On 4/18/2011 12:52 PM, Franchesca wrote:
I love wearing cotehardies. However, I sweat under my bosoms when I do wear
them.
Has anyone found a solution, costuming wise, for hiding this or stopping it
from showing through a fitted garment like a cotehardie?
First thing is to remember that this style was not created in a world where
temperatures routinely went into (or past) the 70s even at the hottest time of
year. Plus, best evidence suggests that women then were, on average, far less
"busty" then than they are now. (I do watch for and collect images of very
busty women in these dresses, but they are rare.) So the problem is likely, in
large part, a modern one. But it's very common for modern re-enactors! These
steps may help, costuming-wise:
1. When fitting, raise the breasts up. If you lie down while fitting, you will
find that the breast mass spreads out and settle closer against your body. If
you fit around that shape, tightly enough that the breast mass stays in that
position when you stand up, there is less of a "crease" beneath the breasts to
get sweaty. Bonus: you also have a much closer-to-period silhouette, with an
elevated bustline, and breasts will not "bounce" or fall out of your neckline.
2. Wear a linen chemise, just loose enough to provide some bulk under the
bust. You will find it is both absorbent and cool. Bonus: It's authentic.
3. Line your dress, ideally with linen or a firmly woven wool. This, too, will
help absorb any sweat that makes it through the chemise. And yes, it's more
authentic.
Surprisingly, adding the layers of linen does not make the dress significantly
hotter in wear; I've found that if anything, it makes it cooler.
--Robin
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