in the Shadow of Greatness

Rebma is a special case. Rebmans are expected to cover up when visiting Amber, and if they don't, they get stared at with impunity. As a rule Rebman men and women don't like the staring, so they make concessions and cover up.

Rebmans make folks crazy with how they dress to thrill, and then are so choosy about their sexual escapades.

Generally, Amber fashion permits women uncovered:

• ankles
  
• hands to above elbows
  
• heads (not wise in summer)
  
• top of shoulders (back of neck considered risque)
  
• breast cleavage (particularly flesh pushed up, not fabric pulled down)

• hands to shoulders
  
• heads (not wise in summer)
  
• legs (fully, if in hose, to knees if kilted)
  
• neck cleavage (nape, collarbone, back of neck all fine)

Sailors do it. Everyone knows what kind of women go to sea.

Actresses will sometimes do this in theater—particularly the complex comedies. It is considered halfway between shocking and 'good fun' depending on the actress' skill.

The cut of anyone's "best clothes" will probably restrict their mobility, labor, and climbing skill. Generally, best clothes are better made, so rough treatment might still preserve the clothing.

Corsets and other 'tricks and tools' designed to emulate the figures of royal family are a minor influence in formal wear. Buying extra layers of beautiful things is an affectation of the wealthy. (Since the wealthy also have the heftier waistlines, there is some reason for expensive corsets and binders as a fashion.)

Military units and ranks are extremely fussy and clearly distinctive in their clothing. You can tell regular army, from rangers, from castle guard, from the Thorn Battalion, if you know what you're looking for.

Some swords, daggers, etc. are obvious fashion accessories.

The truth is, that if the royals weren't usually sticking to the rules, those rules wouldn't exist for very long. Even so, there are folks in the family that want to stand out with their clothes.

Or can't help themselves and must preen. You can imagine what most of the family think of that type.

Yet Bleys could probably get it back in fashion all by himself, if he chose to.

Only conservative men reflect conservative fashion. Same for women.

It is considered proper to wear some underwear across the classes and degrees of nobility. It's a fact that many find this the practical thing to do. Hence there is common drawstring underwear easily purchased—one size fits all.

But that is just the start of variety when it comes to underwear. Young folks love to experiment. Conforming to appearance doesn't include what you have on underneath.

Older women tend to try the tight-laced things to help them look firmly put together. Shock!—Older men do the same thing. Amber is a healthy culture, not obsessed with youth—though there is that dark side to the immortality of the royals, but folks are concerned about health. The poor and the wealthy share in common the desire to look fit.

Knickers are popular. Also Tap pants. Or just a long chemise. Underwear is usually about the bottoms, not the tops.

Generally wearing no underthings at all means you are either clueless to fashion, willfully ignoring convention, or a randy thing looking for your next conquest. Royals fall to all these extremes at various times.

They also keep the rules.