Re: Northwestern European "Under-Gowns"

[Heather Swann <swannh@psi.com>]

Poster: Heather Swann <swannh@psi.com>

When you say "Northwestern
>European woman - say from 1000 AD - 1100 AD", are you thinking of a
specific country?  I know what goes under Finnish garb, and there is a very
good book called "Ancient Finnish Costume" that describes it, and includes
some documentation from various digs.

Miri

>Gentles of the Merry Rose,
>
>I am looking for an authentic description of a gown that would be worn under
>the tunic/surcoat/overgown (your term here) of a typical Northwestern
>European woman - say from 1000 AD - 1100 AD.
>
>I have found a number of decent links to garb sites with lots of information
>on the over dresses, but each one only ventured a passing mention of what was
>worn underneath.  Oh, sure - I could do the research myself and hog all the
>glory, or I can be magnanimous give my fellow Atlantians the opportunity to
>astonish us all with their knowledge.  
>
>I'm guessing that it would be made from either fine/light wool, linen or
>hemp.  
>
>Would it be cut like a t-tunic with the sleeves attached at mid-arm, or would
>the sleeves be set in?
>
>Would there be gussets under the arms?  (How does one put the *&#$! things
>in, anyway - why not just curve the seam, for that matter?)  
>
>What was the shape of the neckline and what type of closure (if any) was used
>at the neckline?  
>
>How were the neckline, sleeves and hem decorated?
>
>Was the body of the undergown cut as one piece folded at the shoulders?  Was
>there a seam at the shoulder?  If it was cut in more than one piece, how many
>pieces were there?  Was the dress loose or tight on the arms and torso? 
>
>What were the typical colours?
>
>In appreciation,
>Ursula
>
>
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