You will find several variation of construction of this outfit. It is refered to in German Recreatator circles as the Cranach gown because most of Cranach's paintings have this style and the gown is refered to as the Saxon Gown because the style is mostly seen in paintings associated with Saxony.
http://www.alyxxndon.com/Alyxx/SaxonDiary.htm Portraits http://frazzledfrau.glittersweet.com/1500.htm http://frazzledfrau.glittersweet.com/1510.htm http://frazzledfrau.glittersweet.com/1520.htm http://frazzledfrau.glittersweet.com/1530.htm I have seen a white "bib"/plastron(?) attached to the front section (side to side) of the skirt leaving openings on the sides of the skirt to reach under for a pouch. The bodice connected to the back section of the skirt acts like a jacket and comes around and laces in the white "bib". The fancy, usually embroidered band can be attached to the "bib" or can be a strip that is attached to the jacket. These are a few person's theories http://tinyurl.com/n45u86 http://www.booksnthreads.com/Costumes/ren/german_ren.html http://www.gildedgarb.com/german.htm http://costumes.glittersweet.com/sca/1520.htm -----Original Message----- Despite looking at a lot of paintings, I am still puzzled about the waist closure of early Renaissance gowns. For example, here: http://www.marquise.de/en/1500/pics/1525_2.shtml and detail here: http://www.marquise.de/images/1500/1525_2d1.jpg Usually the join between the opening of the bodice and the skirt waistband, if there is one, is obscured by hands, an apron, a belt, folds of fabric, etc. So how does this dress close without there being a gap at the waist, either horizontal or vertical? Has anyone figured this out? Thanks, Joan @ _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume