Landsknecht

About

Landsknecht Clothing In the early 1500s, the Landsknecht mercenaries of the Holy Roman Empire became known for something unusual in military history - their clothing. Bright colors, slashed fabrics, puffed sleeves, and layered textures made them stand out on and off the battlefield. Today, this style is one of the most recognized looks in historical re-enactment, living history, and larp. Yoremade, by Epic Armoury, offers a complete range of Landsknecht clothing built around the silhouettes and details of the period between 1500 and 1600. Every piece is made for re-enactors, Larpers, and anyone building an accurate 16th century German mercenary kit. Dress Like a Landsknecht: Where to Start The starting point for any Landsknecht outfit is the doublet. In the 16th century, the doublet was the main upper-body garment for men across Europe, but the Landsknecht version had a character of its own. Our Landsknecht Doublet is sleeveless by design — a vest-style jacket with a low square neckline that frames the gathered linen shirt worn underneath. This layered look, where the shirt visibly billows at the chest and arms, is one of the most recognizable features of 16th century German mercenary fashion. Sleeves in this period were not sewn permanently into the doublet. Instead, they were attached separately using lacing points at the shoulders — a practical system that also allowed soldiers to mix and match colors and styles between the two pieces. Our collection follows this tradition, offering the Bloom Sleeves and Waterfall Sleeves as separate garments. The Bloom Sleeves give a full, rounded silhouette, while the Waterfall Sleeves have a longer, more dramatic drape. Both attach directly to the doublet, and combining different colors between the body and sleeves is not just acceptable — it is historically accurate. Slashed Fabric, Breeches, and the Landsknecht Silhouette Below the doublet, the Landsknecht silhouette was defined by volume. The breeches worn in this period we