Well it was supposed to be medieval , but in the end my influences spanned a little longer and further hmmmm
If you ignore the pic from the Pirates of the Caribbean (yes I'm afraid that is a photo of Keira Knightly) which is set (I think) somewhere in the 1700s though I have a suspicion that that outfit of Keira's is at least inspired by something a lot older. Think maybe I can get away with it?

This piece is Medieval with an Oriental twist (ok its a collar)- which sort of describes my taste in most things! At first I was thinking of making it from something that would be fairly structured maybe good linen, with reinforcement for the mandarin/stand collar? But if it were made out of something heavy-duty it could almost be a jacket! Then I was thinking that it could be made from something really soft with a nice drape but I think it would need a more relaxed fit and the collar omitted.
How amazing would this look made out of that heavy brocade oriental silk??