~ Renaissance ~

m1500-30 
.
~ German noble costume ~

The source of inspiration for this German noble dress is several different paintings of German princesses , biblical and allagorical motives by Lucas Cranach the Elder and one anonymous painting of Margareta Vasa (painted 1528). She was one of the sisters of the swedish king Gustav Vasa. That kind of dress with that big hat with feathers was something that I would like to have.

I have designed my costume in the following way.
I have a sleeveless kirtle under a doublet with sleeves. The doublet is laced in the front. The kirtle is laced in the back. Under the kirtle I wear a corset made after the corset worn by the Queen Elizabeth's effigy. (http://costume.dm.net/effigy.htm) It is a bit to late in the period for the dress, but it gives a tremendous support, and it is not seen. Closest to the body a smock with very wide sleeves and round low necked. Two petticoats in linen are carried under the kirtle. One is white and one is red. The Kirtle and doublet is made of dark green wool with silk decorations.

The hat is made of the same green wool fabric as the kirtle, and is decorated with ostrich feathers.

I love to wear this dress, and with that big hat I easily can be seen. Specially as I am 180 cm tall.