16th Century Women's Undergarments
Shift:
#1500L10
cotton $35
linen $55
silk $60
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.
Drawers:
#1500L02
linen $35
cotton $25
Drawers have a drawstring waist and stop just below the knee. After 1550... or before. See women's trews on the 1400's women's undergarments page.
Hoes:
#1500L03
linen, wool
Start at $30
Knee length hosen are historically correct, but I’ll make full hose if you want more protection for your legs while you travel over fields and dale.
Under-petticoat:
#1500L04
cotton, flannel $40
linen $55
wool $100
This petticoat goes under your farthingale for warmth, comfort and modesty.
Corded Stays:
#1500L05
$200
Corded stays are made from two layers of linen with hemp cording drawn through.
*I have no documentation for this garment, but many women in paintings look like they are wearing a stiff, form-fitting garment under their bodices. Without some stiffening the bodices would wrinkle under the bust and at the sides. Bodices could have been lined with leather or canvas, stiffened with starch, boned, breasts could have been bound with cloth, but corded stays are another light-weight, washable possibility, and they allow for more flexibility in your wardrobe and lifestyle.
Partlet:
#1500L06
linen
Starts at $35
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:
#1500L07
Start at $250
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:
#1500L09
$50
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 reed supports.
May ship 'some assembly required' to avoid freight charges.
Bumroll:
#1500L08
$30
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 polyfill or washed wool... I recommend the polyfill.
*a note on bumrolls: I haven’t found any reliable historic documentation for this garment, but some ladies in paintings look like they are wearing something similar to this undergarment. There is also this satirical cartoon about bumrolls. If you have another good primary or secondary source, please let me know.
Spanish Farthingale:
#1500L10
reed, metal banding $50
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:
#1500L10
cotton $35
linen $55
silk $60
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.
Drawers:
#1500L02
linen $35
cotton $25
Drawers have a drawstring waist and stop just below the knee. After 1550... or before. See women's trews on the 1400's women's undergarments page.
Hoes:
#1500L03
linen, wool
Start at $30
Knee length hosen are historically correct, but I’ll make full hose if you want more protection for your legs while you travel over fields and dale.
Under-petticoat:
#1500L04
cotton, flannel $40
linen $55
wool $100
This petticoat goes under your farthingale for warmth, comfort and modesty.
Corded Stays:
#1500L05
$200
Corded stays are made from two layers of linen with hemp cording drawn through.
*I have no documentation for this garment, but many women in paintings look like they are wearing a stiff, form-fitting garment under their bodices. Without some stiffening the bodices would wrinkle under the bust and at the sides. Bodices could have been lined with leather or canvas, stiffened with starch, boned, breasts could have been bound with cloth, but corded stays are another light-weight, washable possibility, and they allow for more flexibility in your wardrobe and lifestyle.
Partlet:
#1500L06
linen
Starts at $35
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:
#1500L07
Start at $250
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:
#1500L09
$50
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 reed supports.
May ship 'some assembly required' to avoid freight charges.
Bumroll:
#1500L08
$30
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 polyfill or washed wool... I recommend the polyfill.
*a note on bumrolls: I haven’t found any reliable historic documentation for this garment, but some ladies in paintings look like they are wearing something similar to this undergarment. There is also this satirical cartoon about bumrolls. If you have another good primary or secondary source, please let me know.
Spanish Farthingale:
#1500L10
reed, metal banding $50
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.