Renaissance Fair in Texas

Have you ever thought of what women wear underneath their clothes for fashion and/or function? I am amazed at what women wear these days to uplift their bosoms, down play their extra cushioning in other areas and so on. However, that is nothing compared to what women before modern times had to wear.

I was recently at a gathering in Texas at which I met a woman who is actively involved in Renaissance or Medieval Festivals and Fairs. We were discussing the garments women during that period wore and which women in Medieval costumes wear at these events. This woman told me first a lady would wear something of an under dress, made of a material similar to a course linen.

Ouch, what no 100% soft cotton next to my privies? Then there would be a corset or girdle around the waist, which would be pulled tight as to make the waist look very small and the bosom big. Do you remember Pirates of the Caribbean when Kiera Knightley’s character fainted because she couldn’t breathe due to her tight corset. This thin waist was the popular look of the period. Yikes! (I would not be popular if that was the case.)

Over the corset would be another garment which was basically another full dress acting as what we would now use as a slip over our bra and panties. However, it was not made of light weight cool material. Then there would be the outer garment, in some cases a surcoat which would be the ornamental portion of the dress made of finely decorated material. Beyond that would be veils, gloves, decorative collars, and wraps, which were necessary to keep up appearances and ladylike demureness. (Demure, what’s that?)

And with all their clothing they sweated a lot. When I told my new friend about BraMates she had to have a pair, and she left the gathering with a bunch of my business cards telling me that her renaissance fair friends would be buying some soon.

After hearing of what these women would wear I laugh at myself and women today. We have nothing on these historical women. I thank God I live in a country and time where women are free to work, vote, think for themselves, and to choose to wear comfortable clothes or uncomfortable clothes for fashion or function. God bless America.

I’ve included a video of a renaissance fair so that you can see what those women had to do in the old days to look good!