Outer tunic: Woven cotton material, akin to a modern t-shirt but rougher. The colour scheme comes from my intention to make the castle guards more like (to use a modern frame of reference) community support officers rather than policemen, by which I mean they are chiefly not employed as defenders of the realm and warriors, but rather a visible source of support for residents of the walled city. Because of this I have chosen the Medieval equivilant to high-visibility clothing, a bright orange and yellow colour scheme. This would mean that the castle guards were easily spotted from a distance to act as a deterant to foe, and as support for citizens, especially at night where their position along the walls could be guaged with ease.
Under-garment: Thick hessian like material, stuffed with straw. Being on watch all night is a chilly affair, especially during the winter. Hence it makes perfect sense that the guards need to keep as warm as possible by means of a thick undergarment which insulates and keeps their body heat in (at least as much as possible with Medieval materials and methods). Think itchy pajamas.
Wrapped twine: Crudely woven thread. Being stuffed full of straw as it is, the undergarment needs to be sealed at the wrists and ankles to keep the straw in. Further, the tightly interwoven twine compacts the straw, providing improved insulation.
Rope belt: Thick rope. Used as a makeshift belt to keep the long tunic held up about the waist and prevent flapping. Similarly keeps the trousers up. Wound round the waist a single time and knotted at the front/side.
Trousers: Woven cotton material, brown. Trousers that are semi-ill fitting and somewhat worn They are also too short. Worn on top of the under-garment and beneath the tunic. Typical peasant-wear, practical and simple.
Sack shoes: Formed from hessian sacking. Stitched to form the shape. Simple shoes, offer little in the way of foot protection but moreso than barefoot. Easily worn, most notably on the soles and heels.
The choice of this costume is meant to portray an amalgamation of both peasantry, and the uniform in service of the king. Being only very newly employed, I like to think that the night-guard has yet to receive his full uniform. He has been presented with the mandatory high-visibility tunic but has had to further makedo with only his typical peasant day attire in conjuntion. This then is just cause for his desire to stay warm, wearing as he is only meagre and thinly woven clothes.
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