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SPES products - technology & methods of manufacturing
Machine-made standard
- products with visible signs of using modern methods and tools in their production; e.g. visible outside and inside seams in clothing made with the use of a machine.
Mixed standard
- products with visible signs of using both modern and traditional methods and tools in their production; e.g. main, inside seams in clothing are made with the use of a machine while outside stitches and details are sewn by hand.
Hand-made standard
- goods with visible signs of using only traditional methods and tools in their production; e.g. all seams in clothing are sewn by hand.
*NOTE. We always use high quality materials and fabrics while making our products - the above standards of their production are not related to the materials used.
A chemise is a type of medieval shirt for women worn under a dress. This type of medieval underwear is an essential part of women's medieval clothing.
Women's medieval shirts available is our assortment are made from linen in natural or white color. The torso of this chemise consists of 4 trapezes: 2 in front, 2 in back. Its sleeves are sewn with gussets under armpit. This chemise is also V-necked. The length of this medieval underwear reaches around the middle of the calf.
Here is the table of standard sizes of the chemise:
Size
Chest girth (D1)
Waist girth (D5)
Hips girth (D7)
Height (A1)
XS
76-83cm
60-67cm
84-91cm
155-160cm
S
83-90cm
67-74cm
91-98cm
160-165cm
M
90-97cm
74-81cm
98-105cm
165-170cm
L
97-104cm
81-88cm
105-112cm
170-175cm
XL
104-114cm
88-98cm
112-120cm
175-180cm
XXL
114-124cm
98-108cm
120-128cm
180-185cm
Custom
+20% of the chemise basic price
*Please write a chosen size in additional information window.
If needed, there is an option of ordering a chemise in custom size.
Our medieval underwear can be sewn in custom size, with personalized length and other dimensions on customer's request.
On special request we can also use other color of linen or other fabrics such as silk or cotton.
Sources for our chemise
An example of medieval underwear which inspired us to make this model can be found in St Francis Xavier's Church in Paris. It belonged to Isabella of France, the sister of Louis IX of France.
Main Features
- made of natural linen
- 3 standards of sewing to choose from
- based on historical sources
Underwear in the Middle Ages
The role of medieval underwear was to isolate body from outer clothing, which was often made from wool. Underwear was the only part of clothing which was washed regularly.
Usually medieval underwear was made from linen, later also from cotton. Wealthier people wore underwear made of silk. It is a basic part of any medieval set of clothing.
Medieval underwear for men consists of braies and shirt, later also a suspender belt. Underclothing for women consists of a long medieval shirt – often called a chemise.
Medieval chemise over centuries
It is believed that a chemise was the only part of women's medieval underwear. Depending on the reenacted century, chemise can be loose (like our chemises from 13th and 14th century) or closely fitted to the body with shoulder straps.
In the 13th century, the chemises were loose and unfitted, hence our chemise matches its historical equivalent.