Most of the following info is from Jane Huggett's Clothes of the Common Woman 1580-1660.
The modern word bodice derives from the period term bodies, or pair of bodies (pair meaning something made in more than one part). It therefore more correctly refers to stays or corset. A waistcoat worn with a petticoat was the normal everyday wear of ordinary women throughout the period. Writing in 1688 Randle Holmes described a waistcoat as "an habit or garment generally worn by the middle and lower sort of woman, having gored skirts and some wear them with stomachers" (quoted in Waugh. Hope that helps Mags -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kate M Bunting Sent: 27 August 2008 12:57 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [h-cost] Woman's waistcoat 17th cent. At a re-enactment event at the weekend, someone mentioned that she had heard that women's bodices were called waistcoats in the early 17th century. No-one else was aware of this. I'm sure I have seen mention of the waistcoat as a woman's garment on this list, but can anyone clarify the definition? Kate Bunting Librarian & 17th century reenactor. _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.7/1632 - Release Date: 25/08/2008 07:05 _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
