According to Levey, these shirts and smocks with simple edge decorations began to be seen in the portraits of the late 15th and early 16th century and that it was such edge decoration that eventually flourished into very recognizable and impressive lace in the 1560's to 1580s, when ruffs were very elaborate. My impression is that by the 18th century, people of wealth had linen undershirts of great number, ie. perhaps over a hundred, which they changed often. Devon In a message dated 4/12/2009 9:55:30 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
Thank you, Devon. That's very interesting. What time period are we talking about? Elizabethan era? On Sun, Apr 12, 2009 at 16:53, <[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) > wrote: Actually, for the upper classes, they seem to have adopted linen underwear, from which lace collars later evolved, exactly so that they could launder the underwear all the time, and not bathe, and keep the overwear cleaner, since it could only be brushed. The under linen was supposed to absorb the bad humors. The invention of washable body linen was credited in my daughter's history book with extending peoples lives even before the institution of other forms of sanitation. There seems to be a lot of references to having to poke and arrange ruffs, with a certain French King, (Henry someone) even doing his own ruff arranging and helping his friends. One had to wear one's ruffs to court events and look good, I would assume. Having a natty looking ruff was a major source of prestige for the upper classes. Devon In a message dated 4/12/2009 9:42:11 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) writes: But... how often were clothes washed in those days, particularly good ones, precious ones? I think it must have been far less often than we would be comfortable with today, though I admit I have only vaguely remembered lectures from my uni days as a basis for that. Sr. Claire - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) ____________________________________ A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. _See yours in just 2 easy steps!_ (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220572838x1201387489/aol?redir=http:// www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=Aprilfooter NO62") **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220572838x1201387489/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26 hmpgID%3D62%26bcd%3DAprilfooterNO62) - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]
