At 06:14 06/03/2006, you wrote:
Maybe it has to do with linen breathing better? Those of us going thru
menopause would understand and appreciate a cooler outfit.
Sharon
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of Diana Habra
Sent: Sunday, March 05, 2006 11:06 AM
To: Historical Costume
Subject: Re: [h-cost] difference of the sexes
Early in the 18th century there are so many layers of horsehair,
crin, and linen stiffening the silk lining was probably for comfort,
but would not much be seen, except maybe inside the front opening at
the chest.
Later, in the middle of the century the lining can be seen on the
back skirts, from in front, without the man ever taking off or
opening his coat. It's just the way it is made.
Many late 18th century coats are actually worn fastened only with a
couple of hooks on the chest, allowing the fronts to fall open and
reveal the lining. Facing the fronts with fashion fabric is not
usually an option until very late in the century, when coats with
tails become popular. Early the following century the "tails" are
almost always fully lined in fashion fabric, and the fronts are faced
back as far as the underarm with fashion fabric. The insides are tend
to be left unlined except for some linen reinforcement across the shoulders.
As someone else said, the inside of a woman's bodice would not be
seen, so there would be no need to waste a comparatively expensive
fabric on something unseen.
Just my 2 penn'orth.
Suzi
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