Re: [h-cost] The fit of 17th century stockings?
On Apr 4, 2009, at 5:05 PM, Chris Laning wrote: I'm working on a project that involves constructing some mid-17th- century stockings, and my own expertise (such as it is) is really only with earlier centuries. So far, the results I seem to be getting suggest that either (1) these stockings are *supposed* to be loose around the ankle and instep rather than closely fitted, or (2) the instructions were written by someone who really didn't know what he was doing! Both are possible, of course, but since I haven't studied 17th century fashions at all, I don't have information that would enable me to tell. Insights from people more familiar with this era would be very helpful -- backup evidence even more so ;) There are some wide elements to the clothing — big boot tops, for example. But illustrations of stockings and shoes show them as smooth fitting as most other eras. Is this an ideal, though? I've seen 18thC paintings that show baggy ankles, but it may depend on the style vs realism of the paintings. What I've seen in late 17th/early 18thC stockings is that they are a more boxy shape than mid- to late-18thC. I doubt foot shape would change that much over 50 years. Many early knit stockings are densely made and/or fulled so the fabric is not as stretchy as we are used to with modern knits. they don't stretch for the smooth fit that we expect in modern socks. -Carol ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] The fit of 17th century stockings?
It depends on the material they're made of. I have made and worn both knitted and fabric stocks. The knitted ones have much more stretch, so can be tight about the ankle. The fabric ones can't be really tight around the ankle, even when cut on the bias, otherwise you just can't get your foot through them to put them on! I recall seeing drawing with ties on the ankle of the fabric stocks to pull them in after they're on, but don't remember where off the top of my head. Glenda. -Original Message- From: h-costume-boun...@indra.com [mailto:h-costume-boun...@indra.com] On Behalf Of Chris Laning Sent: Sunday, 5 April 2009 7:05 AM To: Historical Costume Subject: [h-cost] The fit of 17th century stockings? I'm working on a project that involves constructing some mid-17th- century stockings, and my own expertise (such as it is) is really only with earlier centuries. So far, the results I seem to be getting suggest that either (1) these stockings are *supposed* to be loose around the ankle and instep rather than closely fitted, or (2) the instructions were written by someone who really didn't know what he was doing! Both are possible, of course, but since I haven't studied 17th century fashions at all, I don't have information that would enable me to tell. Insights from people more familiar with this era would be very helpful -- backup evidence even more so ;) OChris Laning clan...@igc.org - Davis, California + http://paternoster-row.org - http://paternosters.blogspot.com ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
