Landsknecht

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 were large, structured, and heavily decorated using a technique called slashing — known in German as Schlitze. This involved cutting parallel strips into the outer layer of fabric so the contrasting lining beneath could be pulled through, creating a puffed, two-tone effect across the entire garment.

Our Landsknecht Breeches are built using this method and capture the oversized, voluminous shape that makes this style so immediately recognizable. For those building a mi-parti kit — a historical practice where each leg was dressed in a different color — individual hose pieces are available separately, designed to tie directly to the belt or doublet.

The Hat, Shoes, and the Details That Complete the Kit

Landsknecht fashion extended from head to toe, and the details mattered as much as the main garments. The hat worn by Landsknecht soldiers is one of the most iconic pieces of 16th century European fashion. Wide-brimmed, flat, and often decorated with large feathers, it had a pinched or pleated crown that gave it a bold, structured silhouette — sometimes referred to today as a cartwheel or starfish hat. Our Landsknecht Hat follows this classic shape and is a natural finishing piece for any complete kit.

At the other end, footwear in this period had a very distinctive look. The fashion of the early 1500s favored a broad, rounded toe shape known as the cow-mouth style, and our Landsknecht Shoes are made in exactly this form. The uppers feature decorative slashing that ties them visually to the rest of the collection.

The Kampfrau: Women's Landsknecht Fashion

The Landsknecht armies were not made up of soldiers alone. The Kampfrau — women who traveled, worked, and lived alongside these mercenary groups — were a central part of this world, and their clothing reflected it. Dressed in a style that echoed the bold colors and layered fabrics of the men around them, the Kampfrau are an important part of the historical picture. Our Kampfrau Dress is designed around 16th century German women's fashion and is the right choice for anyone representing this role at a living history event or LARP.

Materials and Tailoring Standards

We organized the Landsknecht line by specific techniques and quality fabrics to help you build an authentic kit.

The Yoremade Advantage: Quality Landsknecht Garments

Why choose Yoremade, by Epic Armoury, for your gear? We know that 1500s tailoring is complex. We combine historical patterns with modern durability. We use brushed wool and strong stitching so your Landsknecht Doublet and breeches last during high-activity use.

By using wool felt for the Landsknecht Hat and structured canvas for the vests, we maintain the authentic Renaissance lines. We have done the research and structural work so you can wear a piece of history with pride.

Welcome to Yoremade: History to Wear.