Gold Key

What Is It and How to Borrow It

SCA events require those attending to make some attempt at pre-17th Century dress. Concerned about not having an outfit that fills this requirement? Gold Key is the answer! Gold Key is a collection of garb, accessories, and feastware that the Chatelaine takes to events for new members to borrow.

Garb - Garb is our word for period-looking clothing appropriate for an SCA event. Modernly, the word would be costume. The Barony of Cynnabar has a collection of garb for men, women, and children. Our loaner garb varies in size and we should have something to fit most people.

Please Note: Gold Key is a great way to get started. You may not find something that fits the specific persona (A person of a specific time and place), but this will assist you in getting through your first few events. In time you will be expected to acquire your own garb. This can be done by either making it yourself, or purchasing it. Other opportunites to look out for are SCA garage sales, garb swaps, or people offering to pass along garb they no longer use! If you need help making garb, consider attending our monthly Garb Workday! nside Here you can get information on how to pattern nearly any outfit you'd like to wear, tips on the best fabrics for your outfit, and literally, pull your outfit together! Sewing machines and large tables will be available for your use.

Feastware - If you are going to eat at "feast" (a "formal" SCA meal -- not a lunch tavern), you will likely need your own plate and cutlery. Gold Key also contains loaner feastware for new members. In the SCA, you are expected to bring your own place setting for feasts. This means individual groups do not have to purchase and store hundreds of place settings in order to host an event feast.

To Arrange a Gold Key Loan, please contact the Cynnabar Chatelaine in advance of an event. It is best NOT to assume that God Key will be at every event. We do make an attempt to bring some in order to accommodate "walk-ins." We don't want you to be disappointed!

To secure your Gold Key loan, please email the Chatelaine with the following informtion:

Modern Name:
SCA Name: If already chosen!
Name of event attending:
Phone number:
Garb: (Please include the item number rather than name so we can make sure we have the correct garment.)

Gold Key Items for Loan (Main Collection):
Note on Sizing: Sleeve length measurements given here are from the center point where your neck meets your shoulders down to your wrist.
Note on Photos: Garb posted here are either from a hanger or a dress form. Please note that the garment will likely look different on you than it does in these pictures! Click a picture to see a larger image.

Gold Surcoat
Gold brocade surcoat with a black beaded neckline
Gold satin tunic

Underdress:
Chest: 34"-40"
Waist: Size 5-7
Sleeves: Bell
Skirt Bottom: Tall

Surcoat:
Length: Tall
Chest: one size fits most
Waist: roomy

Approx. size: Small

Status: Available for loan.

Pink Dress
Pink cotton sleeveless dress
White cotton chemise
Length: Tall
Chest: 42"-46"

Approx. size: Large (16-18)

Status: Available for loan.

Cornflower Blue Cotton Tunic Dress
Heavyweight cotton flannel
Floral trim on upper arm and wrist
Length: 54"
Chest: 44"
Waist: 48"
Skirt Bottom: 106"
Sleeves: 38"
Bicep: 11"
Wrist: 8"

Approx. size: Small

Status: Available for loan.

Green Fleur-De-Lis Dress
Lightweight cotton
Silver fleur-de-lis buttons down the front
Length: 53"
Chest: 48"
Waist: 50"
Skirt Bottom: 82"
Sleeves: 32"
Bicep: 17"
Wrist: 9"

Approx. size: Large

Notes: Buttons are functional.

Status: Available for loan.

Royal Blue Beaded Dress
Silk-like fabric lined with cotton
Blue, green, and white beading around neckline and wrists
Length: 45"
Chest: 42"
Waist: 47"
Skirt Bottom: 108"
Sleeves: 31"
Bicep: 18"
Wrist: 10"

Approx. size: Large

Notes: Beading is lovely! Length is short, however, and may want to wear a skirt, loose pants, or leggings beneath it.

Status: Available for loan.

Purple and Blue Sideless Surcoat
Lightweight wool-like fabric
Handstitched burgundy ribbon around sides
Length: 61"
Hips: 64"
Skirt Bottom: 96"
Approx. size: Large/Tall

Notes: Intended for a tall person (probably at least 5'9 or taller). You could hem it if you wished, so long as you unstitched the hemming before returning it. Also note that a tunic, underdress, or very long shirt of some sort (such as this) would need to be worn beneath this surcoat.

Status: Available for loan.

Plum Tunic
Silk-like fabric
Ivory, green, and plum trim around sleeves
Length: 58"
Chest: 56"
Waist: 58"
Tunic Bottom: 120"
Sleeves: 31"
Bicep: 16"
Wrist: 11"

Approx. size: Large/Extra Large

Notes: Unisex

Status: Available for loan.

Green and Blue Tunic
Mediumweight cotton canvas
Aqua blue trim around neck
Length: 50"
Chest: 60"
Waist: 68"
Sleeves: 28" / Bicep: 26"
Notes: Decorative stitching around blue trim.

Approx. size: Extra Large

Status: Available for loan.

Red, White, and Black Tunic
Lightweight cotton
Black and white checkered trim around neckline. Cynnabar colors!
Length: 51"
Chest: 50"
Waist: 52"
Sleeves: 26"
Bicep: 17"

Notes: We have two of these tunics.

Approx. size: Large

Status: Available for loan.

Child's Orange-Red Tunic
Lightweight linen
An orangey-red, very period!
Length: 22"
Chest: 35"
Waist: 39"
Sleeves: 23"
Bicep: 12"

Notes: Made for a 7-year-old, but would probably fit kids ages 4-8.

Approx. size: Child Small/Medium

Status: Available for loan.

Belts
Leather

Black Flower Belt (left): 61" long x 1" wide
Thin Brown Belt (middle): 51" long x 1" wide
Wide Black Belt (right): 59" long x 1 3/4" wide

Status: Available for loan.

Feast Ware
Wood

Plate and bowl. Cutlery also available to go along with it.

Status: Available for loan.

Note: Other items available but not yet photographed/cataloged:
- White cotton shirt with small ruffled collar
- Yellow striped pants
- White cotton pants
- Black and yellow tunic

Gold Key (Storage Collection) - The items pictured below are NOT brought to Cynnabar events. I don't intend to catalog these items unless they are requested, at which point I'll retrieve them from storage and measure them. Feel free to request something! Click an image to see it in a larger size.