As some of you know, Jeff and I were scheduled to go to the UK for a Reenactor's market this weekend. We had to cancel at the last moment because our horse Bella has developed some serious health issues that require monitoring.

Because I sell mostly 15th C. goods in the UK, this cancellation leaves me with a much larger than usual stock of 15th C. doublets, hose, shirts, etc.. Rather than let them sit in the closet, I thought I'd post some of what I have here and see if anyone was interested.

I have this smooth shoulder doublet in a size Medium/42" chest for $215:

I have a number of Mahoitered doublets in a range of sizes from Small (40" chest) to XL(46" chest), mostly in black wool for $235:

I have a number of Mahoitered doublets in fancy fabrics a range of sizes from Small (40" chest) to XL(46" chest). None are exactly the same fabric as the velvet in this picture, but this gives you the idea. I have doublets in a cavalry gold damask, dark blue chenille velvet and black and gold velvet damask for $255.00:

These doublets are on the latest pattern with a shortened peplum, more refined body shape, open front, improved collar and the oh-so-fashionable puff (mahoitred) sleeve.

I have one red livery coat, melton wool fully lined in oatmeal linen, knee length, 42" chest for $225. (Sorry, no picture)

I also have lots of shirts, braies, acorn hats, shoes, etc. all in stock and ready to ship. I know there's a 15th C. event in a couple of weeks, and you could have some spiffy new clothes with just a phone call. I'll even throw in FREE SHIPPING (to the continental US/lower 48) for these, just to move some of this stuff along.

Thanks for looking!

Gwen
Black Swan Designs

Nice fabric, how historic are the textile patterns on the fancy doublets? The red one looks like it is in the spirit of some in the Van Der Weyden works. Is it based on an actual textile pattern, what about the other fancy doublets?

Can you send me a scan of the fabrics?

It's not just you. For some reason, and I think Peter had this problem before, is that with the PHP, there may be a timeout on the session.

If you have a PC, just right click on the X and call up the properties window. Copy the URL and paste it in the address field of the browser.

Smooth Shouldered Doublet

Other sleeve- you know, the puffy one

Let's see. None of the "fancy fabrics" are exact copies. I chose them because they 1) look really good, 2)are definately "in the spirit of" and 3) are affordable for a stock doublet. I figured anyone who was going to buy an off-the rack doublet would be happy with a "pretty close" fabric. This one was a custom order and in my opinion is just as close to a 15th C. design as anything Watts is selling and in some cases more so. At $25 per yard, it's -much- more affordable for the average reenactor who runs the risk of having a horse related accident (sneezing, manure stains, tears from falls) every time they go out. I have more of this fabric in this colour and also in a dull gold, so if anyone is interested please let me know and I'd be happy to send a sample. This doublet lives in the UK, so noone here needs to worry about seeing it at an event. ;

On the other hand, if anyone wants to spend $$$$$ for a reproduction fabric, I would be sincerely delighted to make you a custom doublet complete with handworked eyelets!

Of the fancy stock doublets the gold is best. The black and gold is second and the blue is last. I will try to get some scans of the fabrics posted tonight, and cross reference them to a textile in Fishbach.

Sorry about the photos, I'll see if I can't get Jeff to give me a URL that actually works.

I'm sorry to hear about Bella, my friend Rick Ford has spoken highly of her. I wish her a speedy recovery.

Yours Aye,

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Co-founder The Highland Recrudescence Guild
http://www.alaskascottish.org/hrgfound.html

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As the century wanes, the very short cotehardies for men come into vogue and it becomes more and more important to have very tall hose that cover all of the leg. It wasn't much of a jump from that to the joined hose of the 15th century.

The cotehardie is the best known of the fashionable garments at the time, though in the mid century it wasn't as extreme as it became toward the end. It's a close fitting shirt with fitted sleeves, usually buttoned down the front for men and with a shallow (sometimes wide) neckline.

Tippets were sometimes worn around the upper arms. For the mid 14th century, the cote should be about mid thigh length and the tippets tended not to be extremely long; also, the egg-shaped, possibly padded chest was not yet in vogue.

Historic Enterprises makes a good version of this sort of moderate cotehardie.

Girdles (belts), usually leather with metal or enameled decorations, were worn low on the hips. Hoods with liripipes (long extensions hanging from the back) were popular for decades.

Hope that helps!

---Diana--- www.camlann.org

[ 03-01-2005: Message edited by: Diana Peterson ]