Closeout Sale! Cotton Gambeson

Based on historical patterns Engineered for ease of motion Made of 100% heavy cotton outer and 100% cotton lining Heavy weight garment tough enough to stand hard use Fully quilted Available in basic black Metal buttons Machine washable  Only 2 sizes left Large and XLarge  Price- Regularly: $249.95 Now $60 off- On Closeout for $189.95! Please note: This product is on Closeout because it is being redesigned and will not be restocked at this price We're proud to offer the first historically patterned, off-the-rack, affordable gambeson. Our cotton gambeson is based on a combination of 14th century sources, both extant garments and contemporary artwork. We've retained the most important aspects of the historical patterns, particularly the exaggerated armhole, also called 'le grande assiette sleeve', which permits complete freedom of arm movement. Made with an outer layer of heavy cotton canvas this gambeson is a heavier, tougher version of our linen gambeson, its more closely cut arms making it well suited for use with fitted arm harness. The quilting pattern takes inspiration from period garment quilting designs and it has a medium weight cotton canvas lining for a combination of protection and breathability. We have added a collar for additional comfort. Large, metal shank buttons make the gambeson easy to button and unbutton when get in and out of your harness.

Our 14th century Cotton Gambeson, shown with our Cotton Arming Cap

"A good gambeson is as important as the plate armour it supports - this is the best platform I have found for 14th Century armour." - Christian Tobler Order of Selohaar "Unlike the materials used in many gambesons, the cotton twill used in the outer layer and lining in my Revival gambeson breathes even when I use it in the heat of summer, and hasn't lost its shape after many washings." -Greg Mele Chicago Swordplay Guild

 

This chart is meant as a general reference - while the actual sizes are larger than regular sizes this is because we discovered during our market research that due to the thickness of our gambeson most people preferred a somewhat larger size than they would normally choose in the case of civilian clothing. Please note that if you are on the cusp between sizes that general fit preferences and size of your frame should determine which size you choose. For a looser fit and/or a heavier frame order the larger size. If you prefer a more tailored fit or are of slimmer build order the smaller size. This style is designed to be looser in the chest and more fitted in the waist and hips as were the historical models.

 

 

Drawing after a detail of the "Martyrdom of Saint Catherine" in the Little Church of Saint Francis, circa 1360	Drawing after the mid-14th C. jack of Charles de Blois in the Musees de Tissus in Lyon, France
Drawing after the Jupon of Charles VI in the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Chartes, late 14th century
Drawing after in the Catholicon circa 1348 in Liege University, Belgium	Drawing from a detail of the Weltchronik of Rudolf von Ems c. 1360 in Austria
drawing after detail of a fresco by Andrea di Bonaiuto in the Spanish Chapel in Santa Maria, Novella, Florence, Italy c 1366-67	drawing after detail of a fresco by fresco by Giusto de Menabuoi in the Bapistry, Padua, Italy c 1378
gambeson [gaembsn] n. a quilted and padded or stuffed leather or cloth garment worn under chain mail in the Middle Ages and later as a doublet by men and women. [from Old French, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German wamba, belly; see {womb}] Source: The Collins English Dictionary ©1998 HarperCollins Publishers