Faunid Clothing
As with most aspects of Faunid culture, clothesmaking is heavily centered around Atalav’s trade and barter systems.
Regional differences in clothing and accessories come down to what local resources are available, and which nearby areas are available for trade.
As trade routes between Atalav’s many cities improved, so did the lines between regional clothing begin to blur. However, there are still long-standing trends in garmentmaking that can be traced to pre-trading Faunid history.
Nowadays, Faunid clothing is more experimentative than ever, and many Faunids have devoted themselves to the craft, discovering new techniques each passing year.
Faunid Outfits
Because Faunids have natural insulation, not all of them wear clothes, but there is still a wide and vibrant culture surrounding garments in Atalav.
The clothesmaking process adheres to the ethics of Faunid society, including not harming other living creatures nor the natural environment. As a result, Faunid clothes tend to be lightly colored through natural dyes (such as plants), and with simple patterning that is easy to replicate for any Faunid using wooden stamps or brushes, with minimal sewing and fabric use.
Form and function commonly go hand in hand so that Faunids can wear their clothes while completing chores.
Coastal-dwelling Faunids are also known to trade with Merfauns for items such as shells and algae to repurpose into clothing dye, trim, and similar!
Minodae Clothing
Minodae, who typically reside in the northern regions of Atalav, developed clothing that is much better suited for harsh weathers than the warm, southern plains.
Leathers and furs acquired from animals who have passed naturally are incorporated into most clothing for additional warmth. These clothes, like elsewhere, value practicality over extravagance, but are more customizable than other Faunid clothing since resources are more scarce in the north.
Gloves and capes are staple items for any Minodae.
Sometimes you are able to tell where a Minodae has traded based on the accessories and fabrics they’ve used!
Minodae clothing around the borders of northern Atalav tend to be more colorful due to a greater frequency of trade between Minodae and other Faunids.
Corrupt Clothing
Corrupts, who have an alternative relationship with the ethics that otherwise guide Faunidae society, tend to deck themselves out in outfits that honor their prowess. This includes leathers and furs obtained through more violent means, as well as a range of metal, bone, and stolen accessories.
Since trading between corrupt and non-corrupt Faunids is, at best, rare, there’s less overlap in style (especially when it comes to decor) between these two parts of Faunid society. Instead, corrupts will trade in smaller groups among themselves, or exchange trophy items after fighting as part of their community-building rituals.
Some of these trophies may come from non-corrupt societies, whose influence then makes its way into corrupt clothing trends. Corrupt clothes also serve as armor and defense, as many corrupts are involved in frequent skirmishes and fights. Leather is frequently repurposed into collars to protect the throat, or pads to hide particularly vulnerable parts of the body. And, while most corrupt clothing exists for protection, it is still a means for corrupts to express individuality, history, and personal preferences.
In-World Examples
Kestrel has a farm with his friend Sputnik, where they grow corn and melons.
This means his outfit is designed to fit working outdoors in any weather conditions!
He wears a hood to shield his face from the sun and wind, and gloves to protect his hands while shucking corn.
His outfit has several pouches, which he fills with seeds and any other things he may need while working.
He wears tights so that there's no loose fabric to snag on plants or tools.
He has added a few details to his working clothes to make them more personal. For example, the embroidery and color fashioned into his hood was a gift from his sister, Laurel, who wanted to make something for him that was fashionable enough to wear in any occasion, not just work.
This Corrupted Faunid lives in Ghosgate and ‘scavenges’ from abandoned wagons.
He also associates with a group of Corrupt raiders that intercept promising caravans in search of goods they can repurpose.
His outfit is intimidating, with fur mimicking fierce predators such as the shadowcat: it may even be a true pelt.
This outfit is meant to evoke status, both as a leader and as a Corrupt who is unafraid to announce through his clothing that he does not shy from acquiring resources by taking lives.
He wears leather armor to protect himself and carries a battle axe as a weapon— it is his prized posession.
This Faunid lives along the Salmon Coast.
She scavenges materials on the shoreline to make into accessories and baubles.
She is a fashionista whose dress expresses her impressive craftsmanship, each element of her clothing handmade by her.
While it may be flashy, she also treasures practicality.
Her clothing can easily withstand a dip in the water, and the top skirt can be removed so that only her undergarment remains if she need to strip down while going offshore.
She uses the offerings in the environment around her to decorate, such as leaves, pearls, shells, sand dollars, driftwood, and wood crafted into beads.
Resources from animals that have passed ethically, etc. are allowed as a form of respect.