Huh

[stitchwhich]

I purchased two books about Mongolian clothing and while most of the information is about post-1600 wardrobes there is enough to make it worth the bucks I spent. I used all of my Giftmas money on one of them.

I learned something surprising. Mongols made their clothing from wool, woven or felted, silk, cotton, and leather. No linen. Not a single linen item was cited in either compilation of studies. How is that for weird? All of their woven fabrics were from outside of their tribes - they only made felted clothing or tanned leather. Fabric weaving was not a known art.

Comments

[danabren]

It makes sense, tho', when you think on it. Fascinating.

[stitchwhich]

But since they get all of their woven fabric via trade I do wonder what it was about linen that made it undesirable. It would be available in many of the same markets as cotton would be. Perhaps, because the Mongols neither bathed nor washed their clothing (I know, ew!) its absorbency "spread" the grease stains around too much.

[medievalbooks]

Wonder if flax was readily available. It would have taken them as long to weave and dye flax as it would have silk. They probably traded for the silk most likely tho. I can see them using leather and wool but trading for silk and cotton. Will have to check the book I have on Mongolian costume....tis late period as well

[stitchwhich]

Since they get their fabric from other nations/cultures, it wouldn't really matter if flax was available near them. They buy/trade for fabrics ready-woven and dyed.