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More Fashionable Vocabulary

A Tailor 1563

A nightgown is called a night rail, presuming you sleep in something besides your shift or your nudity. A veil is also a head rail.

The ties on your shirt (etc.) are called points. The metal tags on the ends of the points are called aiglets (agg-lets).

Your sleeves are trussed (tied) to your doublet with points.

Your hoop skirt is called a farthingale.

Ruffs come as a suite—collar and cuffs.

Pockets are period. So are functional buttonholes. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Fabric comes on a folder instead of on a bolt.

Fashionable Expenses

An account for the making of a man's doublet (including sleeves), breeches, and cloak in 1595 shows the tailor being paid 14 shillings for his work.

The cost for materials came to almost £14 for velvet, fustian (for lining), double taffeta, gold braid and gold lace (at 10s. an ounce), silk for lining and hose, and 3 dozen buttons for the doublet.

Good velvet went for 12s per yard in 1536 and 26s per yard (24-30" wide) in 1565. It was certainly more than that in 1580.

Seed pearls, bought in bulk for use on gowns, cost a penny apiece.

::  Money: the Basics
::  Patronage: Retinue, Companions, & Livery
::  A Fashionable Vocabulary: Clothing & Fabrics
::  Random Bits & Pieces


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28 March 2008 mps