Head Covering
During this period, it was considered rude or odd to appear in public without some form of head covering, unless one was too poor to afford such. The climate of Florida and theCaribbean also warrants head covering. lf possible, hats should look used and worn - dusty, stained, a hole or two (bullet for buccaneers?), perhaps. Hats should be made of natural materials (e.g., felt, wool, straw, etc.) and be dyed in dark colors or maintain their natural colors. Spanish - Broad-brimmed felt hat were almost universally worn. Such hats are available from:
Hatcrafters, Inc. (items #261,#64,#264)
Dirty Billy's Hats (item #C29)

“Sad" colors were the standard - black was preferred; dark gray, dark blue, dark brown were also used. Only the presidio's elite (e.g, the governor, garrison officers, etc.) could afford expensive, imported ostrich plumes for their hats. lf hat plumes were worn by most townsfolk, they would be from local birds (e:g., eagle, hawk, owl, turkey, egret, pelican, ibis, heron, cardinal, jay, etc.). Other wealthy men may have decorated their hats with clusters of looped, silk ribbons. Flowers and sprigs of greenery were also worn on hats by men of all classes. lf hatbands of cloth or leather were worn, they were usually of darker colors - black, dark gray, blue, brown, red, green, etc.). Please try to avoid cocked hats - those "pinned up" on one side. They were the exception, not the rule. Also, NO tricorn hats will be allowed - they didn't come into common use until the 1690's. Some townsfolk, such as farmers, fishermen, etc., would have worn broad-brimmed straw hats (the ancestor of the sombrero). These should also appear to be used and worn. Straw hats may have had a thong or strap to hold the hat on or let it hang down the back, similar to modern cowboy hats.
Such straw hats are available from:
Dirty Billy's Hats

The sailors who crewed St. Augustine's ships may have worn knitted caps. Again, dark or natural colors would be correct (gray, dark red, blue, green, etc.). 
Appropriate caps are available from:
Jas Townsend & Son
Syke's Sutlery

Christianized' natives would have worn the same head coverings as the town's Spanish inhabitants. Rural or pagan natives would most likely have continued to wear their traditional top-knot.

Slaves would have probably worn the same head coverings as the poorer Spaniards (e.g., straw hats, caps, possibly headscarves, etc. - see above). Colors would be the same as for the Spanish.

Buccaneers would have worn the same sort of hats as the Spaniards, though possibly in slightly brighter colors and in more eclectic styles. Again, they wore whatever they could loot or procure in pirate havens such as Providence or Port Royal. Broad-brimmed felt and straw hats would be common (see above), though Searle's crew would have noticeably worn more sailor's caps and headscarves (see above). Some of the buccaneer's head gear may have been ethnic - possibly feathers, etc., for Native American crewmen, bonnets for Scots, caps or turbans for black buccaneers, etc. Headscarves are historically appropriate - undyed or "sad" colors, though some brightness (natural colors) and some patterns would be appropriate here (stripes, small figures, etc.).

Neck Covering
Many of the St. Augustinians would have worn crucifixes - gold or silver, possibly elaborate for the rich; pewter, bone, or wood, probably plain for most. Officials and garrison officers would probably have worn neckcloths. Townsmen may have worn neckerchiefs (due to the climate) of undyed or dark colors, though some brightness (natural colors) and patterns might be expected here (stripes, small figures, etc.).

"Christianized" natives would have worn the same neckwear as the town's Spanish inhabitants. Rural or pagan natives would have worn necklaces of shell, ceramic, metal, or wooden beads, trade goods, etc.

Slaves would most likely have worn the same neckwear as poor Spaniards (e.g., plain crucifixes, neckerchiefs, etc.). They may have worn necklaces of shell, cerarnic, metal, or wooden beads, trade goods, etc.

Buccaneer officers may have worn neckcloths. Most crewmen would have worn neckerchiefs (due to the climate) of undyed or dark colors, though some brightness (natural colors) and patterns might be expected here (stripes, small figures, etc.). Some buccaneers may have worn crucifixes (e.g., French, Spanish renegades, etc.). Native American and black buccaneers may have worn necklaces of gold, silver, shell, ceramic, metal, or wooden beads, trade goods, etc.

Torso Covering
Florida's Spaniards were most likely still wearing "English Civil War-style" doublets. Some may have worn something similar to a "bolero" coat or shell jacket, a short, close-fitting jacket ending at the waist. Coats would have been made of natural materials (e.g., linen, winter weight wool, some cotton) in natural or dark colors(e.g., blue, brown, green, dark red/yellow, etc.). Coats were cut with close fitting torsos and looser, split sleeves with close-set buttons and buttonholes, from shoulder to wrist, so that they might be fastened, if desired. Some braid (dark colors) would be appropriate on the seams or cuffs of presidio officials and officers. A noticeable feature of coats in this period was the presence of many buttons (about an inch apart, metal or cloth-covered wood) down the front of the doublet, on open cuffs, etc. Epaulets may still have been worn by some. Shirts were made of linen, fine or coarse, white or natural, depending on the wearer's means, cut full in body and sleeve. Shirts were closed at the neck and cuff by ties or ribbons. Ponchos and jerkins may have been worn by the town's workers. 
Correct doublets are available from:
G. Gedney Godwin, lnc(items Military Coat or Civilian Coat - specify pewter buttons)
Syke's Sutlery(items #CT1640M-CT1640XX - specify wood buttons)

"Christianized" natives would have worn the same coats and shirts as the town's Spanish inhabitants. Rural or pagan natives may have worn mix of Spanish shirts and loincloth or the traditional native style - no torso covering at all, except for tattoos.

Slaves would most likely have worn the same torso covering as poor Spaniards - poncho, jerkin, shirt, etc.

ln the 1650-60's, many Jamaican buccaneers were discharged English soldiers. They wore old military uniforms, adapted to suit climate of the West lndies. Very popular with sailor’s was something similar to a 'bolero" coat or shell jacket, a short close-fitting jacket ending at the waist, made of summer-weight wool or canvas. Jerkins or sleeveless vests, buttoned or tied, were also commonly worn. These would be made of light wool, linen, canvas, or leather; sometimes soaked in a light mixture of tar or wax, to waterproof. Dark or natural colors for jerkins and vests are appropriate. Sailors would have commonly worn coarse linen shirts, white or natural, with turnover collars worn open at the throat and fullish sleeves. 
Such shirts are available from:
Syke's Sutlery(items #SH1640M - SH1642X)

Garrison officers would have worn a broad sash, wound around the waist rather than draped over the shoulder. Most men, during this period, would have worn a belt or sword belt/hanger, from which would hang a knife, pouch, etc.

Leg Coverings
Knee-breeches, called "slops," were tied close at the knee with garters or left open, tubular, like long shorts. Breeches would have been made of natural materials (linen, winter-weight wool, some cotton) in natural or dark colors (blue, brown, green, dark red/yellow, etc.). They were worn with a doublet, short jacket, or jerkin. The breeches of gentlemen and officers were often finished with braid or ribbons. Variations of these knee-breeches were worn by all classes - rich, poor, "Christianized" native, slave, Spaniard, and buccaneer.
Appropriate breeches are available from:
G. Gedney Godwin, lnc(item Breeches – specify pewter buttons)
Syke's Sutlery(items #BR1580M-8R15801; BR1640M-BR1640XX / ECWSA)

Rural or pagan natives would have worn cloth or deerskin loincloths. Stockings, of cotton or winter-weight wool and in lighter colors than the breeches (white stockings were rare), were worn with shoes. 
Appropriate stockings are available from:
G. Gedney Godwin, lnc (item #631)
Jas Townsend & Son(items #SP-757: SP-754; SP-755)
Syke's Sutlery(items #Stocking02-05)

Foot Coverings
Spanlsh officers and gentlemen would have worn thigh-length, "bucket “ boots:. Other St. Augustinians would have worn "latchet' shoes, tied by ribbons (for the rich) or leather laces (for the rest). Buckled shoes were not commonly worn until the 1690's.
Latchet shoes are available from:
G. Gedney Godwin, lnc (item "17th Century Shoe" - specify "tie type," "smooth side of the leather out")

Spanish workers and slaves may have worn leather sandals or "ropas" (sandals made of rope). These Were worn with or without stockings. 
"Ropas" are available from:
Gurkee Sandals(items Neptune or Barbados - specify "natural" color)

Rural or pagan natives would have worn moccasins or gone barefoot.

Buccaneers usually went barefoot aboard ship, but wore shoes on land. Buccaneer Officers would have bucket boots or latchet shoes or "ropas" (see above) on land.

Women's Appearance Suggestions
Most garb worn by women who participate in English Civil War reenactments would be appropriate for this event.

Sword fighters at Searle's Raid (aka Skirmishers) will be engaging in choreographed, steel on steel, contact fights. For safety of our participants and our audience this means that all weapons will be reviewed early on Saturday to ensure that they are appropriate for use. All weapons must be qualified for Stage, steel on steel combat. Homemade weapons and "wall hangers" will not be approved. 

We're control freaks because we have to be.  We have a perfect safety record.  Two years ago we had some would-be skirmishers practicing in camp.  A "wall hanger" blade broke and went flying into the bushes.  This is why we go to such great pains to protect the public and our insurance rating.

There will be several skirmishes scheduled throughout the reenactment where sword fighters will have a chance to perform. Due to restrictions of space, it is possible that everyone will not be included in each skirmish but normally you will be asked to perform multiple times (I believe nine fights by one pair is the record). Your fight choreography will also need to be reviewed and approved so practice, practice, practice. Please have a general idea of how long your fight sequences last to assist us in deciding where they are best used.

Preferred weapons for this 1668 reenactment are Cut-and-Thrust Swords or single edged Back-Swords. Rapiers and Side Swords were generally civilian dueling weapons, not used by the military, but will be considered acceptable as long as the design is 17th century (please, no cup hilts or epees). Also 15th-16th century "arming swords" with simple cruciform hilts will be considered acceptable. While larger swords were appropriate to the 1600s we do not use them due to the space limitations of our crowded battlefields. Curved weapons such as Falchions and early sabres/cutlasses (again no cup hilts please) require careful point control so they will only be allowed after demonstrating expertise in their use.

All rules concerning appearance, garb, and camp behavior should be followed by all participants. They can be found elsewhere on this site.

An additional word about black powder weapons. No black powder weapons may be carried in the reenactment unless the weapon is inspected by the Officer in charge of Black Powder and it is determined that the user is certified. No black powder weapon will be used during a skirmish engagement unless it is first rehearsed, approved, and Safety Officers are informed to minimize the chance of accidents. 

Thank you and welcome to Searle's Raid 2011.

Charles "Ian" Corzine
Master-at-Arms

Swords
Spanish officers and gentlemen used the rapier, a narrow bladed thrusting weapon. Spanish troops were equipped with "hangers" or a simplified; "munitions-quality" short sword or "tuck." 
Rapiers are available from:
By The Sword
Museum Replicas

Buccaneers carried a wide variety of edged weapons, preferring swords that "cut" rather than "thrust." "Hangers," a form of slightly curved hunting sword adapted for military of naval use, were the most popular form of blade. 
"Hangers" are available from:
By The Sword
Museum Replicas