The Fashion Of Pagans (or what to do with that funky tablecloth…) 
by Blayze

I have to first start by saying that if you read the title carefully you will have noticed that this article is all about Pagan clothing… not about being a pagan because it is fashionable. But maybe one concept leads to another - freaky huh? Anyway, besides a belief in a multitude of Gods and Goddesses, I also have a strong belief that playing dress-up can be good for you, especially when it comes to rituals and gatherings.

I am a proud procurer of ritual clothing from your standard black robe to a multitude of velveteen creations and I also take great delight in observing my fellow pagans in all their costumed glory. I do practice skyclad on occasion but generally not in public as spiral dancing nekkid tends to leave me with bruises on my chin (know what I mean gals?) and provides a striking lack of support for relevant body parts. So we will calmly leave the issue of ritual nudity to another time and place and concentrate on ritual of the covered-up variety (although there will be more on scantily-clad nymphettes later).

In the twisted universe that is my mind I have come up with a few different categories of pagan fashion for us to ponder. These are as follows:

•	The Members Of The Mighty Clan McLincraft
•	The Dread Pirate Roberts
•	The Thou-Shalt-Only-Wear-Black-Cotton-Robes Coven of Righteous Natural Fibres
•	The Panne-Velvet Stretchy Brigade
•	The Androgynous Vampire Pagan
•	The Buxom Corsetted Beauties
•	The Colour-coded Theatricals
•	The Menagerie of Furry Fox Heads
•	The Diaphanous Hellenists
•	Ritual Clothing Is For Wankers - Street Clothes Rule!
•	The Scantily-clad Nymphette
•	The Eclectic Witchling
•	The Weapon In Every Orifice Collector
•	The Feral In The Woods
•	Robin Hood Meets the Green Man 

I have provided some handy check boxes for you to mark off your own categories. I think I fall into at least 70% of them and my point is that there is nothing wrong with that. We all have our own paths and our own clothing choices, as pagan fashion can be a pick’n’mix affair. However taste and practicality should probably come into the equation somewhere. I will expound on my own theories of the use of pagan costumes later, but first I suppose you will be wanting a trainspotters guide to each of the above titles. Well here goes:

The Members Of The Mighty Clan McLincraft
The Clan McLincraft are noted for wearing designs of cunningly woven checks or plaids. Take note though that this material is not related to the tartans of Highland Scotland. The colours and patterns are generally chosen from a selection of end-of-run bolts of cloth on special at the local haberdashery and the type of cloth may vary from heavy wool through warming flannelette to summer-weight cotton. Members of this clan favour half-circle cloaks that are worn over one shoulder, caught in a ring brooch and allowed to fall in semi-graceful folds to just below the knee. The lower garment is either a kilt or a pair of trews (checked surfing trousers with drawstrings, pyjama bottoms or sometimes home sewn strangely-crutched trousers).  Covering the upper body is either a t-shaped tunic that falls to mid-thigh or a linen pirate shirt (if black, this can be a useful garment when the owner wishes to hide in the disguise of the Dread Pirate Roberts). Those of the clan who have been collecting various ritual garments for a couple of years may also choose to complete their ensemble with a twisted wire torc about the neck. When fully arrayed (and aroused) the males of McLincraft can make a Scantily-clad Nymphette or a Buxom Corsetted Beauty go weak at the knees.

The Dread Pirate Roberts
The Dread Pirate Roberts is almost always dressed in black (though this should in no-way leave him confused with the Androgynous Vampire). Standard attire for any dread pirate should include black leather trousers (though not too tight) and a full sleeved black shirt preferably with leather thonging stretched tight against the chest. Black leather boots and a wide belt complete the outfit. A Sword is an optional although highly desirable accoutrement. If the Dread Pirate is also a member of the Fae then the boots are allowed to be purple. Not many people can carry off the Dread Pirate Roberts look, so attempt this with care and a good mirror. 

The Thou-Shalt-Only-Wear-Black-Cotton-Robes Coven of Righteous Natural Fibres
A good black robe is akin to the little black dress. They are hard to get wrong although tasteful fabric choice is a must. Members of this coven are fully aware of the fact and choose to make their robes out of natural fibres and only natural fibres. Nothing shimmering here. They are real witches and real witches take care not to look like they are going to a Wizard’s fancy dress party. Sequins are definitely out. If possible the robe should have a hood, either to negate distraction whilst meditating or to just look dark and mysterious, or even to just have the potential to look dark and mysterious if they so wish. Standard jewellery is limited to one pentacle necklace and one necklace of strung crystals. About the waist will be a cord and a belt from which hangs a dagger and a pouch to keep odds and ends in. ( I tend to keep tissues, a lighter and Ventolin in mine). The addition of Hogwarts House patches is not recommended for the serious coven member although they can be added when attending movie and book launches as a sign that witches can be proud fans too.

The Panne-Velvet Stretchy Brigade
Members of this brigade celebrate all things stretchy and velvety and are often arrayed in velvets of many colours. There is a need to be careful here though, just because a garment is made of velvet, does not make it tasteful. Plain velvet is a wondrous fabric; graceful, warm and luxurious. Stretch velvet is cheap but also incredibly hard to sew properly and so consequently many garments literally come apart at the seams. It is also not recommended to try stirring a cauldron over a fire pit whilst wearing panne velvet. That said, watching a group of pagans reflecting in the moonlight can be a beautiful thing. Invite members to your ritual to see the glory that is a rainbow at night.

The Androgynous Vampire Pagan
These are a peculiar breed and can often be found haunting a pagan gathering and a goth club or live action role-playing session on the same night / early morning. Rarely sighted in daylight, the Androgynous Vampire Pagan is noted for its black wardrobe, silver or blood red jewellery, corsetry, lace or fishnet highlights and extremely pale skin colour. Sometimes the females will wear flowing, many-layered skirts but this is okay as the only fires they like to get close to are on top of candles, immolation being a primal fear. The modern Vampire Pagan will compliment his or her ritual wear with colourfully dyed hair in eye-watering colours or stick to the more traditional black. Whether this is an attempt to subtly invoke the elements through the tops of their heads is as yet an unproven theory. 

The Buxom Corsetted Beauties
To be considered as one of these lovely lasses you should not be afraid of tight lacing. The wearing of a corset is considered a badge of honour, the tighter the better and the more exposed flesh spilling out of the top will quickly propel the wearer to the top of the buxom fashionista tree. Size and body shape do not matter in this style of clothing as the corset is the foundation garment to end all foundation garments. A willingness to go without breathing is another asset to joining this path. Depending on one’s background, (graduation being from the Androgynous Vampire School, the SCA or the local B&D club) the choice of material for the corset will vary from black lace or heavy velvet, muted dyed calico or shiny PVC. Accompanying skirt may be of black lace, velvet or in a matching fabric to one’s McLincraft partner. 

The Colour Coded Theatricals
Usually moving in coven-like packs, the Theatricals will guard their vast trunks of appropriate ritual wear armed only with a set of deadly needles blessed by the Goddess Needella-Thred. Pre-eminent in the coven will be the Seamstress who can make any costume out of spare cloth left over from last Sabbat’s ritual. To be welcomed into their ranks, one must understand the full nature of colour correspondence as it applies to the elements, the days of the week, the phases of the moon and the festivals celebrated by each and every path. Noted for their use of vibrant masks, colourful cloaks and tabards the Theatricals will be able to outfit a plethora of street-clothed pagans in an instant and transform a ritual into a riot of appropriately-hued magnificence.  

The Menagerie of Furry Fox Heads
These guys and gals hail from either an animist or ruggedly heathen background. The former will be draped in preserved body parts representing their totem animal and the latter will be armed to the teeth and only partially visible under the mounds of roughly sewn-together fox skins clasped at the shoulder with a heavy iron ring. There is often blue paint involved somewhere as well. Kin to both the Feral in the Woods and the Clan McLincraft, the Menagerie’s fashion sense is primal to say to least. If the wearer is partial to the use of incenses and smudging then they are good to snuggle up to by a winter’s fire, otherwise you may be better off sitting on the other side of the circle and watching their totem animal’s eyes glare at you in the fire light. Other garments worn by the Menagerie do not really matter as they will usually be found naked except for blue paint and fur by the end of the evening.

The Diaphanous Hellenists
Resembling a Classical Greek statue come to life, these Diaphanous-ones reach their fashion peak during the long, hot months of summer. A liking for thin cotton drapery will get you far in their ranks as will the desire to show quite a lot of leg. Short tunics held by delicate clasps at the shoulder and a pair of good, sturdy leather sandals will set you in good stead. The ladies sometimes favour a longer length garment but for all the modesty of covering up their legs, they will often leave a breast exposed. Corded girdles are a must to achieve the desired ruching of a straight length of cloth. A good look to go for at a summer festival, as you will look cool and collected whilst those around you are sweating under their fur-lined cloaks.

The Scantily-Clad Nymphette
The delight of the pagan community, the Scantily-clad Nymphette wears her almost-there clothes with style. A whisp of silk and a bare midriff with a couple of scarves to serve as a border for an artist clutching their palette of body paint, and the nymphette is ready to dance the night away around the roaring fire. Standard ritual equipment for the nymphette includes a fire stick or a pair of fire chains and a pot of flying ointment with which to anoint all who dare get too close. A medicine pouch on a thong about the neck completes the ensemble. As midnight approaches her clothes fall away and she transports all who journey with her to an ecstatic melding of earth and spirit. By daylight the nymphette may be in disguise as a Feral In The Wood or an Eclectic Witchling but at night they truly shine.

The Eclectic Witchling
If you have not quite found your path then dressing as an eclectic witchling may be just what you need. Borrowing from almost all of the styles on the list, the witchling will try everything on for size. Dressed mainly in black they may emerge in canny mix of panne velvet, tartan and fur with a hooded cloak that matches nothing. This look can either work really well and highlight an individual’s creative flair or fail dismally and inspire a quick choice of a more rigidly adhered to fashion path. 

The Weapon in Every Orifice Collector
The collector’s standard ritual gear will include at least one sword (usually short), a dagger, a carried axe or broadsword and a skan dubh. Either a collector of reproduction weaponry or a sword-maker themselves, clothing itself does not really matter. Who is going to critique someone that well-armed? That said, the Collector will generally go the route of sub-menagerie or robe wearing covenor - although the restriction on natural fibres usually does not apply and will sometimes carry over into the Panne-velvet brigade. The sub-group of Collectors is almost always trained in some kind of martial art and doubles as a security guard at gatherings. They can be fun to meet on a dark night as long as your taste runs to sharp-stabby-pointy things. Black is the preferred colour of cloth, however shiny tiger prints have been known to surface amongst their ranks. Heavy metal t-shirts may also figure prominently in their wardrobe. If you can discern a clanking cloaked figure by moonlight - congratulations, you have found yourself a Collector. Place your knife orders now.

The Feral In The Woods
Hailing from either the inner-city or a northern coastal town, the Feral In The Woods comes complete with hemp clothing, a rainbow hairband holding back their dreadlocks, a djembe and a totally earthy approach to magic. Their cloth bags are always full of interesting herbs and clothing is almost always loose fitting. Females of the species may on occasion morph into scantily clad nymphettes and the rare non-vegan amongst the tribe may also wander into the realms of the Menagerie. 

Robin Hood Meets the Green Man
Green is the only colour allowed in this fashion parade. From dark earthy tones to the vibrant leaf green of spring, a long tunic, a cloak and boots will enable you to move through the forest in total camouflage. Leaves in the hair are also a must. As is, for some reason, a tin whistle or pipe. Slender weaponry and an ability with a bow will bring bonus points. A word of warning here though, these Green Men abhore any fabric that shimmers and shines so suede, cotton drill, dull velvet and wool are the only fabrics allowed. In autumn the tones may also include rusts and browns, but only for the one season. If a Green Man or Woman has succeeded in their camouflage for a certain number of years, then embroidery of woven leaves and vines may be added to the tunic as a sign of eldership.