Power Randy wrote:
> Has anyone thought how strange the clothing is on Pern?
> I mean they travelled in space eons into the future yet they seem to wear
> early earth period clothing. I for one would have thought they would of had
> modern clothing patterns, I realise too that most things perished but
> clothing could of been cut from other items of clothing so that a pattern
> would not need to be used or could be replaced . This is not a huge issue
> just a curious one probably held only by me...
>
> Bea :)
It isn't strange at all. Early period clothing had little to do with
being primitive and all to do with conservation of cloth. Since the
Pernese are probably limited to medieval-type warp-weighted looms or
maybe even horizontal treadle looms(at least before AIVAS), cloth is
going to take a lot of time and energy to create, so you don't want to
waste it.
Rectangular construction is one of the best ways to use cloth with
little waste. You don't get the tight, body-hugging fit which is what
modern patterns go for, but that isn't a major priority in Pernese
culture anyways. Authentic recreations of medieval garments often look
"odd" to modern eyes, who are used to a garment being smooth across the
body, not having wrinkles and lines that aren't perfectly matched to the
body.
Now when you have a scarcity of a resource, the wealthy will demonstrate
their wealth through conspicious consumption - meaning they will show
off what is rare (think diamond jewelry today). When it comes to
clothing, they will use richer fabrics that cost more in resources and
labor to produce and use more of it, either through fancier details,
more gores or more wasteful cutting. So think fuller garments for the
wealthy. Even the wealthy in the Middle Ages, though, didn't waste what
they had. Medieval wardrobe accounts are fascinating for those kind of
details.
For a better idea of what I'm talking about, check out this website on
recreating the t-tunic and see how every scrap of yardage is used.
http://www.forest.gen.nz/Medieval/articles/Tunics/TUNICS.HTML
- Joanne
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