Female Indoor Garments

Once indoors, the lady changed just like the gentleman into more comfortable garments. She changed her heavy robes for a house-dress, her high heeled shoes for mules and the fontange (in the latter part of the period) for a much simpler coif or lace cap. The dress which was worn indoors was usually shaped like a jacket, open at the front, and reached down to the floor. The house garment, as well as the caps, were richly decorated with lace. Again, corresponding to the dressing gown which the man was wearing indoors, these house garments were not only meant to be seen by family members, but were also worn when informally receiving visitors and such. It was often touched up by a small decorative apron.

Contents © N. Kipar 1997