as an attached hood, I would simply add buttons on the back of the collar so that if I want to modular add a hood, I can, but not in a way that would close around the neck to avoid the pitfalls you mentioned earlier in your video. I'm going to try to make one for my next LARP, I bet a woollen one is a solid easy piece to make.
Having worn the stark cloak, mantle during combat larp scenarios I can definitely say that while they offer great protection from the rain, they are absolute **pain** to fight in, and the average person, whether you are participating in anachronism or a fantasy larp, is really brawling with sticks unless properly trained. Even in these scenarios, a flowy cloak is cumbersome. They catch on branches and trees, bushes, catch burrs, and yes, definitely choke you. I've definitely accidentally choked on my own clasped mantle cloak.
Thank you for making this wonderful video!
I still think in terms of versatility a wool kilt would be best bc you can use it as a blanket at night and for weather protection during the day
I'll have to get my hands on a great kilt at some point to do some tests, it's been recommended too many times to ignore at this point haha! Though I have used this cloak as a blanket in conjunction with other pieces while camping before.
Fandabidozi here on RUclips does wilderness treks in 17th - 18th century highland kit.
Great kilt ftw.
@@thewombat8039 I second the Fandabidozi channel. He really puts the Kilt to the test, and shows how to make one. Just a really long blanket really.
The great kilt is a lot of fun, very useful and versatile. It's a bit of a job to get it pleated and belted just right.
And because it releases quickly, you can use it as an offhand “weapon” if you don’t have a dagger. Rapier and cape or cloak is probably the second most popular “dual wielding” method after rapier and dagger.
in esgrima crioula you can use the pala (or poncho) with the dagger or a knife
@@mauschen2637 I should have been less or more specific, either more vague with “weapon and dagger and weapon and cloak” or more specific “in European fighting styles”
With the Brocksten cloak and how to cut it, I would have thought the circular bit is the easiest part. Weight down the edges, drive a pin through the centre (can find by folding the square fabric in half each way), then use a string around the pin with a piece of chalk/charcoal on the other end to draw a fairly accurate circle.
Loved the video, I learned a lot about types of cloak I didn't even know existed!
The circle bit is the easiest part, that is exactly how you'd mark it.
first skill tree arrived at this design (he didn't call it a ruana cloak" but i won't fault him for that) and i saw that video and was stoked on the versatility, then you demonstrated all the methods [tunic mode made me weewee warm] here and i'm sold. i have made a simple canvas {what you called a separate hood} "Archer's Cowl" that i will wax as it covers the shoulders well, and i will also treat a folded shoulder hugging cape i've made and those will provide water impermeability over the (potentially two, one linen one wool) ruana cloak setup i'll wear over base layers. maximum glory!! a million thank yous!!
Wear mine everyday, and now that its cold i have made another from a double layer blanket and wear it as an over-tunic after the first is hooded and pinned with a copper penannular broach i forged myself. I also put a 4’x4’ muslin in a triangle over my head to act as a lighter hood. Much appreciation 🙏🙏
This is such a great video!! I love how passionately you advocate all the advantages of the ruana cloak. You're right, the drapage is absolutely on point.
Honestly, I was quite surprised when you showed the Ruana Cloak in your summary. I actually bought some of those years ago as "ponchos", though I myself like to refer to them as "fashionably accepted fluffy blankets". I prefered them over jackets during spring and autumn.
Securing it with a waistband or belt caught more weird looks and attention than I could handle that time, wearing something else than the usual boring jacket made me stand out enough already. But so damn comfy, and between lessons I simply folded it to be the perfect pillow. Or use it as blanket. Or both...
I was still going to school back then and could simply wear my backpack on top and even use it to secure it to my torso. I am also someone to get too warm very quickly, which wasn't an issue since then I'd just pull the front pieces crossing my chest out from under my backpack straps (that got me two flat layers of cloak covering my entire chest to half my upper legs) and stuffed them under their own sides' strap or threw them back over my shoulders or, if I wanted my arms covered, stuffed them in the narrow space between my back and backpack.
Fashionably accepted blankets aka. Ruana cloaks and backpacks are friends. Thanks for informing me they are Medieval and Fantasy approved aswell. Much apprechiated ♥
The Bocksten Cloak is more specific than a side closing cloak, It's button closing (not clasp) and tailored to drape over the neck and shoulder in a more comfortable way than a plain untailored cloak would. Knyght Errant has a video on his reproduction of the Bocksten Cloak, talking about its design.
Also (as you suspected) arm holes in cloaks aren't purely a women's cloak thing. I've seen images of real medieval art on Shadiversity's channel showing men with arm holes in their cloak. I can't say which vid, I just know I've seen it.
Thanks Krulty, I'll add the Knight Errant video as a card, I forgot to do that. I may try making a cloak with arm holes to test that out.
@@LivingAnachronism a friend of mine has a cloak with armholes. Its very practical imo. At least for regular use rather than adventuring. Though I do quite like that Ruana cloak. Might have to get one.
Still in use in Scotland and by pipe bands around the world, The "Inverness Cape"
@@Gstrowes Thanks for including that name. I wondered why I didn't see any combo mantle sleeve versions here. The addition of the second mantle means you could work and have most of your arms covered or wear a backpack, but can also use it just like a regular mantle cloak for quick throw it on times.
People have always been practical, it makes sense that they would have them.
I like how you demonstrated in the wind that having it separate has its benefits and that it can turn into an additional garment when it's folded over and buckled down with another cloak over that's smart man.
As someone who practices HEMA, I'd be interested in finding out how each of these styles of cloaks would stack up when used as off hand weapons
I thought the same thing
Ah! My friend likes fencing with epees and cloaks.
well i mean with how easy the ruana cloak came off i imagine it would work great as you could quickly get it around your hand for various techniques
@@hmdragon1638 my thoughts exactly.
Try it!
Its worth mentioning that the military orders such as the Hospitallar and Templar wore their mantles as essentially part of their uniform. Historically they kept did a lot of work travelling around making sure the roads were safe for pilgrims etc. They'd always have been almost always mounted though.
Found you through Shadiversity. Love your channel and have subscribed. Keep the videos and content coming. It’s very useful in my own adventures into costuming and props.
I'm glad I'm able to help
Thanks for this review of the different styles of cloaks and the subjective pros and cons of each style reviewed. Ive wanted to make myself a cloak (Im a big-boned Texas girl) for more than 10 yrs and couldnt decide on a style. This made my mind up for me. Im going with the ruana style but in the design of Gandalfs with longer arms and I will probably add a hood. Im not any sort of re-enactor or a Rennie person, I just want a warm cloak instead of a restrictive coat.
Thanks again!
Talking about cloaks in combat, there's always the option of using your cloak and your off hand, there are a lot of techniques where you wrap a cloak around your arm in a fight
You mentioned Ranger’s Apprentice, and the bit about human sail, I’m sold. Following. 😂
Shad recommended you and I am pleased with this video. Good to see more historical enthusiast content creators talking about cloaks. Another recent one I saw was from Fandabi Dozi on The Great Kilt. Keeping in touch between yourselves as content creators and recommending each other is a great thing to spread the word about more topics.
NOT sent here by Shad (I'll watch his video next). Love the idea of the Ruana cloak, it's the best design I've seen for a traveller's cloak. Thanks for taking the time to put this all together for us! Well done!!!
My issue is that it doesnt have that all-encompassing look you see in a lot of artwork, but we *do* need more cloak diversity.
For real people, versatile garments are better.
Nice pfp!
All encompassing cloaks can better keep out the weather, and in combat they reportedly hide the movements of the wearer, including footwork. This would also be better for quickly taking off to use as a tool in a swordfight.
Wow this design is awesome and i could see it working in a post-apocalyptic fantasy setting as well since you can make it out of virtually any fabric. Thanks for the great info!
I've owned, worn, and loved variants of what you're calling the Ruana cloak for a quarter of a century, though I never really considered them "cloaks". My term for them was always "mantel". And you've shown me several uses I'd never considered! I commented on an earlier vid that my go-to, cloakwise, has long been the full-circle, which would probably be closest to your Bocksten, although I've always worn it front-facing, with attached hood, and I built mine out of an enormous canvas-velvet theater curtain, so the geometry was a lot simpler. With your recommendations, I think I'll have to reconsider that. I notice you avoided great kilts, which, if you've never worn, I highly recommend, for both warmth and versatility, as well as all-around practicality. A traditional great kilt is a cloak, a tunic, a blanket, a tent, a towel, a shoulder-bag, and on particularly well-oiled evenings, a true companion when all others have abandoned you to the night.
I'm just started with getting my first costume , and I'm glad the Internet brought me to your video .
You convinced me.
Thank you
I got a woolen half-circle cloak from Chrononaut Mercantile a few years ago... It was my daily "coat" during spring & fall, as well as helping against wind & snow in winter. served as a pillow as well as a heavy blanket. Not using it for a while now though (still working from home) .
I’m one of the rare ones that had this on my recommendations and found the Shad video after. Long time fan of Shad and he’s absolutely right about the quality of this channel. You have earned my sub sir.
Greetings Rare One! Thank you!
Thank you for your tutorial, I will put this into practice. I have until just late discovered your channel, and find it quite entertaining and educational. I believe you to be a talented young man and wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Thank you!
Thank God, this has good audio.
I liked the pros and cons at the end, on top of all the real life demonstrations.
Cool rundown of all these styles of cloaks! I (female) made a contemporary cloak when I was in college and wore it for several years running. It was ankle length with a 4 inch center overlap and arm slits. I loved it but I wasn't running through the woods in it or trying to cart around a backpack, either.
Accidentally stumbled on this channel while looking for scrapbooking supplies. Now I’m subbed and have to get myself a Ruana. Thanks Mr. Anachronism! 😻
I want to make a Ruana cloak now. They do look super comfy and practical, and surprisingly cool too.
definitely taking queues from this video for my fantasy book. first video and you've already gained my subscription! keep up the spectacular work!
This was actually great. These also seem like great projects for a beginner seamstress.
your videos (which i have been binge watching since finding your channel a few days ago) actually inspired me to make my own clothes!! i started watching bcs i couldn't decide what to buy, but now i've invested tons of hours into research for fabric and cut styles, and it's much less expensive!!
Cloaks also serve as makeshift armor by wrapping it around your arm. I can also see some cloaks providing some protection against cuts when worn normally
Thank you very much for this great video and the information on the Ruana cloak!
I made a woolen Ruana cloak based on the measurements given in the other video (ca. 160x120cm, 85cm slit, blanket stitched at the etches). My conclusion after two full days of usage: I will never again go out the house without it. It is amazingly versatile and super comfy.
The suggestion to cross it in front and wear it like a tunic in your belt with another mantle on top works great! I spent a day on a medieval festival with very cold wind and wore it like that, with a gugel on top. It was very cosy, but didn't restrict my movement at all (the cloak on top did though). The idea in this video of combining the two cloaks also helps better against cold wind which I always found difficult to deal with so far cause it blows through the wool quite easily.
I spent a different day teaching archery with it and found out another very versatile option: You can also wear it as is, and only put one side of the ruana cloak in your belt (the bowhand side). Like that, it won't restrict you while shooting since the flappy part, that would normally touch the bowstring and would be a hindrance, is held back by the belt. Also, no problems with backquiver at all.
I DEFINITELY want to try this! Especially because of your fictional character endorsement, I'm definitely a fan haha
Your videos are pretty great. I've been biking across the balkans for over a month and your videos and advice have helped me a lot with DIYing my gear. I think you're the only guy i've found who's takes this practical and functional approach and takes the concept of 'adventuring' seriously.
Big compliment thank you!
The ruana was the first cloak I ever owned, and I still have mine and use it often! If you don’t want to add a hood, you can take one or both of the front tails and wrap it around your head, like a large scarf, to form a pseudo-hood as well. ALSO! I believe Aragorn’s first cloak in the Fellowship of the Ring film (before he receives his elven cloak in Lothlorien) is a similar version of a (hooded) ruana to Gandalf’s.
I was sharing in your stoke when you were talking about the cloak in the end. It is superior by a longshot lol
Great video, very informative. I would have liked to hear a bit about materials / fabrics that are ideal for cloaks (for looks and/or functionality). Otherwise, superb!
Noted! Thank you!
I just finished making my own Ruana Cloak! I love it! I bought a sheet of felted wool at a nearby fabric store and used that, it's so soft. Thank you very much for the inspiration!
A double layered cloak would solve many problems.
Take a long cloak with slots for arms, then layer a short cloak that is arm length over the top.
Your front is fully covered and your arms get full protection, and full movement.
This is called an Inverness Cape, quite popular in the Victorian period. Basil Rathbone wore one in a lot of his Sherlock Holmes movies
The youtube algorithm blessed me with this and I came to realize I actually have what is basically a (modernized) Ruana cloak in my possession. I'll definitely be checking out more of your vids.
There were indeed medieval adventurers - they would travel great distances living off the land, sleeping where they could and generally living a life of drinking, fighting, gambling etc... Today we would call them mercenaries... While some were seen very much as killers for hire (murder hobos) others became famous, rich and some died with honour, fame , respect, titles and property at quite a decent age. They were basically land pirates! They even existed in large numbers at times... They went by many names, Bascot, Routier, Freelance, Brigand, Freebooter etc... Some are well known to History, from John Hawkwood, El Cid and so on...
I jumped up when you mentioned the Ruana cloak, I have one that I bought in Ireland (of all places!), in wool with celtic knot decorations running along the edges, only the straight cornes have been rounded off. I think it is smaller than yours though. We've always called it a poncho, but the slit indeed means that's not what it is. I've been wearing it as daily wear for a few years now. It's great for autumn, something quick to wrap around me when picking my kid up from school.
My cosplay/LARP cloak is a mantle 😊. I have worn it with my back quiver over it, which does help keeping one side of the body more free to move.
I noticed the words on the pattern for the bocksten cloak. I immediately saw that I was my own Dutch language. 😄
Shad was right, this is amazing!!
Thank you!
Thanks to this video, I just took a blanket (100% cotton, looser weave, got it for free) and cut a 48" x 70" section out of it to make a ruana. I used the remainder to make leg wraps. Add that to a pair of linen trousers I already had, and a peasant top I found in a sale for £9 (about $11.50), plus some simple Mary-Jane shoes which blend in really well, and I have a really cheap but cool-looking outfit for a medieval fair I'm off to.
I'm already planning on making a bunch of these now that I've got the idea. I really want to make a 100% wool one in a simple grey much like yours. I also want to make a nice tartan wool one with a hole cut for the neck to give it a bit more style and give it as a gift to my mum. I also (also) want to make another 100% wool one for my husband in a really nice dark navy or black watch tartan.
Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Rangers apprentice is so underated
I love the Ruana cloak. I have a small dressy one and some others, but I didn't know what they were called. Now I want to make a Gandalf-sized one, because I'm old and cold and just hang out in my jammies at the computer. Love your channel! Subscribed yesterday when I saw the one on swords.
Well, prepare for a flood of views, Shad just gave you a shoutout. And you have earned a sub from me just for referencing Ranger's Apprentice.
I'm glad there's others who appreciate that series! Welcome!
That series is fantastic! I bought all the books so I can reread them from time to time.
@@ajrobbins368 I need to get a few more, I think the last one I got is Erak's Ransom, and most of the ones I read are on my parents' kindle account, which I'm coming up on losing access to. Unless there's a way of transferring those over...
@@Great_Olaf5 I bought paperback copies to save money and to easily share them with friends & family. Used can be an even more affordable option. When I can, I prefer to buy used hardcover books (in good condition) because they survive better, and cost similar to new paperback copies.
@@ajrobbins368 Yeah, but I expect to be moving around a lot in the next few years after college, so digital copies are far more practical, the less I have to lug around from one home to the next, the better.
I bought a cloak in the 8th grade, a heavy woolen cloak of boiled Austrian wool. Since I haven't gotten much taller, it still fits.
Front fastening. Deep interior pockets. Deep hood. Well cut so it stays on the shoulders when not buttoned (it also has a tie at the neck.) It is not gathered, but has a shoulder seam.
I can tell you it is an awesome garment, great for keeping warm, for keeping off the rain and snow, and in pinch, great for sleeping (you sort of wrap it sideways, as it isn't long enough otherwise). I wore it to high school, including on the ferry, all winter. I wore it through New England winters, and now I live in the South, but it still comes out a few times every winter. It was and is a marvelous garment.
Thumbs up if Shadiversity sent you here.
I made several of these ruana cloaks for the family after watching this video. We're going to be going on an adventure in full garb this winter here in Florida. Thank you for these videos and inspiring us to have some adventures in life!
The player character poses during the montage at the end, put a smile on my face.
Wonderful Channel - I discovered your channel when I searched for the "best medieval cloak for a ranger". After enjoying the video, I subscribed and then binge watched for hours. I greatly appreciate your knowledge, your approach, speaking and demonstration abilities. Thank you.
Thank YOU!
I literally used a big wool blanket and some blue knit fabric I had spare to make two of these before the video was even finished, this is amazing :D
So I have a cloak that I bought from a Renn Fair, so not sure about it's historical accuracy, but it's basically your standard tie at the neck style cloak and a Ruana cloak combined. It has the cut down the middle like a Ruana cloak, but it also has a button and strap at the neck, a hood extending from the middle, and it came with a belt and so it's designed to be folded in front very much like how you do at 18:45. It basically feels like something in between a medieval cloak and a Japanese Kimono. I love it, and wear it whenever I get the chance. I'll have to try the Ruana style you mentioned, but the one I have just feels so perfect. Although now I'm wondering if it might be a modern design.
Wow! Thanks for this video! Upon viewing this, I went out and bought a long enough blanket and made myself a Ruana cloak, and it's so nice! I want to make some slightly smaller ones later out of wool and linen for realism! Also I'd like to try my luck with blanket cloaks as well.
My uncle showed me your channel and just from watching two minutes with him I was hooked, you are highly knowledgeable about medieval dress and thus impressed me. I have subscribed to your channel and I will also recommend you to anyone else who is into renaissance festivals.
Thank you most kindly!
Well, I’m sold on that Ruana cloak style!
this is actually really good reference for writing! You bring up some points I have never thought about! Great video! Also love how you showed picture references!
Liked & Subbed!!! Well Done!!! I still prefer the mantel Cloak with a very small piece of velcro just on the edge of each side of my cloak so if I pull it back opver my shoulders I can attach the two sides together and it stays. Also, the cloak was not only a rain covering but a blanket/sleeping bag for many when travelling. I wear my pack over my cloak with a canvas oilcloth cover for the pack to hinder the water. This level of technology still keeps it properly within the framework of the "medieval" period I am looking to maintain. And Yes, The Hobbit & The Lord Of The Rings ALWAYS Gets A Pass,....On EVERYTHING!!! Magic, Clothing, Weapons, Skills, Races, Landscapes, EVERYTHING!!!
Shad sent me here. Will keep tabs on your work!
UPDATE: This video sold your channel for me. Glorious!
Years ago I had a magnificent black wool mantle cloak, and generally I'd do the over-the-shoulder for the side flaps. Never had an issue with the collar clasp.
I loved that cloak, somehow lost in a major cross country move. It was warm in the winter, and actually cool in the summer. And the wool was heavy enough that even very strong stiff breezes only made it for out, very Vader-like...
Like you, I highly value versatility. I've thougt about a cloak but felt like it would just be an extra load once non-horrible weather made it superfluous. So I've been pondering for weeks on how to combine a woolen bedroll that can double as a cloak in cold (dry) weather. I think the Gandalf-dimensioned Ruana cloak is the one, especially if holes and tie strings are added so it can be threaded shut. But with so many square feet per the three slits, one could probably just tuck the slits under oneself to minimize cold drafts. Glad I rewatched this video. Nice work.
Just WOW, thank you for helping me decide on a cloak. I have been considering adding one to my fun garb and couldn't decide on which style I really wanted. Between you and what I saw on Skill Tree, the blanket cloak is my clear winner. Thank you thank you for helping me decide
RUclips's algorithm has gifted me with a gem for once. This was epically awesome, thank you!
This was an excellent breakdown. Thanks so much. Investing in a few of these I think.
5:26
The easiest way to do this is to 1) find and mark the center by folding in half both ways 2) stake/weigh the corners down so it's flat 3) grab a string and tie a stick/pencil/etc on one end and a marker/chalk/ etc on the other to make a large compass (doing this outdoors means you can stake right through your center mark into the ground since you'll cut it out later anyway, otherwise enlist a friend) 4) draw your circle by keeping the string tight as you walk around the circumference.
This was just what i needed. I've had a lot of function issues with my mantel cloak (even though i love it). And the fact that that the Ruana cloak is so easy to make is a huge plus. I will definitely try.
“No amount of training can really beat physics.” Beautiful quote