
This country lass is raking hay in France around 1410. Her short--sleeved kirtle is pulled up and bloused at her waist, and her veil is knotted at the back to make a simple cap. She wears a chemise under the kirtle. |
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Basic Outfit: Early 1400s Kirtle and Veil
The basic women's outfit is a dress and head covering worn by common women and servants throughout England and Europe from the mid 1300s to the early 1500s. The kirtle is a scoop-necked floor-length gown, fitted closely to the waist and fuller from the hips on down. The sleeves may be long and close-fitting, or short with pinned-on oversleeves.
Kirtles were also worn as under-dresses by noblewomen during this time, so as you acquire more clothes, your first kirtle will continue to be a useful part of your wardrobe.
Veils were worn loose, sometimes with a cord or metal fillet round the brow to hold them in place, or knotted up to form caps which confined and covered the hair. Only very young maidens, brides, or whores did not cover their hair for much of our period.
See period images of these clothes.
The kirtle is made of cotton drill or headcloth, and the veil of cotton voile. The kirtle is available in several colours; veils were always white. In period the kirlte would have been linen or wool (or silk if you were of the high nobility), and the veil linen.
Long-sleeved kirtle and veil, S M L XL, $50.00.
Short-sleeved kirtle, oversleeves, and veil, S M L XL, $55.00. Please e-mail me for oversleeve colour; the choice is the same as for kirtles, but sleeves and kirtle can be different colours.
For larger sizes or children's outfits, please e-mailt me.
You may add accessories at substantial price reductions, provided you buy them at the same time as or within three months of the basic outfit: a voile chemise for $30 (save $10), an open-fronted hood for $20 (save $5), an apron for $5 (save $3), ladies' hose for $10 (save $5), a shepherd's waist pouch for $10 (save $5), or a cloth pouch for $4 (save $2). This is a saving of up to $30 on the regular prices!
Accessories
| Chemise -- $30.00 |
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| Hood -- $20 |
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| Apron -- $5 |
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| Hose -- $10 |
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| Shepherd's Pouch --$10 |
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| Cloth Pouch -- $4 |
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