Costume/history links of the day

[anotheranon]

The Mysterious White Thing: what is that thing she has around her shoulders? The discussion about the nature of the white band seen in some portraits of Tudor women comes up every so often on my different costuming lists; one person has even compiled a list of the most popular theories. The latest idea being floated is that it's a symbol of religous affiliation. I think it might be used to hitch up skirts.

A Concise Dictionary of Middle English: From A.D. 1150 To 1580 - free from Project Gutenberg Could be useful if I ever have the time!

Comments

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

A most intriguing mystery ... have had me pondering it since I first read your post. Of course, looking at our clothing today and seeing all the archaic odds'n-ends we still hang onto that no longer serve their original practical purpose or else have been reduced to symbolic scraps ... hell, it could be anything!

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Yes indeed - ties, IMHO, being the most obvious example.

The creator of the link above has also added discussion on the religious affiliation theory (http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/sca/tudor/whiteband-religious.html). What intrigues me more is not what it is for, necessarily, but how it is assembled and attached. I guess we'll have to go on waiting for that much wished-for costuming book, "Hey Lady! Turn Around!"

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

Looking at the paintings and sketches, I'd say that there's no single means of attachment/fastening, but multiple styles/methods/fashions (just as there is more than one way to tie those archaic neckties ***grin***)