Merovingian clothing

Where to start.

1. I recently discovered "my" colors, shades that really look good on me.  I wanted to refresh my garb wardrobe a little, to try and reflect this.
2. When I started in the SCA, I mostly wore shirts and pants.  I didn't want to be a noble lady, I wanted to be a swashbuckling adventurer.  I've received confirmation from  multiple sources that, when I do wear shirts and pants, I seem more myself.
   1. Masculine garb could be an option, but I also loves me my jewelry.
   2. Neo-Celtic was really big in the barony I joined in the 90s, and I retain an affection for plaids worn with a ton of amber.  But see #3 below.
3. I wrestle with "the only thing required is AN ATTEMPT at pre-17th cen clothing" and "when you know better, do better." 
   1. I don't judge people whose SCA interests are not clothes-related, and who buy something plausible from a merchant and call it a day
   2. But I also appreciate how far we've come in improving our costuming
4. I have a LOT of gear suitable for a 6th/7th century lady of Kent, which just so happens to be fairly close to the gear needed for a lady of the Merovingian Empire.
5. Reconstructions of Merovingian (noble) women's dress vary, but the presence of ornate buckles on the feet and mid-shins have led some archaeologists to reconstruct their gowns as calf-length, and worn with linen hose or leg coverings.  These may not be the best or most recent reconstructions, but I see European re-enactors sporting the look.

So my current plan is to use some of the fabric in my stash to make a calf-length tunic, and pair it either with one of my three existing caftans, or else I have some wool (in one of "my" colors... ish, the monitor lied to me somewhat) to make a second winter-weight one that fits better than the diamond twill.  (The fabric on that one is spectacular, but the cut and fit... not so much.)  I'll wear it either with gartered trousers or knee hose and see how I like the look.

I have some linen in a 'natural' shade that's cooler than I'd ideally like, but I think it'll be okay.  I have a silk tie with geometric patterns that I scored at a thrift store a while back - I think I may use it for edging the neck and cuffs, if I can turn it into enough bias tape for the job.

If I like the look, I can take it further:

Suvia's LJ post on extant garments

Suvia's blog with her Arnegunde reconstruction

A reconstruction of royal tablet-woven bands

Pictures from a trip to the museum where the Chelles relics are kept

Close-up photo of the silk from Bertille's burial gown. More pre-1000 textiles including the Bathild embroidery.  Home page of photographer.

Tablet-weaving pattern for the bands on Bertille's gown.

The utter ridiculousness of the measurements of Le Grand Robe

A recent paper on Merovingian graves and reconstructions (in French)

SCA paper on Merovingian dress, requires login

20-year old chapter from the Met on Merovingian brooches

1997 paper on... I don't know, it's in German, but the pictures are of reconstructions

From the Grez office of tourism, information on their necropolis and the Lady of Grez (in French)

SCA paper on the Princess of Zweeloo, sign in required