I have a question about the size/shape of doublet tabs/"skirts" on men's doublets ca. 1600-1610.
Some background: I'm making a linen canvas doublet for rapier fencing, based loosely on the one in Janet Arnold's "Patterns of Fashion 1560-1620" (page 82). Apart from the fabric, it also has a pointed front (because I'm made that way - my navel lies below my natural waistline) and corded body for extra impact protection. Here are some pictures of my progress thus far. The tabs are basted on, and though it's not visible there's a linen canvas lacing strip beneath: Front: http://pics.livejournal.com/anotheranon/pic/00059kk8 Back: http://pics.livejournal.com/anotheranon/pic/00058xfp My question is primarily decorative. According to the dimensions given in Arnold and my "eyeballing", it seems like each of the tabs should be roughly the size of my hand, give or take a 1/2" or so, which these are. I opted not to pad them with the cotton batting I used elsewhere because I thought it would add bulk without much stiffness. However, the tabs seem to droop - I've likened them to a row of floppy dogs ears! And the large size while not unflattering when I'm wearing it doesn't look "right" to me; I think I might be comparing it in my mind to the smaller tabs found on women's stays of the same period. Can someone tell me - are the tabs the right size/shape/bulk, or am I just being unduly influenced by my experience of doing mostly women's 16th century? Thanks in advance, Allison T. _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
