What Joan of Arc Actually Wore

I grew up watching the 1990’s Joan of Arc mini-series starring Leelee Sobieski. We had it on DVD and I would watch the whole series in one sitting with my dad (who claims we didn’t just watch it on her feast day but quite often due to my request for it when I was 8-10yrs old). I was a sensitive and scared child—but I wasn’t the least bit disturbed by the battle scenes and 30-min burning at the stake scene because I KNEW “WOW—she is about to go to heaven AND she keeps having visions of saints!” I connected that hard things make the opportunity for the supernatural work of God.

Suffering makes space for heavenly visions and conversations with the saints.

So—when discussing the garments of Joan of Arc—notice the beautiful juxtaposition of her life: her wrestling with pride and the surrender to grace, the chaotic mess of battle and soft voice of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the torture at the stake and Joan’s peaceful gaze upon the cross.

She was born into a family of farmers 1412, a time in which cotton and linen textiles were commonly worn among the working class. It is noted in her trial transcript that she learned how to sew linen. She would’ve likely worn an apron as practical for the women and simple blouse. Her garments would have allowed for ease of movement such as horseback riding.

Joan did not take up military attire to make a progressive point as much as it was her way of communicating a unity with the soldiers—that she was not among the soldiers as some female accessory or distraction. She wore “shirt, breeches, doublet, with hose joined together and fastened to the said doublet by 20 points, long leggings laced on the outside, a short mantle” (Trial of Condemnation of Joan of Arc).

Now, in a perfect world, Joan would’ve worn her usual farmer clothing but since we live in a fallen world prone to distraction and distortion—putting on military garb was a way of protecting her dignity as a woman in the case of being surrounded by soldiers. Not to mention—it is far easier to ride into battle wearing pants.

Her banner was crafted from linen cloth and fringed with silk. Some of her fellow soldiers had pennons made like hers, theirs crafted out of white satin with fleurs-de-lys.

When we get ready for the feast of this heroic woman, let us put on the posture of fearlessness as we wear metallic materials, a nod to her military attire and spiritual armor.

• Wear rough linen paired with a soft silk or satin with leather to parallel the juxtaposition in her story.

• Red vestments are worn on her feast day to reflect her martyrdom. Consider putting on leather pieces to emphasize her fierce bravery.

• Comfortable cotton garments might be worn to reflect her humility.

• White highlights her purity and gold for the fleurs-de-lys.

• Satin or silk textiles might also be worn as a nod to her favorite comfort in battle: her banner.