Roman haberdashery and DIY
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What are Roman haberdashery items – and what does the term ‘DIY’ mean?
In historical craftsmanship, haberdashery refers to all those small parts required for the completion of equipment, belts or clothing – in other words, not fabrics or finished garments, but fittings, buckles, rivets and end clasps. In the Roman context, these include, for example, belt buckles for the cingulum, phalerae for armour or mountings for the pugio. The term DIY stands for ‘Do It Yourself’ and simply means making things yourself. In Roman reenactment, it describes the approach of assembling belts, cingula or armour details yourself and fitting them with historically accurate fittings, rather than relying on a ready-made complete set.
The DIY principle is widespread in the reenactment scene for good reasons: the individual fit of a belt made to measure cannot be bought. Anyone who cuts their leather strap to size themselves and then fits it with fittings achieves a result that looks more convincing, both visually and historically, than many mass-produced items. Added to this is the economic aspect – starting out with individual fittings is cheaper than buying a complete set. In this category you will find phalerae, Roman belt buckles, end clasps, pugio hangers and belt tips made of brass and tin-plated brass, modelled on archaeological originals.
Roman phalerae: symbols of honour and their motifs
A phalera (plural: phalerae) is a round metal disc that was awarded in the Roman military as a decoration for deserving soldiers. Archaeological finds – including the famous phalera set from the Lahn-Dill district in Hesse – show that these discs were worn on armour and attached to horse harness. In this category, the motifs reflect important symbolism of the Roman military:
- Gorgon Medusa: This apotropaic protective symbol was intended to ward off evil spirits and enemies – a standard motif on armour, shields and fittings.
- Alexander the Great: The image of Alexander on phalerae refers to the Hellenistic cult of the ruler, which had a lasting influence on Roman military culture.
- Eagle: The legionary eagle (Aquila) was the most important standard of the Roman army. As a Phalera motif, it symbolises strength and loyalty to the legion.
- Horse: The trotting horse motif is primarily associated with cavalry and is frequently found on horse harness fittings.
Depending on the material, the phalerae differ in their colour effect: brass produces a warm golden hue, whilst tin-plated brass has a silvery, cooler appearance. Both versions are historically verifiable – the choice depends on the intended representation and personal taste. In addition to being used on armour, phalerae are also suitable for constructing a replica of a horse harness, for dioramas or as wall decorations.
Build your own Roman cingulum – step by step
The cingulum is the characteristic military belt of the Roman soldier, recognisable by the hanging decorative straps with metal fittings and end clasps. To make your own DIY cingulum, you will need the following components from this category:
- Belt buckle (e.g. Mainz type): The fastening of the belt, cast from brass – one of the most frequently attested buckle models from the 1st–3rd centuries.
- Belt tip incl. rivets: The decorative element at the end of the strap that finishes off the belt.
- End fitting: Attached to the end of the main strap, it ensures a neat finish.
- Decorative end clips: On the hanging decorative straps, which characterise the typical appearance of the cingulum.
Assembly follows a logical sequence: first cut the cowhide leather straps to the required width and length, then attach the buckle to the upper end, stud the strap with rivets, attach the decorative straps and fit the end clasps. For the straps of the hanging decorative fringes, cut narrower strips (approx. 15–20 mm) from the same leather. For a complete DIY cingulum using the fittings in this category, you should expect material costs of around €33–55. You can find suitable leather straps for medieval belts in a separate category in the shop.
What types of fittings are there – and what do archaeological finds tell us?
Belt buckles are the functional heart of every belt: they fasten the strap and hold the entire outfit together. In the Roman military, they were cast from bronze or brass, often with characteristic frame shapes. The Mainz type is one of the best archaeologically attested buckle forms and originates from finds in Germanic forts dating from the 1st–2nd centuries. It is part of the complete belt buckle set in this category (including end fittings and rivets, approx. €33).
Belt tips are attached to the free end of the leather strap and serve primarily a decorative function. End fittings fulfil a similar role, but are often more solidly crafted and provide additional protection for the leather against wear. Both types are well represented in archaeological hoards and often represent the most affordable introduction to DIY metalwork – from approx. €10.92 in this category.
Phalerae are round decorative and insignia discs that were used on armour, horse harness or as decorative trimmings. They are attached via eyelets or leather strips on the reverse. Particularly well-known in archaeological circles is the find from Lauersfort (Lower Rhine), which contains an almost complete set of such discs featuring figurative depictions.
Rivets are the fastening method par excellence: they secure fittings to a leather base and were made of bronze, brass or iron in antiquity. In Roman reenactment, round brass rivets are the most common. Several products in this category (e.g. belt buckle set, belt tip) already include the rivets – saving you an extra step in the ordering process.
The Romans carried the pugio (dagger) on a special suspension system attached to their belt, consisting of two rings or rails that secured the weapon in place. The brass pugio suspension system available in this category is supplied as a pair and is based on original finds from fort excavations. Over the course of the Imperial period, the Romans developed a highly specialised metalworking craft – bronze casting, repoussé work and tin plating were among the common techniques, which were also used for fittings.
Brass or tin-plated brass – which material is historically accurate?
- Copper-zinc alloy with a warm golden hue
- Typical of Republican and early Imperial finds
- Tarnishes slightly over time – enhances visual authenticity
- Can be maintained and brightened with brass polish
- Suitable for depictions up to approx. the 3rd century AD
- Brass with a tin coating, cool silvery sheen
- Frequently found on late Roman and military artefacts
- More sensitive to abrasives – clean gently
- Do not polish aggressively, as the tin coating may wear away
- Particularly suitable for late Roman re-enactments from the 3rd century onwards
Those who value an historically accurate representation should choose the material based on the intended time period. For many LARP and re-enactment scenarios, this distinction plays a secondary role – here, visual impression often takes precedence. Both variants are available in this category and can be combined effectively, for example when a gold buckle meets silver phalerae – a combination well-documented in history.
Assemble Roman equipment by price range
A single end fitting or belt tip including rivets (from €10.92) is the ideal first accessory for an existing belt. If you have a plain leather strap, you can upgrade it with these parts without having to dig deep into your pockets. Perfect for making a first impression at a Roman camp.
A phalera with an iconic motif (eagle, Medusa, horse – from €21), a pair of pugio hangers (€21) or a single Mainz-style belt buckle (€21) form the centrepiece of a first complete cingulum assembly. This price range is the right choice for anyone looking to significantly upgrade their Roman look.
The complete belt buckle set, including buckle, end fittings and rivets (€33.61), saves you from having to place individual orders and provides everything you need for a neatly fitted cingulum. The large Gorgon phalera made of tin-plated brass (€54.61) is the highlight of the category – an expressive showpiece phalera in museum-quality replica. A sensible strategy: choose an affordable strap, invest in a high-quality, eye-catching phalera.
Good to know before buying
From individual belt tips to complete phalera sets – the fittings in this category allow you to design your own Roman costume and refine it step by step. Browse through the range and build your cingulum to suit the period and your budget.
Frequently asked questions
The cingulum is the characteristic military belt of the Roman soldier, featuring hanging decorative straps. For a DIY build, you will need at least one belt buckle (e.g. Mainz type), a belt tip with rivets, and decorative end clasps for the decorative straps. A complete set including a buckle, end fitting and rivets is available from around €33 and covers all the essential components.
A phalera is a round metal disc that served as a decoration for distinguished soldiers in the Roman army and was worn on armour or horse tack. Typical motifs include the Gorgon Medusa, Alexander the Great, the legionary eagle or a trotting horse. Archaeological finds confirm their widespread use in the Roman army from the 1st to the 4th century AD.
Both materials are historically attested: brass (gold-coloured) is frequently found in Republican and early Imperial finds, whilst tin-plated brass (silver-coloured) is more typical of late Roman military equipment from the 3rd century onwards. For an accurate period representation, it is worth choosing the material according to the intended time period; for LARP and re-enactment, the visual impression is usually the deciding factor.
Most belt tips, buckles and end clips in this category are designed for standard strap widths of 30 to 40 mm. We recommend measuring your leather strap before purchasing and checking the product descriptions against the specified strap width. You can also find suitable leather straps in the Vehi Mercatus range.
Yes, phalerae and fittings from this category are also suitable for dioramas, museum models or as wall decorations. The phalerae can be flexibly attached using their eyelets or leather straps. As the replicas are based on archaeological originals, they look authentic and rich in detail even outside of re-enactment contexts.