Gold Key
What Is It and How to Borrow It
SCA events require those attending to make some attempt at pre-17th Century dress. But what if you're new and don't have any period clothes? Gold Key is the answer! Gold Key is a collection of garb 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. The Barony of Cynnabar has a collection of garb for men and women. Our loaner garb varies in size and we should have something to fit most people.
Please Note: If you are looking for clothing for a noble persona, chances are you won't find it in Gold Key. But if you need something so you can attend your first few events, this would be the place to start. You can borrow from Gold Key while you are new to the SCA, but eventually you will be expected to acquire your own garb. Gold Key is a starting point for new members. If you need help making garb, consider attending our monthly Garb Workday!
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. While we make every attempt to bring the Gold Key collection to events, please don't assume it will be there unless we specifically say so -- we don't want you to be disappointed!
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 was photographed on a dressform so you can see it better than when it's on a hanger or lying flat, but it's still just one person's dressform and the garb will definitely look different on you! Click a picture to see a larger image.
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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. |
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Pink Dress Pink cotton sleeveless dress White cotton chemise Length: Tall Chest: 42"-46" Approx. size: Large (16-18) Status: Available for loan. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
