Hi All- I subbed as the instructor for a Clothing History class a couple of weeks ago. One of the instructors notes stated that the ruff was a "descendant" of a chemise with a drawstring neck. I have been a costumer since I was 12 (oh, boy am I dating myself), with a BA and MA in Theatre costume and 18 years of 16th C. clothing research in the SCA that resulted in a Laurel-- and now I teach fashion on the college level, so I guess I'm pretty intense about my clothing....
Anyway I have never seen anything about a drawstring that is Medieval or Renaissance. As a matter of fact something I read said it was the result of the "I need 100 chemises fast" mindset of the original Ren Faires. The chemises I have seen--- and this is only in paintings, mind you-- show no indication of a drawstring in the neck-- either a high neckline or low neckline. Can anyone help me on this? My professor friend has said she found a reference in "several books" but is more than willing to look at what I find , and change her lecture, as necessary. We both hate the idea of disseminating incorrect information to students. Thanks a bunch-- Monica Spence (Catriona MacDuff in the SCA) _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
