Medieval "lingerie"

[mandie_rw]

Saw this floating around Facebook - what do you guys think of it?

Discovered in a castle vault, the scraps of lace that show lingerie was all the rage 500 years ago

My knowledge of pre-16thc clothing is sketchy at best, but after a good look, I think saying the find "totally rewrites" fashion history is a bit of a stretch. A fascinating find? Yes, definitely. But it hasn't totally blown my mind and made me question everything I know about the history of women's undergarments!

Of course, it is the Daily Mail...

Comments

[sewloud.livejournal.com]

I have a GREAT desire to try it I must say.

I think it's really interesting and the description of the other two as "shirts with bags" is pretty hilarious to me. I guess it does make sense to me, I LIKE boob support, and it could be the first step on the way to the corset.

The undies also do make sense to me, from a really really functional level. They'd provide you a way to hold some ahem reinforcements there during a certain time of the month. Yeah women probably had FEWER periods then but I'm SURE they HAD them. And in a drafty castle that could prevent the unwanted "updraft" nicely.

I would have questioned the dating but it was radiocarbon dated so I'd say it's definitely that old.

[blackcat452.livejournal.com]

I don't know what to make of the bra, but my first thoughts about the panties are the same as Robins. During that time of the month, they might have been used to support the "rags"they used, or so I have been told.

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

On phone. Will write more later, but yes! Does rewrite history! I've been wanting an English copy of the report. Found in Germany last year. Is from 1480!

[situveuxmoi.livejournal.com]

Cool, but the archaeologist training in me has me recoiling- more research needed!

Link to good discussion :

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=151807

[heidilea.livejournal.com]

My thoughts were along the same lines. Some of the same people who posted it on facebook thought maybe the "bikini" was actually for menstration. The bra...well, it is Tyrol. And it's not like Tyrol was the center for activity in Europe in the 15th century. I think it's probably a regional fashion.

[chocolatepot.livejournal.com]

I agree that it's a bit of a stretch. With the panties, as has been said, reinforcements etc. They may not have been everyday wear. The "bra" is clearly a longer garment - there's a bit on the side that shows how long it would be, but they're acting like the rip under the bust is the original lower edge - so that could be an outer garment, a warmth garment, etc. The fact that there are lacing holes on the side means that this could be a pregnancy-specific thing.

Why did I read the comments? "Chemises and sack gowns", what do they have to do with this? FTLOG.