Inspiration for the V neck in the English Burgundian Style?

[sbuchler]

I was hit with inspiration when I was unlacing my GFD:

Comments

[sstormwatch]

Are you thinking they may have just started that style, by tucking the ends of the front under?

[sbuchler]

That hadn't occurred to me actually, though it's certainly a possibility. I was more thinking that (1) The V-necked Burgundian style overgown and it's predecessor the V-necked houpelande had been popular for 40+ years by 1470 (2) the GFD was worn under it -- so looking at the shape when the GFD is partially unlaced, it doesn't seem like such a stretch for 15th century women to say "hay, I could combine the fashionable V-neck with this other style of gown - wouldn't that be cool" (or something appropriately medieval to the same effect ;-) )

[unclrashid]

Not only am I totally buyin' into that, if you go by Anne Hollander (Seeing Through Clothes) it makes the V-neck gown self-consciously naughty!

[sbuchler]

LOL! I'm obviously going to have to re-read Hollander :-)

But yeah, I can totally see the english style overgown being self-consciously naughty -- not only is there this V neckline, but the shape is the shape of an underdress!

[gwacie]

:)

[my_stitching]

Years ago, I was at a lecture given by Robin Netherton on the 15th century burgundian dress and I seem to recall a similar theory. Not sure if she has that lecture published but it might be worth a look. :)

[sbuchler]

I attended one of her lectures that suggested the late Burgundian look was achieved by using the V neckline with the GFD construction (but flaring the dress at a higher point). Seems perfectly believable to me! especially since the V neck is so easy to achieve with a GFD!

I don't think she's published on that yet, I'll have to ask her :-)

[my_stitching]

Yes, I think you are right. It has been probably 7 or 8 years since I attended that lecture so the memory is a little bit vague.

[sbuchler]

I think it's been 6 years for me - so I may be remembering incorrectly as well :-)

[myladyswardrobe]

I noticed something similiar when I laced my effigy corset up and all of a sudden it looked *just like* the Venetian Gowns.

Its not as if particular fashions were dreamed up by a designer as they are now. Fashions evolved and one can see how we get from early Tudor to later Elizabethan by the evolution of the dress style. Likewise from drapy gown to more closely fitted styles in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries.

[sbuchler]

re Venetian -- oooh, cool! I wouldn't have thought of that :-D

re fashion evolution -- exactly! :-)