Step back in time with our collection of 1600s peasant dresses. Discover the perfect dress to create a historic and fashionable outfit that will make heads turn. Explore our top ideas for a truly unique look.
The kirtle was a garment that supported the bust and created the correct silhouette for the period. It was worn over the petticoat, and from the 1540s onwards, over the farthingale. It seems that the kirtle bodice was stiffened in some way, usually with buckram. This was a stiffened linen which may have had additional stiffening consisting of some kind of “boning”.
Made in 2002 This dress was based on a picture in Hans Weigel's Trachtenbuch printed in 1577, showing a French peasant woman. It has served me well, the top photo is from 2010, and I could still have worn it if I hadn't become too fat for it. In fact I am a little fat even in the photos from 2002 below. The dress is made of yellow worsted wool and the guard at the hem and the front placket is made of dark grey-black wool flannel. I'm wearing sewn stockings of a thin wool twill in all the…