Uniform

I've noticed recently that every drawing I do of Ranger's Apprentice, I tend to change the uniform design of the characters. Which I guess normally wouldn't bother most, but I'm weird and want to be a costume designer so I need some uniformity to my work But also don't be surprised if I post more work and I don't follow this


Jerkin
The jerkin is made out of three main pieces of boiled leather. Also called cuir bouilli, boiling leather is a process that causes the leather to harden and become more brittle and this sometimes will imitate the look of bark. Not only that, the leather can be boiled in many types of liquids and obtain the same affect(meaning that if the Corps really wanted to, they could boil it in animal urine to mask the human scent) The front plates of leather are connect to the back plate through a series of leather throngs that are stitched together. Now the front is divided into two halves. The left hand plate(as if you were wearing it) is slightly smaller than the right(not visibly) and has five leather throng loops that hook around studs found on the right hand plate. Also found on the left hand plate is an oakleaf emblem.
Throngs: #442222 [link]
Plates: #bb8855 [link]
Undershirt
The undershirt is of a much more simpler design. It is made purely out of cotton that has been dyed. The material is loose, but still form fitting enough so that it can fit under the jerkin and so it doesn't get caught on branches or other forest plants or animals. From the wrist up to the elbow there are two fabric ribbons that crisscross. This is not so much for show as it is for practicality. See, as learned in book 1, when you shoot a bow, the string has a tendency to scrape down the arm and leave a welt. Because of this all Ranger's wear a metal cuff, as known as a vambrace. Now to allow for the cleanest follow through, a vambrace must be snug against the skin. Normally you would allow for an underbrace(goes under a vambrace) to make it more comfortable, though it does protrude more. With this thought in mind I allowed for the shirt to be long sleeved because you do need something between your skin and a vambrace, but I also added the ribbons in to hold the shirt in place as close to the skin as possible and to allow for a smaller, more snug vambrace. Thus, allowing a cleaner shot.
Cotton thread 1: #999944 [link]
Cotton thread 2: #887700 [link]
Fabric Ribbon: #554400 [link]
Pants
The pants, though you can't tell it, only go past the knees a few inches(like capris) and are then met by knee-high socks. Now, I don't think I need to go into detail about the socks because lets face it, they're socks. Well, the pants are made out of a wool and are dyed as well. They have, like our pants today, do have belt loops that not only hold the obvious but allow for weapon scabbards to be hung or pouches if need be.
Wool thread 1: #665522 [link]
Wool thread 2: #554422 [link]
Wool thread 3: #ccbb88 [link]
Belt
The belt, like the jerkin, is made out of boiled leather as well and has a bronze buckle to it. Nothing fancy
Belt: #442222 [link]
Boots
Now the boots have an original boot and then a riding slip cover. This is because when you ride the saddle and boot rubs together and will soon create a hole in the leather. With a cover your original boot is never truly harmed. The original boot is made up of a soft leather that will allow the Rangers to still move silently. The cover is made up of to different parts. The sleeve and the cuff. The sleeve and cuff are both made up of boiled leather but in different color dyes.
Original boot: #221111 [link]
Cover sleeve: #554433 [link]
Cover cuff: #222211 [link]
Vambraces
The vambraces are made out of a smooth leather that is reinforced by a sheet of steel underneath to protect the wearer in close combat situations but also to allow for the vambrace to remain straight and not crease, which will then allow for a clean release when you shoot.
Vambrace: #554433 [link]
Gloves
The gloves are made out of cotton and are dyed as well. They have no finger tips to allow for a firm grip on weapons or ledges. The glove doesn't serve much purpose, but it is there to try and prevent minor scrapes to the palms of your hands.
Cotton thread 1: #222222 [link]
Cotton thread 2: #444444 [link]
Cotton thread 3: #999999 [link]
Archer Glove
Now the archer glove is really a thing, but not very commonly used. The version I have created is slightly different from the ones normally seen. It is plain and very durable leather to allow for movement and it has finger tips that hook around to eliminate slipping. Also, two black elastic threads go around both middle and forefingers and one around the base of the thumb. The glove continues down and cuffs around the base of the wrist. The archer glove is meant to be worn on the more dominant arm/hand to protect the soft flesh from the bowstring, which after a while can actually begin to cut into the fingers. If this were to happen, then the archer might lose his grip causing a bad shot.
Leather: #222222 [link]
Elastic threads: #444444 [link]

There you have it. The description of my design of the Rangers uniform. I'm sorry that it was so long! And that I got kinda technical with it...BUT anyway, I hope that it makes since, and no I didn't design the cloak yet. I plan on making that sometime soon. The reasons why I haven't done it yet is that I didn't have enough room on my paper and because I'm having a hard time deciding on colors

This work is based off the wonderful series Ranger's Apprentice written by John Flanagan.