The Elusive Smock
One aspect of the underpinnings that does somehow elude some, is the humble yet essential smock. Smock, shift, slip, camisole, chemise, what ever you decide to call it, it is the undergarment of the undergarments. Now don't go running of scared just yet. I know that this photo of me isn't the most flattering, but it does warrant further investigation.
The style I favor is mid to late C16 Venetian dress, as if you hadn't figured that out by now. As the chemise is visible under the lacing and a placket or stomacher is not the norm in this dress code the normal sequence of dressing had to be reconsidered. As you have seen in the previous page. There really does need to be something between your corset and you. Hence a smock.
These images all support the argument for a smock style garment similar to that which I wear under my corset. The exact cut and make is something of conjecture at the moment, but I have no doubt that they would have had as many ways of making one of these as they did the more often seen chemise / camicia.
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| Flogging a Spanish female criminal 1532 from the Trachenbuch. | Flogging a Spanish female criminal 1532 from the Trachenbuch. | This is the Effigy Corset of Queen Elizabeth I. My good friend Mistress Mathilde assures me that the small gathered item just visible under and at the of the corset is one of these smock type garments. She has seen it up close and personal. |
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| Detail from The Healing of the Madman 1496 Gallerie dell' Accademia, Venice Vittore CARPACCIO. This image shows the household laundry out to dry. Items include a Chemise or Camicia, central two on the bottom row, and, a smock, seen left bottom row. | Further detail from The Healing of the Madman showing the smock only. Appears to have very thin straps possibly ties. | Extant C14 smock, location and origins unknown. from Kohler C. A History of Costume Dover publications |
All intellectual content, composition, layout, designs and photographs, unless otherwise noted are copyright 2007 to Deborah Lane ©, or, copyright 2003 to Deborah Murray © also known as Mistress Oonagh O'Neill ©. All Original renaissance art works and artefacts are not copyright to Deborah Murray, and are shown for educational use only . If you see something you'd really like to use, please contact me!