More Fashionable VocabularyA 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 ExpensesAn 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
28 March 2008 mps |