Category: Female Clothing > Body Linen

A 14th century long shirt

A 14th century long shirt

CODE	Material	Standard ?	Price
BKLE0038	L i n e n	Economical	55 46.75 EUR
BKLR0040	L i n e n	High	75 63.75 EUR
BKLS0039	L i n e n	Average	65 55.25 EUR

A chemise is a women's long shirt, type of historical underwear. We make our medieval underwear from linen in natural or white color. On special request, we can use linen in other color. We can also prepare this historical clothing for women from other fabric, like silk or cotton.

What is more, we can make a medieval chemise in non-standard size and adapt its sizes to customer's needs.

The purpose of medieval underwear

The main body of this women's long shirt consists of four trapezes. Two are placed on the front, two on the back. Sleeves are sewn with cleats under armpits. Comparing with a shirt from 13th century, a 14th century chemise has bigger semicircular cleavage. It is also a little longer, reaching the middle of a calf.

Medieval chemise was probably the only part of women's historical underwear. This element of historical clothing for women was put directly on the body.

In 14th century, women's long shirt still remained loose and not fitted. Thus, our medieval chemise corresponds with the historical archetype.

An example of the historical underwear which was an inspiration for us can be found in St Francis Xavier's Church in Paris. The medieval chemise belonged to Isabella of France, sister of Louis IX 'The Saint', king of France.

The task of medieval underwear was to isolate the body from the outer woollen clothes - it was the only element of garments that was regularly washed. Usually it was made of linen, for wealthier users of silk, and in the late part of the Middle Ages of cotton. It is a basic and inseparable part of medieval clothing. Medieval men's linen consists of a shirt, braies and sometimes an underwear belt, and medieval women's linen consists of a long shirt.

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