Women

 

Here's a brief overview of the items of women's clothing that might have been worn during the mid 17th Century - 

 

Smock (shift, chemise) - basic item of underwear. Simple in construction, usually made from linen. Could be worn to sleep in.

Stockings (hose) - held up with garters at the knee. Could be sewn from cloth or knitted from wool or silk.

Pair of bodies (stays, corset) - stiffened with dried reeds ('bents') or whalebone. Might have separate detachable sleeves. Could include matching stomacher and busk - see below.

Bum roll - modest padding around the hips might have been worn to support heavy skirts. 

Petticoat - all skirts during the 17th Century. Several could be worn at one time and tucked up, split and/or pinned back to display the petticoat worn underneath. Some lower class petticoats might have stiff bodies attached.

Waistcoat (jacket, bodice) - main item of clothing worn on the upper body. Usually had sleeves.

Stomacher - stiffened triangular piece could be inserted down the centre front of the waistcoat to hide functional lacing. Might include a wooden busk to keep posture straight.

Gown - worn on formal occasions, especially by married women . Always worn over a petticoat and usually bodies with sleeves attached or waistcoat underneath.

Hungerline? - over waistcoat, worn with some form of bodice with sleeves underneath. Possibly a more informal alternative to a gown. 

Partlet - modesty piece made from linen covering chest and neck area.

Band, gorget, whisk, pinner, tucker, kerchief - all types of linen collar, separate items pinned or sewn temporarily to other pieces of clothing. Several could be worn together.

Sleeve bands (cuffs) - made from linen, like collars were separate items pinned or sewn in place.

Coif (cap) - linen headwear worn by most women (especially if married) unless hair was fashionably dressed.

Forehead cloth/cross cloth - triangular piece of linen worn under or over a coif. Might be made to match a coif (same fabric, embroidery, lace etc)

Chaperone (hood) - separate article. Made full and wide so as to not crush fashionable styled hair underneath. Made from linen, and possibly lace edged - for indoor wear, or wool, velvet or silk fabrics for outdoor wear. More fashionable head wear than a coif.

Hats - various styles worn, usually over linen coif. Made from felted fur or wool, and straw for summer.

Apron - worn by all working class women, and starting to be worn by higher status women for decorative purposes.

Latchets (shoes) - made straight lasted (no left or right - can be worn on either foot). Might have a raised heel.