For this outfit, we drew inspiration from early Renaissance paintings. We set up a beautiful table with a still life and acted out several domestic scenes between the lady of the house and her servant.
Curious about the other characters in this outfit?
Cotehardie Dress
The cotehardie was a popular form of clothing worn by both men and women in the Middle Ages. It was a fitted garment that covered the body from the shoulders to the ankles. Originally, the cotehardie emerged in the 14th century in Western Europe and became increasingly popular throughout the 15th century.
For women, the cotehardie usually had a fitted silhouette, with emphasis on the waist. The garment featured long sleeves and a high neckline. The hem of the dress could vary from just above the ankles to the ground, depending on the fashion and social status of the wearer.
Belt
The buckle of the belt is based on an original made between 1390 and 1420 and found in Newhamptonshire, England.
Shoes
The shoes are based on various examples from the 12th to 15th centuries.
Necklace
Pearl necklaces were especially beloved by the nobility and upper classes, because pearls were rare and precious. They were hand-harvested from oysters and were difficult to obtain. This made pearls a symbol of luxury and prosperity.
Undergarment
The undergarment used is a bath dress based on an image from the Wenceslas Bible. The bath dress or baignoire was usually made from lightweight fabrics such as linen and was often worn between the 14th and 16th centuries under regular clothing.
Tub
In this outfit, we wanted to reflect the bathing ritual of a lady. In the photos we use a tub, but women of high social status would more likely use a bathtub.
Pitcher
A pitcher was used to pour water into the bathtub or tub, or to wash oneself. Pitchers or bowls were used to rinse the body and wash off soap or herbal mixtures.
