I've heard this story before. I can't speak of the origins of Landsknecht
(sp?) clothing, which is said to be marked by use of many pieces of
contrasting fabric. Others on this list know more about that period and
culture, so I'll leave it to them to verify. However, the German warriors did
not invent decorative slashing of fabric, which is well attested in both
visual and written evidence at least back as far as the 14th century and
possibly earlier, in England, France, Flanders, Italy, and elsewhere.
The whole business about "this was before modern washing practices so the
fabric didn't fall apart" reflects modern assumptions about fabric behavior.
Most fabrics won't fray if cut on the bias, and a fulled wool will stay
unfrayed pretty much any way you cut it.
--Robin
On 7/22/2014 2:53 PM, Julie wrote:
I saw this on another list and I thought I'd check with the wise folks on
this list. I've never heard this before. Truth or myth?
" I took a history of fashion class in college (design major) and the
decorative cutting of clothes goes back to the 16th century if not earlier.
It started with the german warriors who would take the fine silk clothing
of the people they bested in battle but the clothing was too small (these
were evidently big guys) so they cut the pants up in decorative slashes so
that they could still wear them. (look up "landschkinects") This was of
course before the invention of the washing machine so the fabric didn't
disintegrate like it would now with modern washing practices. And the
fashion spread throughout Europe. The frayed edges of the cuts were
definitely part of the design element of it to the extent that there were
some fabrics woven to look like they had been decoratively cut...the frayed
edge duplicated with an overlaid weft that was severed after weaving (like
velvet, only in spots) and there were special chisels made for the tailors
to do the cutting with."
Thanks for your wisdom
Julie
--
Robin Netherton
Editor, Medieval Clothing and Textiles
ro...@netherton.net
voice: (314) 439-1222
Life is just a bowl of queries.
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