Fashion in the 10 Realms

People throughout the 10 Realms wear many different styles of **clothing and accessories**, depending on the Realm they inhabit, Nation from which they hail and their social status. Styles range from the humble attire worn by the Cloud Kingdom monks to the elaborate robes worn by the Dragon Emperor.

A notable fact of fashion in general is that each nation wears the color that symbolizes their native colors, for example: The upper class of Zion dress in white, gray, and gold; the people of the North and South Poles wear blue, purple, and white clothing; the people of Azaria wear brown, yellow, and green attire; the Angels of the Realm of Light and Dark wear pure white robes with golden sashes; and the people of Ivoira wear various hues of white, gold, black, cyan, and brown.

## Empire of Zion

More than anywhere else in the Empire of Zion, Zion demonstrates how fashion can reflect social status. The city is divided into three different socioeconomic rings, each housing people of specific classes and backgrounds, so there are great variations in attire. Generally, however, lower class citizens wear darker colors, while the middle and higher classes wear lighter colors.

### Workers and Farmers

Workers and Farmers tend to wear fairly simple clothing, but even within this strata, styles can vary significantly depending on physical location, specific economic status, and occupation of the wearer. In rural or poverty ridden areas, clothing tends to be more basic in design and not as brightly colored, as well as display more visible wear and tear. A prime example of this is are the more rural villages, where many of the people earn their living by fishing and extreme poverty engulfed the town prior. In more cosmopolitan areas, such as the city of Zion, clothing becomes more layered and elaborate and is typically kept in better condition. It is also typically colored in brighter shades of red, brown, and gold.

#### Hair

Hair is not usually styled by Workers. Women tie their hair back or style it in some form of bun though not to an extravagant degree, and men almost universally wear hair buns. Although many wear hair buns, some don't wear any extra hair. Some exceptions can be found, however, due to the large number of refugees from other parts of the Empire that have settled in the Agrarian Zone.

### School uniforms

Private schools follow strict uniform guidelines: Private Schools have a uniform consisting of brown pants for boys and a brown skirt for girls, a shirt, a black and green vest, and a yellow sash marked with the school's logo. The school also had a policy against wearing head coverings indoors, though exceptions were allowed in certain circumstances.

### Swimwear

As with all Zion clothing, the style is linked back to their native colors and possibly decorated with the respective's nation's insignia. Two-piece bikinis are popular with female Zion citizens, ranging in coloration from various shades of red to plain white with red details

### Middle Class

Middle Class clothing is fashioned in more elaborate styles, usually in lighter shades of green. Women wear dresses accented with gold and yellow, and men sport more extravagant tunics.

#### Hair

Suburban families are adequately secure, financially. Therefore, men can afford to braid their hair or pull it back in a top-knot, often wrapped with a green band. Women too have more elaborate and decorated hairdos.

### Nobles

Due to the great wealth of the Noble class, its inhabitants wear the most extravagant styles of all. Their clothing is fashioned in various shades of light green with gold trimmings, worked into elaborate designs and patterns. Women wear full-length dresses, and men longer and more heavily embroidered tunics.

#### Accessories and cosmetics

Women in the Noble class are often seen with accessories, such as elaborate headpieces, often gold-colored and adorned with flowers, dark green fans bordered with gold in a wooden frame, and chartreuse parasols made of a similar wood. Higher class women also wear cosmetics, varying from applying white powder as foundation, to accentuating their cheeks with pink or red blush, and wearing variously colored eyeshadows.

#### Hair

Women in the Noble Class typically sport an elaborate hairstyle known as a *qitou*. The hair is worn long, often with bangs, and collected in a bun at the base of the neck. Generally, the most noticeable feature of this hairstyle is the large hairpiece, the shape of which can range from thin and straight to broad and fan-shaped. This hairpiece is usually accessorized with beads, pins, tassels, and large fresh flowers.

#### Dragon Emperor/Empress

The Dragon Emperor is the ruler of the Empire of Zion. He wears an ornate robe as a sign of his power and rank. The shape of his robes is quite distinctive, with spiked shoulders akin to Thai theatrical costumes, which aids in making the Dragon Emperor look powerful and imposing. In addition to his unique robes, he also wears the Dragon Crown on specific occasions, a crown mirroring the imperial crown of the Second Mexican Empire. Dragon Empress Victoria wore a long yellow one piece skirt which had a green overcoat, as well as colorful and golden jewelry.

#### Headpieces

Headpieces are worn by many people in the world to adorn their otherwise bare top-knots. These headpieces range from the humble headpieces worn by normal citizens to the golden two-pronged headpiece worn by the Dragon Emperor on some occasions, which resembles ancient Chinese fashion. Zion citizens often wear decorative headpieces in their top-knots. The headpieces are only decorative, however, and are in no way a rank of royalty.

Dragon Emperor Crown

The Dragon Emperor's Crown is an ancient royal artifact of the Empire of Zion, meant to be worn by the Dragon Emperor, the ruler of the nation. It is a three-pronged headpiece trimmed with red and gold. On top of the crown, however, it sports a golden dragon that is held together by the top-knot. The royal headpiece has been passed down for many generations of the nation's history from each Emperor to the next. The Sages initiate the crowning ceremony. The crown has been worn by at least all of the Emperors: Elkan, Elkan II, Ellowyn, George I, Andrew, Dragases, and Anthony.