Early Gothic Clothing

Thdress

The early Gothic era began in 1200 A.D. and lasted until 1350 A.D. The clothing evolved into more elegant attire than the previous Romanesque period. Women's necklines were lower and sleeves were much tighter. The Gothic period is notable for some key pieces of clothing.
Cote-Hardie

·                                 A cote-hardie tunic was tight around the shoulders, hips and waist and made from cotton or linen. When a woman wore this, it would stop at her hips. It featured scalloped edges and was laced in either the front or back.

Pourpoint

·                                 A pourpoint, also known as a paltock, was a linen jacket with tight sleeves. It was worn under a cote-hardie. The pourpoint buttoned from the wrist up to the elbow.

       Thdress

Houppelande

·                                 A houppelande was a loose, cotton gown worn by both men and women. It had long bell-shaped sleeves, a fitted waist and a long skirt with a slit than ran up to the knee. It also had a high collar that stood up.

Sideless Surcote

·                                 The sideless surcote was a women's dress that was cut away under the arms and all the way down to the hips. The cote-hardie, or the kirtle, could then be seen underneath. She could also wear a plastron, or leather shell, in the front.

Diapering

·                                 Diapering was when upper class people sewed gems and jewels onto clothing as an elegant decoration. These could be placed in a random pattern or an elaborate design. Diamond shapes were popular.

Liripipe

·                                 The liripipe was a cotton strip of material that hung down the back like a tail, with the other end draped under the chin and across one shoulder

       Thdress