On Mon, 25 Dec 2006, MaggiRos wrote, regarding
http://www.formfunction.org/temp/1475-80ValeriusMaximus.jpg
Is that really a pleated ruffle at the bottom of the undergown?
This subject has come up before, as these wide hem-band-things are not an
uncommon feature in 15th c. art. What they are is
-- a large horizontal tuck taken at about knee level in a very long flared
skirt. The presumed point of such a tuck would be to store excess length,
so that the dress could be let down in future (e.g. for more formal wear,
or if the hem wears out). .
If you look at German illuminations from
