My opinions on this particular subject are an amalgam of several different genre.
I look at there being many ranger archtypes and they all stem from different time periods in history. so lat us say that on this forum two main individuals stand out as the pattern to follow.
Strider-(pre revalation to the world as Aragorn) Chieftan of the Dunadainic Rangers
Farimir- Son of Denathor, brother to Boromir and captain of the Gondorian Rangers based in Ithilian.
We know from book and movie that these rangers had a style based loosly on the Archer/Yoeman class of the time periods in mideaval society of around the 12 to the 15th century. This would also cover the literary scene of say Robin Hood/Ivanhoe to the Black arrow and such.
So from the inside out:
Breas or other similer undergarments normally made of linen or wool or a mixture refered to as linsey woolsy later on. Socks, hose or hosen, leggins/tights or trousers (pants) may have been worn over these and made of the same materials (though if you are fond of some of the other fantasy materials for them some take a liking to this rustic leathers)
An under tunic or light shirt may be short sleeved if an outer tunic is also to be used. or long sleeved to poke out from a long sleeved or three quarter sleeved outer tunic or kertle.
Then it broadens a bit.
Jerkin, Gambesan, heavy tunic or coat, depending on climate. possibly a vest, any of these outers can be linen,wool, fleece, leather/suede ect.
A hood or cloak was almost universal and covered time periods from the dark ages to the rennaisance. Hats of several different types and styles may be applied from the viking types of wool and fur to the felt or leather hats with plumes (according to many tolkien Artists). So many types it's had to be specific.
Remember to select colors that meld with your envirement and season, all manner of browns, greys and greens are appropriate, and dont forget some of those seasonal colors like mustard and pumpkin and lighter greens.
I would stay away from white even in snowy winter as a true white is rarely natural and always attracts attention. Off-whites, creams and greys work better.
Clothing belts are normally thin, weapon belts and Baldrics thick to support weight and distribute by greater surface area the weight you are putting on them. Black, browns, dark reds and greens are always great for leather belts and accesories.
Boots vary in the tales from the later period tall boots to the more common shorter variety to shoes like the turnshoe. many who would wear lover shoes would wear the waningas/putties that we would call leg wraps and were nothing but longe wrappings of cloth theat circled the leg from anckle to knee. Then hooked or tied up with crossed straps to secure them.
That's all pretty basic. You can get ino armors and such but remember that a ranger values freedom of movement, speed and stealth over durability and defence (unless you are a fat old dwarf like me) so if you wear it make sure it is as light quiet and subdued as the rest of your kit.
That is as complete as I can be at this time of night on what to wear. I am sure there are a lot of other styles and preferences and I am sure you will get many from this forum!
As a rare Dwarven ranger I keep mostly to these guidlines but inject a Norse flair and my vues of decoration are a bit more toward the intricacy of embelishment. To a dwarf, if it is worth making, it is worth decoration artistically as long as it does not lessen it's utility to show pride in craftsmanship.
Hobbits and Elves may also have variable racial proclivities.
You may also want to be creative as to where you are where you were, and who you may have traded with or have been rewarded with and by whom.
Lots of choices for rangers, no uniform these were free men, rugged individuals, serving a cause but living life by their own code, their dress code would, in my opinion, have reflected that.
). So I know there are tunics, jerkins etc... but I need to get a good idea of just what I need to be appropriately clothed. Keep in mind that not all of us have a background in medieval reenactment. I've never reenacted anything earlier than American Civ War. I understand that there are going to be different answers due to climate and so forth. That's okay, the information will help others that aren't in as moderate a climate as North Carolina. So, give me a rundown of what you believe - historically or from Tolkein's works or a mixture of both - a ranger should be wearing. I'm not concerned about weapons and such; that's covered in another subforum. I'm concerned with how a ranger is clothing him/herself.
