Gambeson Vest "Dark Star"

Women's Padded Vest with leather lacing and cotton lining

Do you feel like your kit is missing something? Are you sick of your armor rubbing, and feel like you need another layer underneath it? A gambeson vest is a great way to get some basic padding, and look fantastic at the same time! It is a great base layer, and can be used both as clothing and armor. We are passionate about making armor and clothing that is both functional and beautiful, and have put extra work into making this the ideal gambeson for women. We have adapted our usual gambeson pattern to create something new altogether, which perfectly fits the female body.

This vest is high necked, meaning it works very well underneath a gorget or mail standard and will prevent any chafing of armor against your neck. It is sleeveless, stopping at your shoulders, and going down to just below your hips, similar to gambesons from the XIV-XV century. We were very inspired by this time period when drafting the pattern for this gambeson, as all of the padded jackets were tightly fitted and handsome, yet still fit well under armor. It tapers in at your waist, and from the waist seam flares out again to cover your hips. There is a bit of overlap in the middle to ensure you’re completely covered when you do up the lacing. The gambeson is lightly padded with natural batting and has been quilted in a very deliberate pattern to flatter your figure, including curved patterns around your bust, and horizontal leading out from your waist. There are also arming points on the shoulders of the vest to assist you in lacing your pauldrons or other armor.

Wool is the ideal fabric for this design, as it is strong, natural, and has a lovely texture to it. It is great for cooler climates, but still remains breathable and a great choice in any environment. We have lined the gambeson with contrasting cotton, a strong, reliable fabric that still allows some breathability but also offers added structure to the garment. All of the borders of the vest, including the middle split, the bottom, the collar and the sleeves, have been edged in this contrasting fabric. The gambeson does up with the help of lacing that you tie together at the front, reinforced by embossed leather patches to make sure they don’t rip through the fabric. Every detail of this gambeson has been finely constructed, including fine finishing and welted flat seams for comfort.

While this vest is amazing, it really goes best when combined with one of our gambeson arms. The arms are also lightly padded and well fitted, and come in a variety of fabrics, including canvas, linen, cotton, and of course, wool. It’s up to you how you combine them!

To check how to measure yourself please click here.

Please contact us if you have any additional questions.