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The Fashions of Zalanthas: A Look at the Two Major Cities’ Fashions
and Smaller Cultures

In general, Zalanthan fashion shares similarities with Middle Eastern and North African styles. Zalanthas is a desert planet, comparable to some of Earth’s great deserts; temperatures commonly reach temperatures of 125 degrees Fahrenheit. There are, however, various environmental and cultural differences between Zalanthas and Earth that have shaped Zalanthan fashion into something unique.

One of the three major merchant houses, House Kadius is not only a mercantile concern, but also a political power. Moreover, they have the first and last word in fashion. Yet, as much as this house dictates fashion, fashion also dictates the way Kadius does business. What can be bought in Tuluk is not necessarily available in Allanak. Kadius can change fashion, but not tradition, and the aesthetics of each region are deeply ingrained in the hearts and minds of the populace. If a group comprised of both Northern and Southern people were to meet in middle, an observer would be able to recognize their original location simply studying their dress.

Allanak's Fashions

Allanak is a rigidly traditional society, and this has affected the city's trends in fashion throughout the years. For example, the modesty of one's attire is considered before comfort, despite the high temperatures citizens must deal with daily. Even among nobility, style is the priority. While the body may be covered almost entirely, Allanaki fashion can nonetheless be provocative. Less bare flesh, yet more of the wearer's figure, is revealed. Hemlines are low and collars are high. Arms are sometimes left bare, though the lower a garment’s neckline, the longer the sleeves.

Even among nobility, comfort is sacrificed for frivolity and whimsy. In fact, the more radical and hindering the style, the more successful its reception. For example, shoes that one could not possibly walk in demonstrate that a noble has sufficient resources for a carriage or palanquin. Likewise, sleeves whose cuffs extend past the fingertips do little to inconvenience someone accustomed to having all tasks performed by one's servants.

Despite the strong southern emphasis on modesty amongst commoners and flamboyancy amongst nobility, the intense heat of the desert is omnipresent, and concessions are necessary. Both nobles and commoners are equal in their struggle to stay as cool as possible. To this end, loosely woven and light fabrics worn in layers are utilized as daily wear to ward off the worst of the sun and sands. Many types of overgarments are worn in long layers, protecting the flesh from the harsh rays of sunlight and the pervasive heat.

Commoners often look to nobility for examples in most aspects of life, and fashion is no exception. The styles of commoner clothing available, while simpler and cheaper, often imitate that of nobles. For example, while nobles often wear ornately decorated silks and other lush fabrics, commoners wear cottons, sandcloth or other inexpensive textiles. Another difference in commoner attire is that it tends to be looser, more comfortable, and less hindering, in order to be practical for everyday use.

Some clothes unique to Allanak include wrapped pants, long tunics, Kalasiris, long kilts, and many types of over-garbs, often worn in layers, are also commonly seen in the South. Green, particularly pale green, is generally considered an unlucky color, due to its associations with sorcery, and blue is perceived as a particularly somber color, associated with mourning and tears. Leatherwear is thought somewhat lower class, reserved for guards, hunters and other plebian military types.

While the weather on Zalanthas is consistently hot and sandy all year round, fashion has its seasons. Frequently, the Kadian shops will change their selections in response to an event or whim. One month, purple might be the rage and the next everyone must have blue. However, the one staple of the Allanaki wardrobe is the color white. Trims may change, and colors may go in and out of style, but white is always in fashion.

Tuluk's Fashions

Tuluk’s slightly cooler atmospheric and social climate is reflected in its clothing. Soft lines, flashes of skin, and elaborate ornamentations characterize northern clothing. Styles are comfortable and at times revealing. The artistic community has made its mark on the rest of society, and fine, elaborate craftsmanship is prized.

Cotton, with its shine and ability to take dye, has become the dominant material in commoners’ clothing, while the secondary choice is linen, although those who can afford it will opt for silk. Clothes are decorated with bright floral or fauna patterns. Solid colors may be accented with elaborate stitchings. Both upper and lower classes appreciate lace of varying quality.

Typical items of Northern style include billowing pantaloons, low-cut shirts whose hems skim the waistline, and sarongs that show a flash of leg. Kilts and pteryges that leave the legs bare are also popular with men and women. Women’s dresses are often made from sheer panels that reveal the skin beneath. Overgarbs' materials are lighter, thinner, and layered, to catch every breeze as well as ward off the harsh heat.

Though, as a rule, the clothes are not as austere as their southern counterparts, the higher social circles see a greater degree of conservatism. Even the most risqué (noble or otherwise) would not run bare bottomed through the streets. A knee-length skirt is more likely to be worn with a short-sleeved shirt than a corset.

Other Cultures

Blackwing

These tribal elves tend to wear the sandcloth and leather look, and the females of this tribe wear may well be reckoned some of the sexiest on Zalanthas, particularly the bare midriff blouses and leather thongs many of the women affect. Generally, Blackwing work tends to lack ornamentation, save for embroidered scorpions, anakore, or other deadly desert creatures, except for that sold to outsiders, which does feature some beadwork and embroidery.

Cenyr

Clothing is often adorned with carved beads made of semi-precious stone or intricate blown glass, often marbled in exquisite colors made from mineral dyes gathered from the Red Desert.

Luirs

Luirs tends to have no set style, being a melange of practical nomadic wear. Generally leather and sandcloth are de rigeur, predominantly leather. Many of the Tablelands nomads who trade there wear batik, which they create with wezer wax. The fabric they produce is generally in shades of golds, browns and orange, and features patterns of desert creatures and cactus flowers.

Red Storm Village & Red Storm East

There is a noticeable lack of fashion in both villages. Constantly struggling with poverty and survival, the people of these village make do where they can. Clothes are passed around for years until they finally fall apart, and even when that occurs, uses for them can be found. Desert colors dominate. The style (or the lack thereof) usually consists of long layers in light colors.

Tan Muark

White and blue are favored colors of most Muark. Leather is often tooled. Ornamentation tends towards tasteful (or a reasonable approximation thereof) excess whenever possible. Clothes sold to non-Muarks tend to be flamboyant and showy.

Glossary of Fabrics, Clothes, and Styles

Fabrics