Period Costumes
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Renaissance Apparel - A Brief Glossary

Bodice - An article of women's clothing reaching from the neck to the waist, the bodice was sort of like a corset worn on the outside. Bodices were typically sleeveless, low cut and usually laced in some manner.

Chemise - A simple, tunic-like women's undergarment, worn under gowns or robes.

Chemisette - an article of women's clothing which fills in the neckline of an outfit it gives the appearance of a shirt or blouse without requiring an additional layer of clothing. NOT authentic Renaissance garb (it originated in the early Victorian era), but often used in Ren Faire costumes to keep the wearer a little more comfortable!

Cuirass - Plate armour covering the torso.

Doublet - a snug-fitting jacket. Originally an undergarment worn under the cuirass or hauberk, by the 15th century it had become a garment in it's own right (14th - 17th centuries).

Hauberk - A shirt of mail armour reaching to mid-thigh (12th - 14th century). Later replaced by plate armour.

Hose - Men's clothing, covering the legs and lower part of the body. Hose fashions evolved through the ages, from tight-like, footed parti-colored hose in the 15th century to galligaskins and Venetians - looser fitting hose ending below the knee - in the 17th century. Hose were later replaced by pants and breeches. (Middle ages - 17th century)

Jerkin - A vest. A short, tight-fitting, sleeveless jacket (usually made of leather) worn over a doublet by men (16th and 17th cent.)

Shirt - In medieval and renaissance times, a man's shirt was considered an undergarment, never worn by itself.

Buy Renaissance and Medieval clothing and accessories for Renaissance fairs, plays or cosplay - bodices, doublets, hose, chemises, chemisettes, skirts, jerkins, shoes and more.

For complete costumes see Renaissance Medieval Costumes, or browse by category - Knights and Armour, Nobility and Courtiers, Peasants Wenches, Monks and Commoners.

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