Medieval shirt for reenactment and Larp
Medieval shirt – the centrepiece of any historical outfit
The medieval shirt forms the basis of every re-enactment outfit, every LARP costume and every atmospheric ensemble at the medieval market. With over 200 styles – from the simple linen shirt worn under a tunic to the striking laced shirt – you’ll find the perfect piece here for every level of authenticity and every occasion. Whether you’re putting together a medieval outfit for the first time or want to complete your late medieval outfit with a historically accurate undergarment – this overview will help you make your choice.
What was the medieval shirt historically? From undergarment to outerwear
Early Middle Ages
During the Viking Age and the Early Middle Ages, the ankle-length tunic (cotte) made of wool or linen was the dominant garment. A separate ‘shirt’ worn as an undergarment was rarely seen – the tunic served as both outer and undergarment. Textile finds from this period are scarce, so the depictions are partly reconstructive.
High Middle Ages
In the High Middle Ages, long tunics dominated the fashion scene. The first leggings – trouser legs made in the style of straps, fastened to a waistband with drawstrings – appeared. The shirt as a separate garment was still virtually non-existent; the tunic fulfilled this function.
Late Middle Ages
In the Late Middle Ages, fashion became more form-fitting. Tunics grew shorter, and leggings evolved into breeches. The shirt established itself as a separate undergarment made of linen – the only fine fabric available, as cotton was not yet spun in Central Europe. The cut was deliberately simple: rectangular panels of fabric, an underarm gusset for freedom of movement, and a slit or wide-cut neckline. There were no lacing details in the original find.
Early Modern Period
The former undergarment moved into the fashion spotlight as outerwear. Lacing at the neckline and sleeves, stand-up collars, V-necks and ruffles emerged. The classic ‘laced shirt’ as worn today at medieval markets belongs historically to this era – not an original medieval find, but a logical fashion evolution.
Authentic vs. Medieval Fair: Which type of shirt suits your purpose?
The question of which shirt is the right one depends less on personal taste than on the intended use. Different standards apply to a historical re-enactment camp than to a LARP event or a visit to the nearest medieval market.
- Simple rectangular cut, without lacing
- Natural colours or white, no elaborate decorative embellishments
- Linen preferred – historically documented material
- For late medieval outfits: shirt worn under the doublet
- For the High Middle Ages: a rather long tunic instead of a separate shirt
- Lacing at the neckline or on the sleeves permitted
- Expressive appearance, wide range of colours
- Cotton or blended fabric – durable and easy-care
- Can also be used as a pirate shirt or fantasy costume
- Perfect for carnival and Shrove Tuesday
An important note for re-enactors: if your outfit is based on the High Middle Ages, you’re better off choosing a long Viking tunic or cotte. The loose-fitting shirt as an undergarment only dates historically from the Late Middle Ages – it’s barely visible under a tabard or gambeson, which is why function and material take precedence over appearance here.
Materials at a glance: cotton, linen and blended fabrics
| Material | Suitability | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 100% cotton | LARP / Market | Affordable, easy-care, breathable, washable at 30°C – ideal for beginners and frequent use |
| 100% linen | Reenactment | Historically accurate choice, comfortable in warm weather, becomes softer with wear and washing, slightly higher price |
| Cotton-linen blend | Reenactment | Combines the advantages of both fibres: feels similar to linen, yet is slightly more robust and more affordable |
Our own brand, Vehi Mercatus, consistently uses natural fibres – no synthetics, no polyester blends. The fabrics are manufactured in weaving mills to our own specifications and are thus tailored to the requirements of medieval garments. Those who take part in LARP and need to wash frequently should opt for cotton. Those who prioritise authenticity and want something comfortable to wear even in summer should choose linen.
Cut and style: the main types of shirts in the range
Simple knight’s shirts
Classically cut shirts with a small collar, button or short slit at the neckline, in natural, white or black. Ideal as an undershirt beneath a gambeson or doublet – here, the shirt primarily serves a functional purpose. From approx. €29, in 100% cotton.
Lace-up shirts
Shirts with lacing at the neckline and/or on the sleeves – the classic choice for medieval markets and LARP events. Versatile and easy to combine, can also be worn as a pirate shirt. Historically dating from the early modern period, but the first choice for medieval markets and LARP. Available in many colours from natural to black.
Tunics with a shirt-like design
Transitional styles between long tunics and shirts – knee-length, often with detachable sleeves for flexible use. Ideal for periods where the distinction between tunic and shirt is blurred. Also available in multicoloured versions, in a cotton blend fabric.
The range includes both short-sleeved and long-sleeved styles, various collar shapes and a wide colour spectrum: natural, white, black, blue, red, green and brown. Sizes from S to XXXL are available across the range – allowing you to put together a garment to suit almost any body shape.
Price guide: How much does a medieval shirt cost?
Cotton shirts such as Götz or Ulrich – solid workmanship, easy to care for, ideal for a first visit to a medieval market or occasional LARP. These styles are ready to wear and can be easily combined with medieval trousers or leggings.
Models such as Corvin or Ludwig with more elaborate lacing details, some with a linen content or higher-quality workmanship. Brands such as Leonardo Carbone or Battle Merchant are also well represented in this price segment. A good choice for regular LARP events and market visitors.
Tunics with a shirt-like character, such as the Bent tunic with detachable sleeves, blended fabrics or special cuts. For re-enactors who value historically accurate materials, or for more elaborate late medieval outfits. Burgschneider and our own Vehi Mercatus brand are particularly well represented here.
Our range includes shirts from Battle Merchant (87 items), Leonardo Carbone (69 items), Burgschneider (28 items) and our own brand Vehi Mercatus (16 items) – covering everything from affordable entry-level options to quality-conscious designs in natural fibres.
Care and styling: How to wear and wash your medieval shirt correctly
Cotton shirts can usually be machine-washed at 30°C. Linen requires similar care and actually becomes softer and more comfortable against the skin with repeated washing. Important: Always read the sewn-in care labels – new shirts in particular may shrink slightly during the first wash. If you want to avoid shrinkage, wash in cold water the first time.
The medieval shirt as a base layer can be combined in many ways. The most common combinations:
- Shirt + doublet + medieval trousers or leggings – classic late medieval outfit
- Shirt + gambeson – for stage combat or as a base layer for armour
- Shirt + tabard – for knightly portrayals at the market
- Shirt on its own – at the medieval market in summer or as a casual outfit for LARP
When the shirt is worn under a doublet or gambeson, it is barely visible – in this case, fit and material quality matter more than visual detail. Well-fitting sleeves that do not bulge out from under the doublet’s sleeves are therefore crucial. The available sizes from S to XXXL ensure you find the fit you need.
Whether you’re looking for your first medieval shirt for your next market visit or want to complete an authentic late medieval outfit – with over 200 styles ranging from cotton to linen, from plain to laced, you’ll find the right piece here. Browse through the selection and, if in doubt, get advice over the phone.
Frequently asked questions
In the Middle Ages themselves, there was no standard term – the undergarment was simply referred to as a tunic or shirt. The term 'medieval shirt' is a modern collective term for shirts that replicate historical clothing from the Middle Ages. At medieval markets and in LARP, ‘laced shirt’ is also a common term, although lacing did not appear historically until the early modern period.
The historical medieval shirt was simple: rectangular panels of fabric, an underarm gusset for freedom of movement, and a wide-cut or slightly slit neckline. It was made almost exclusively from linen, as cotton could not yet be spun in Central Europe during the Middle Ages. Lacing, ruffles or elaborate embellishments on the shirt are a development of the Early Modern period.
The tunic is a long-sleeved, often knee-length outer garment made from heavier fabrics such as wool, which has been worn since antiquity. The shirt, on the other hand, only became established in the late Middle Ages as a lighter undergarment made of linen. In the Early and High Middle Ages, the tunic fulfilled both roles. For historically accurate High Middle Ages re-enactments, a tunic is therefore recommended; for Late Middle Ages outfits, the classic tunic.
For authentic re-enactment, linen is the first choice – it is the historically documented material and comfortable in warm weather. For LARP, frequent washing and beginners, 100% cotton is the more practical solution: cheaper, easier to care for and machine washable at 30°C. A cotton-linen blend combines the advantages of both materials and is a good compromise for many uses.
A puffed-sleeve shirt – also known as a peasant shirt or laced shirt – is a shirt with wide, puffed sleeves and lacing at the neckline. It is not a medieval invention, but a fashion from the early modern period (16th–17th centuries). It is therefore unsuitable for historically accurate re-enactment. At medieval markets, in LARP or at carnival, however, it is a popular and atmospheric garment.