The most authentic detailing of a knights attire comes directly from a poem written during the Medieval Period between 1375 and 1400 AD in England. The name of the poem is "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." The author of the poem is unknown, but is often referred to as the Gawain poet. A complete description of the clothing of a knight is provided in lines 566 through 589 of that poem.

Gawain dressed for combat. He asked "for his arms" (567). The word "arms" refers to a defensive and offensive outfit for war, things used in fighting. Upon receipt of his arms, "a carpet of rare cost was cast on the floor" (568). The arms were set on the carpet, and the "goodly gear gleamed golden bright" (569). The word "goodly" means of high qualify, admirable, splendid, excellent, that which is well suited for some purpose and proper. Gawain dresses "in a tight coat of Turkestan silk" (571). "Turkestan" was a region in Central Asia. Today, Turkestan is known as Turan. The highest quality and most expensive silk was made in Turkestan.

He attires himself with a "kingly cap-a-dos" (572). The words "kingly" means the cap-a-dos was of royal quality, and a "cap-a-dos" is a hood; a piece of armor to protect the back. This particular cap-a-dos was closed at the throat and lined lavishly with fur. Gawain adorned his feet with "steel shoes" (574). He "clad his calved about with comely greaves" (575). The words "clad" means to cover, "comely" means to be fair, pretty, beautiful and nice, and "greaves" is armor for the leg below the knee or shins. Gawain covered his shins with beautiful armor. He also wore metal plates to protect his knees. All the armor was "Affixed with fastenings of the finest gold" (577). The word "affixed" means to fix, fasten, or append to the armor. He wore "Fair cuisses enclosed, that were cunningly wrought" (578). The words "fair" means pleasing form and appearance, "cuisses" is armor for protecting the front part of his thighs, and "wrought" means that the armor was molded to fit his shape.

Gawain's dress includes "massy chain-mail" (580). The word "massy" means the "chain-mail" was made of solid, not hollow, and weighty links of metal. Chain-mail is body-armor made of interlaced metal links. On his body, Gawain dressed in his finest cloths "With brace ... upon his arms" (582). The word "brace" refers to the portion of armor covering his arms. He dress include "Good couters and gay, and glove of plate" (583). The word "couters" references a piece of armor to protect his elbow, and "gay" means they are brilliant in color. All of the gear worn by Gawain was of high quality to help him during this "tide" (585). The word "tide" means time.

On top of that gear, Gawain wears "His surcoat" (586). A "surcoat" is an outer coat of rich material, worn by people of rank; worn by armed men over their armor, and have heraldic arms depicted on it. The "heraldic arms" are the symbols of pedigree, title, rank and precedence. Gawain wore steel shoes with spurs. The word "spurs" refers to a device for pricking the side of a horse in order to urge it forward, consisting of a small spike or spiked wheel attached to his heel. Gawain also wears "a brave silk band to hold" (588)/ "The broadsword at his side" (589). The word "broadsword" means a sword with a broad blade. With all that attire, Gawain is now dressed for his engagement with the Green Knight.

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