On Sat, 3 Dec 2005, Suzi Clarke wrote: > >As for whether linen was/wasn't used for outer garments in Europe -- > >well, there is that linen 17th c. man's jacket that was found in the > >wall (chimney?) of a house. > >http://www.concealedgarments.org/information/links.html > > > >-- Mara > > Surely there is no problem with linen outer garments in the 17th > century? On Thursday I was at the Museum of London again, where I was > able to look at a linen bodice embroidered with blackwork, and > previously I studied another, earlier bodice, also embroidered linen, > from about 1610 - 20
I don't think anyone has questioned the existence of linen outer garments from the 16th c. on. The only issue I'm aware of (and the one I summarized in response to the initial query) is whether colored linen was routinely used for the outer, visible layers of fashionable gowns in medieval Western Europe. However, whenever this subject comes up, there's a tendency for the thread to mutate to the point that some read the statement as somehow applying to (a) other times, (b) other places, (c) other garments, (d) the use of linen at all, or (e) the dyeing of linen for any purpose -- none of which should be at issue. Honest, folks, I wouldn't have brought it up if someone hadn't asked me directly why I wasn't intending to use my stash of brightly dyed linen for medieval clothing -- a very specific question and a very specific answer. And I'm still wondering when the strongly-dyed stuff would have become available and fashionable! I'm thinking that I'd better use the cranberry-colored length for a modern dress... --Robin _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
