~ Renaissance ~

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m1560

~ Italian noble woman's dress  ~

The inspiration and pattern to this dress is found in the book: ”Patterns of Fashion. The cut and construction of clothes for men and women c1560 –1620” by Janet Arnold.

The dress was owned by Eleonora de Toledo (1522-1562) http://www.his.com/~lola/renaissance/eleonora.html

There are several pictures of Eleonora in this kind of dress, and she was buried in one.

My dress is made of green velvet and decorated with golden ribbon and pearls. The chemise has very wide sleeves and is round low-necked. Over the smock I wear a corset, and a frathingale, and petticoat with a forepart. A green velvet skirt with train and open at the front is used. The skirt can be closed. The skirt is decorated with golden ribbons.

The bodice is laced at the side of the back. The sleeves are tied to the bodice with help of golden ribbons and pearl-buttons. The sleeves are in two parts and are tied together with pearl-buttons. The chemise can be seen between the buttons.

I use a small brimless hat with a veil. The hat is decorated with pearls. Some times I have a hairstyle with pearls in my head instead of the hat.