Historical Draped and Tailored Garments

Draped Garments

Himation
The himation was a cloak formed by a rectangular piece of linen or woolen fabric that could be draped in different ways. It was worn by the ancient Greeks usually over a chiton for a bit of warmth.

Image courtesy of http://www.liberograssi.it/

Sari
The sari is a women’s garment of South Asian origin (possibly dating back to 2800 BCE). It is made from a strip of woven fabric up to nine meters in length, and can be worn in several styles, the most common of which consists of wrapping one end around the waist and draping the other over the shoulder.

Photo courtesy of http://www.bridalwave.tv/

Kilt
The kilt is a knee-length skirt-like garment that has pleats in the rear and is most often made of a woolen fabric in a tartan pattern. It originated in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century as the traditional dress for men and boys.

Tailored Garments

Doublet

The doublet was a fitted buttoned jacket worn by men in Western Europe from the Middle Ages through the middle of the 17th century. King Charles IX wears one with a short cape over it in this portrait painted by François Clouet in 1583.

Breeches
Breeches were a men’s garment with a separate covering for each leg that typically ended just below the knee and were closed at its open seams by buttons, drawstrings, or straps. They were worn from the late 16th century to the early 19th century. During the French Revolution, they were a symbol of nobility, as this image displays.

Gloves
Gloves are shaped garments worn to cover the hands. Though the exact date of their origin is unknown, gloves were worn for warmth and protection for many centuries before women began to use them as fashion adornment in the 13th century. These newer versions were worn to signify elegance and sophistication. This picture shows Audrey Hepburn wearing a pair in the film version of “My Fair Lady” in 1964.