Title: Medieval Women's Clothing
Headings: Medieval Women's Clothing
Medieval Women's Clothing
Medieval Women's Clothing
Medieval Women's Clothing
Medieval Women's Clothing
Medieval Women's Clothing

Content: The female clothing of the time consisted of two tunics, the under one being longer but less capacious than the other
The sleeves of the clothing came down tight to the wrists, and being plaited in many folds, whilst those of the latter open out, and only reach to the elbow
The lower part, the neck, and the borders of the sleeves are trimmed with ornamented bands
The waist was encircled by a girdle just above the hips
A long veil, finely worked, and fastened on the head, covered the shoulders and hung down to the feet, completely hiding the hair, so that long plaits falling in front were evidently not then in fashion
The under dress was made of various colours, whereas the gowns or outer tunics were often white
1100-1200: The typical Medieval Women's Clothing during the period of 1100 - 1200 featured: A cap was worn made of linen with lappets hanging down over the shoulders
A robe was fastened round the waist which had long bands attached to the sleeves near the wrists
The tight gown, fastened at the collar by a round buckle, and two bands of stuff forming a kind of necklace
She also used the long cloak with the clothing and closed shoes, which had then begun to be made pointed. Coloured bands were attached to their shoes, which were tied round the ankles like those of sandals, and showed the shape of the foot. Women, in addition to their head-dress, often wore a broad band, which was tied under the chin, and gave the appearance of a kind of frame for the face
The surcoat was at first a garment worn only by females, but it was soon adopted by both sexes
The surcoat was originally a large wrapper with sleeves, and was thrown over the upper part of the robe and clothing
The surcoat was then made without sleeves
The under garment, which was made of more costly material, might be seen


1200 - 1300: The typical Medieval Women's Clothing during the period of 1200 - 1300 featured: Luxury was at its height when gold and silver, pearls and precious stones were lavished on clothes
Massive belts of gold were also worn
Gowns with tight bodices were generally adopted
The women wore over them a tight jacket, reaching to a little below the hips, often trimmed with fur when the gown was richly ornamented, and itself richly ornamented when the gown was plain
They also began to plait the hair, which fell down by the side of the face to the neck, and they profusely decorated it with pearls or gold or silver ornaments
A pointed cap, on the turned-up borders of which the hair clustered in thick curls on each side of the face
On the chest was a frill turned down in two points
The gown, fastened in front by a row of buttons, had long and tight sleeves, with a small slit at the wrists closed by a button
A second robe in the shape of a cloak might also be worn, the sleeves of which were widely slit in the middle
Clothing was embroidered and richly decorated
The shoes were long and pointed
1300 - 1400: The typical Medieval Women's Clothing during the period of 1300 - 1400 featured: Women's clothing, the coats and surcoats, often trailed on the ground
Hats consisted of a frame of wirework covered over with stuff which was embroidered or trimmed with lace
The hair was kept back by a silken net, or crépine, attached either to a frontlet, or to a metal fillet, or confined by a veil of very light material
Whilst male attire had extended to the utmost limit of extravagance, women's clothing was dignified with elegant simplicity
The coat, or under garment, which formerly only showed itself through awkwardly-contrived openings, now displayed the harmonious outlines of the figure to advantage, thanks to the large openings in the overcoat
The surcoat, kept back on the shoulders by two narrow bands, became a sort of wide and trailing skirt, which majestically draped the lower part of the body
The external corset was invented, which was a kind of short mantle, falling down before and behind without concealing any of the fine outlines of the bust. This new article of women's clothing was kept in its place in the middle of the chest by a steel busk encased in some rich lace-work, was generally made of fur in winter and of silk in summer
The fashion of wearing false hair continued in great favour
Nets were again adopted, and head-dresses which, whilst permitting a display of masses of false hair, hid the horsehair or padded puffs
1400 - 1500: