Middle-Earth Clothing - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

johnconor · 06-08-2009, 12:12 AM

The term Middle-earth is not, however, used in Tolkien's earliest writings about his created world: writings that date from the early 1920s and which were later published in The Book of Lost Tales (1983-4); nor is the term used in The Hobbit (1937).[8] Tolkien began to use the term "Middle-earth" in the latter part of the 1930s, in place of the earlier terms "Great Lands", "Outer Lands", and "Hither Lands" that he had used to describe this region in his stories.[8] The term Middle-earth appears in the drafts of The Lord of the Rings, and the first published appearance of the word "Middle-earth" in Tolkien's works is in the Prologue to that work: "...Hobbits had, in fact, lived quietly in Middle-earth for many long years before other folk even became aware of them.

Hookbill the Goomba · 06-08-2009, 04:14 AM

johnconor; if you are going to lift a mostly irrelevant article from wikipedia , make sure you take the footnote references out. It's just sloppy.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 06-08-2009, 06:02 AM

That was a strange one.

I get the feeling that hats were far more frequent in Middle-earth than our modern world. Hats and facial hair.

They were simpler times; they were better times.

Mithalwen · 06-08-2009, 09:11 AM

But what became of the shapeless felt bag Sam used as a hat on departure from Bag End but which was never mentioned again? Lost on the road or on the downs?

Rumil · 06-08-2009, 12:56 PM

Nicely spotted Mith!

some other clothing-related odds and ends...

No shoes for hobbits, hairy feet mandatory (unless you believe Maril

), except for some of the Stoors that seem to have worn clogs or boots in marshy land.

The Guard at Minas Tirith wore surcoats over their armour.

Oh, and the Dwarven cloaks had detachable hoods (how does that work?)

The Shirrifs wore caps with feathers on.

Wood elves liked green, Lothlorien elves grey or white.

Cloaks seem popular - hobbits, dwarves, Aragorn, elves, Wizards, etc

Orc clothes were made of some unclean hairy beast-fell (reminded me of horribly scratchy camel-hair coats that were popular in the 70s)

Definitely agree with Eomer that practically everyone would wear a hat (when outside of course), after all 50 years ago in our reality practically everyone did too - little in the way of central heating, shopping malls, cars etc.

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 06-08-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumil

Oh, and the Dwarven cloaks had detachable hoods (how does that work?)

With zippers of course!

Anyway, I rather liked the clothing in the films because it made the Elves look angelic, the dwarves dirty, and the hobbits rustic.

I have a notion that elves would wear soft, thin fabrics like silk.

Hobbits would wear bright colours, obviously, but the fabrics would be something comfortable bu not too expensive.

Orcs would wear whatever they could find!

Rumil · 06-08-2009, 03:13 PM

TGEW - zippers

makes me think the Dwarves liked their hoodies for suspicious lurking around shopping centres while not appearing on CCTV (Watchers??).

06-08-2009, 12:12 AM	#1
johnconor Newly Deceased Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1	hello The term Middle-earth is not, however, used in Tolkien's earliest writings about his created world: writings that date from the early 1920s and which were later published in The Book of Lost Tales (1983-4); nor is the term used in The Hobbit (1937).[8] Tolkien began to use the term "Middle-earth" in the latter part of the 1930s, in place of the earlier terms "Great Lands", "Outer Lands", and "Hither Lands" that he had used to describe this region in his stories.[8] The term Middle-earth appears in the drafts of The Lord of the Rings, and the first published appearance of the word "Middle-earth" in Tolkien's works is in the Prologue to that work: "...Hobbits had, in fact, lived quietly in Middle-earth for many long years before other folk even became aware of them.

06-08-2009, 04:14 AM	#2
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	johnconor; if you are going to lift a mostly irrelevant article from wikipedia , make sure you take the footnote references out. It's just sloppy. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket... Last edited by Hookbill the Goomba; 06-08-2009 at 04:30 AM.

06-08-2009, 06:02 AM	#3
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	That was a strange one. I get the feeling that hats were far more frequent in Middle-earth than our modern world. Hats and facial hair. They were simpler times; they were better times. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

06-08-2009, 09:11 AM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	taking a pro-hat, anti-facial hair stance... But what became of the shapeless felt bag Sam used as a hat on departure from Bag End but which was never mentioned again? Lost on the road or on the downs?

06-08-2009, 12:56 PM	#5
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 894	I'll get my coat Nicely spotted Mith! some other clothing-related odds and ends... No shoes for hobbits, hairy feet mandatory (unless you believe Maril ), except for some of the Stoors that seem to have worn clogs or boots in marshy land. The Guard at Minas Tirith wore surcoats over their armour. Oh, and the Dwarven cloaks had detachable hoods (how does that work?) The Shirrifs wore caps with feathers on. Wood elves liked green, Lothlorien elves grey or white. Cloaks seem popular - hobbits, dwarves, Aragorn, elves, Wizards, etc Orc clothes were made of some unclean hairy beast-fell (reminded me of horribly scratchy camel-hair coats that were popular in the 70s) Definitely agree with Eomer that practically everyone would wear a hat (when outside of course), after all 50 years ago in our reality practically everyone did too - little in the way of central heating, shopping malls, cars etc. __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion

06-08-2009, 03:13 PM	#7
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 894	Zippedy doo dah TGEW - zippers makes me think the Dwarves liked their hoodies for suspicious lurking around shopping centres while not appearing on CCTV (Watchers??). __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion