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 Gold 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:
Note on Photos: The garb photographed below are items we had in the past and may not currently be available for loan. Please go to Cynnabar Gold Key to see our current inventory. 

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

Pink Dress Pink cotton sleeveless dress White cotton chemise Length: Tall Chest: 42"-46" Approx. size: Large (16-18)

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feast Ware Wood and metal place settings available for loan Plate and bowl. Cutlery also available to go along with it.

More examples of garb: