Clothing It is said that there is a big difference between the clothing of the Green Elves, the Sindar of Ossiriand, and the Noldor. One can also see a difference between the Noldor that abide in Lothlórien, those who dwell in Imladris, and the Elves in Mirkwood. As these branches of my kin are different in their ways and character, so are they also different in choosing their garments. Furthermore, one can also see a difference in what the Eldar wore in the past and what we wear in more recent times. It seems fitting to mention older clothing styles first. The Laiquendi of Ossiriand (also known as the Laegrim) were mostly clad in the green shades of forest leaves so as to remain unseen, for after the great battles that took place in the First Age of the Sun they chose hiding over open war. The Noldor, on the other hand, wore only white, gray and silver. There are many renowned people from our history of whom we have a clear description in the scrolls. Many have heard of the White Lady of the Noldor, king Turgon's sister Aredhel of Gondolin, that great and mighty city. As her name suggests, her clothing was white or silver; this brought her much grief when she tried to flee from her husband Eöl's home. It is written that he could see and follow her from afar as she fled, for her garments seemed to gleam in the shadows of the forest. Speaking of the land of Gondolin, I must tell of the outfits of the guards that kept watch over the seven gates. As each new gate was passed, the number of guards became greater and their clothing changed in accord with the appearance of the gate at which they were posted. Those at the Gate of Stone were clad in gray cloaks that hid them in the shadows. Guards at the Bronze Gate wore mail that seemed even to glow, just as the firelight that lit the gate which they guarded. Defenders of the Iron Gate were garbed all in black, from clothing to armor to weapons, and their helmets each bore an eagle's beak in honor of the mighty eagle Thorondor. The archers who watched over the Silver Gate were arrayed in silver and white, as was fitting for their post. The second to last gate was the Golden Gate, and this gate was patrolled by yet more archers, these attired in shades of gold and fire. At the seventh gate, the Gate of Steel, only one elf stood guard. This sentinel of the final entry into Gondolin was none other than the great Ecthelion, Lord of the Fountains. He was clothed as befitting one of his stature, with armor of silver, of steel, and of diamond, and his shield was covered with crystal. As we move on to the Third Age, we find that the colours of our raiments have not changed much. Even the differences between the Noldor and the Mirkwood elves have remained consistent. The Woodland elves dress mostly in green and brown, making them almost indistinguishable among the trees. They rarely wear jewels, except perhaps for those that are green or white; instead they adorn themselves with flowers. As we consider the Noldor in the Third Age, we discover that their clothes are still the same tones of silver, gray, and white. Sometimes we can find them dressed in shades of blue, such as some of the raiments of the lady Arwen of Imladris, now Queen of Gondor and Arnor. It is said, and passed down to us, that at her first meeting with the lord Elessar she wore a mantle of silver and blue… though what is true and what is not only she can tell. The most important thing, however, is that we dress in the colours of the shadows. The lord Elrond prefers dressing in a mantle of gray, and while still dwelling in Imladris, the lady Undómiel also wore simple gowns. Shining gems were set in her hair, when her head was not covered with a cap of silver lace (here I must add that we women of the Eldalië are fond of wearing such headdresses, known as tressures). In the wintertime we tend to dress in warmer clothes, which are oft times lined with fur. A special part in this account must also be given to the cloaks of our kin in the fair woods of Lothlórien. Magical or enchanted some may call them, yet common sense shows that this is not true. They carry the thoughts of my kin – their love for the leaves and branches of the trees, the water and stone – for in everything we do we express ourselves and our feelings. In a way, wearing the cloaks of the Lady of Lorien is also to wear her blessing. The guards on her borders are hard to see, clad in the shadowy-gray tones of the forest; beware on your way to that land! Lastly, a special word must be said of the fairest of all Noldor, Finarfin's daughter Lady Galadriel, and of her husband, the wisest of all Elves, Lord Celeborn. Both of them have seen many years in this world, and their garments illuminate the inner light that lives within them. They are wholly white, and resemble the peace and serenity of the world as they remember it from when they awoke under the stars, before evil came to corrupt it. With that, my friends, I have reached the end of this account. Hopefully these words have enlightened you about the dress of my people. Be at peace, and may the Sun shine on your path forever. By Anárië Research Back to the top