16th Century Women's Undergarments
Shift:
#1500L01
$35 to sew + materials
linen, silk, cotton, wool
+ $20 ruffled collar
+ $10 ruffled cuffs
A shift is the basic undergarment from the Middle Ages through 1900. In the 1500's the neckline was a drawstring, gathered or embroidered. Sleeves had a finished hem and were rolled up out of the way, or had ruffles and lace added to the cuffs. All shifts have a finished hem at the bottom.
Neckline style is determined by year & region.
Under-petticoat:
#1500L02
$40 to sew + materials
wool, linen, silk, cotton flanel
This petticoat goes under your farthingale for warmth, comfort and modesty.
Partlet:
#1500L03
Starts at $35 to sew + materials
Linen
A partlet is a collar and ½ shirt, like a dickey. It can be worn under the bodice or over it. Single women wore it open, married women wore it closed... generally.
Effigy Corset / Pair of Bodies:
#1500L04
Start at $275
Corsets, or a “pair of bodies” are fully boned and very rigid, some were even made of iron. They reduce the waist and flatten the bust. The bottom front dips low, while the sides and back are at the natural waistline. These bodies are cut high under the arms and tabs at the waist add extra support for farthingales.
Our "effigy" corsets are made from 2 layers of stiff cotton canvas or linen with metal boning and wood or metal busks, and covered with a decorative fabric. Boned tabs are more comfortable for full-figured women than straight-cut waistlines, but this is a matter of preference.
Bodies are stiffened bodices that make corsets unnecessary for small to average size women, (see outerwear).
French Farthingales
Wheel:
#1500L05
$60 1/2 length
$100 full length
The Wheel or Drum is a cylindrical construction radiating out from the waist and falling to the floor, giving the torso a “serving tray” look. This is perfect for Elizabethan court dress.
Made from our choice of cotton or linen with metal or cane supports.
Ships some assembly required to avoid freight charges.
Bumroll:
#1500L06
$30 to sew
+ $50 wool stuffing
The bumroll is a stuffed pad that is full in the back and tapers to the front, then ties around the waist. It can be paired with the wheel for added support or worn by itself. Made from our choice of cotton or linen and stuffed with cotton polyfill or washed wool... I recommend the polyfill.
Bumrolls are the subject of many a humorous or amorous poem from the 1500's & 1600's.
Spanish Farthingale:
#1500L07
$100
+ $50 vertical supports
cane, metal banding
The Spanish farthingale came first and exited last, it’s a conical gored skirt with hoop supports and a drawstring waist.
Our farthingales only have horizontal hoop supports unless you request the vertical supports. Vertical supports make this garment very stiff and difficult to sit in.
Our choice of linen or cotton.
May ship 'some assembly required' to avoid freight charges.
16th Century Women's Undergarments
Shift:
#1500L01
$35 to sew + materials
linen, silk, cotton, wool
+ $20 ruffled collar
+ $10 ruffled cuffs
A shift is the basic undergarment from the Middle Ages through 1900. In the 1500's the neckline was a drawstring, gathered or embroidered. Sleeves had a finished hem and were rolled up out of the way, or had ruffles and lace added to the cuffs. All shifts have a finished hem at the bottom.
Neckline style is determined by year & region.
Under-petticoat:
#1500L02
$40 to sew + materials
wool, linen, silk, cotton flanel
This petticoat goes under your farthingale for warmth, comfort and modesty.
Partlet:
#1500L03
Starts at $35 to sew + materials
Linen
A partlet is a collar and ½ shirt, like a dickey. It can be worn under the bodice or over it. Single women wore it open, married women wore it closed... generally.
Effigy Corset / Pair of Bodies:
#1500L04
Start at $275
Corsets, or a “pair of bodies” are fully boned and very rigid, some were even made of iron. They reduce the waist and flatten the bust. The bottom front dips low, while the sides and back are at the natural waistline. These bodies are cut high under the arms and tabs at the waist add extra support for farthingales.
Our "effigy" corsets are made from 2 layers of stiff cotton canvas or linen with metal boning and wood or metal busks, and covered with a decorative fabric. Boned tabs are more comfortable for full-figured women than straight-cut waistlines, but this is a matter of preference.
Bodies are stiffened bodices that make corsets unnecessary for small to average size women, (see outerwear).
French Farthingales
Wheel:
#1500L05
$60 1/2 length
$100 full length
The Wheel or Drum is a cylindrical construction radiating out from the waist and falling to the floor, giving the torso a “serving tray” look. This is perfect for Elizabethan court dress.
Made from our choice of cotton or linen with metal or cane supports.
Ships some assembly required to avoid freight charges.
Bumroll:
#1500L06
$30 to sew
+ $50 wool stuffing
The bumroll is a stuffed pad that is full in the back and tapers to the front, then ties around the waist. It can be paired with the wheel for added support or worn by itself. Made from our choice of cotton or linen and stuffed with cotton polyfill or washed wool... I recommend the polyfill.
Bumrolls are the subject of many a humorous or amorous poem from the 1500's & 1600's.
Spanish Farthingale:
#1500L07
$100
+ $50 vertical supports
cane, metal banding
The Spanish farthingale came first and exited last, it’s a conical gored skirt with hoop supports and a drawstring waist.
Our farthingales only have horizontal hoop supports unless you request the vertical supports. Vertical supports make this garment very stiff and difficult to sit in.
Our choice of linen or cotton.
May ship 'some assembly required' to avoid freight charges.