I am currently creating a setting based on the 17th century, and need to remake a character's clothes to be more period appropriate.
What would be clothes fit for a scholar (a field researcher) that would serve in an adventure? Something practical but still of high standing that demands respect? Something not too difficult to draw? I want to bring forth a feeling of a character who's a shut in obsessed with their work, and has difficulty socializing with others. What would be the 17th century equivalent of what they currently wear, an open coat with a tie and shirt, pants and boots?
I'm looking for specifically men's clothes.
Which country or area?
And early 1600s or late 1600s?
If it helps, from a mid century English perspective, an advice to Cambridge scholars in 1660 is here: https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/advice-for-freshers-in-1660-goe-not-a-gadding-and-gossiping-from-chamber-to-chamber
There are pictures throughout.
Part of the guidance to freshers is on clothing (ie I imagine it therefore reflects what the established scholars were doing, and therefore wanted the freshers to do):
"" Wear no boots, nor powder your hair, let yr Garb be grave & sober, yet cheerful & pleasant.” Moderation in dress was the best approach. “Be not to spruce, curious, & fantastick, nor yet to careless, supine & slovenly in yr Apparel." "
You'll see from the picture at the top of the link that the garb was hose, with knee length britches covered with a knee length coat, and then a scholars gown and a scholars cap, as well as bands at the neck (as ruffs had now disappeared). The key difference in this "look" to other professional men at the time would be the nature of the hair covering (whether wig, hat or cap) as well as the nature of the robe. The hose-britches-coat combo was fairly standard, but financial status would be demonstrated by the nature of the material and the level of decoration. Eg silk would be a more expensive coat than stuff (wool). Underclothes are nearly universally linen.