Post by wolfie on Feb 18, 2008 0:04:20 GMT -5
As a writer attempting a historical novel (not a mushy romance per se, though) and an avid costumer, I seem to have come across a bit of a conundrum. Allow me a bit of background first, to explain further my mass confusion in the subject.
I grew up in a household of reenactors, specifically of the furtrade and Revolutionary periods. I'm not unfamiliar with the various states of dress and undress of varying ages in this time period, as well as the varieties of dress, from buckskin, native dress, European dress, and settler dress. I am also a Renaissance and medieval reenactor, not quite so picky in my dressing but still picky enough to wear close to appropriate garments. I have also worked at two Western museums, dressing in full late Victorian and early Edwardian dress, from the inside out. So I am not unfamiliar with men and women's underthings from these periods as well.
Thus I am GREATLY, and amusedly, confused by the lack of *mention* of men's undergarments of the Regency period. All of the online resources I've seen, books I have personally or read in the library, mention only that they wore them, not what they looked like, were made out of or even a pictorial example. Did they merely wear the same underclothes styles as the generation before? Perhaps garments similar to those worn during the Revolutionary period? Seems wrong, though, as the garments worn then, and the garments worn in the Regency period, are drastically different. I cannot see how they would be comfortable with that much extra material underneath already tight-fitting clothing, especially the pants. I am also having difficulty with the thought of briefs versus boxers...definitely not period to my knowledge. *chuckle*
I know men had to have worn underclothes then. I personally would not want to wear wool trousers without something between it and my skin, no matter how fine the wool. I realize the Scots may have done so, but the Scots, forgive me my dearest ancestors, were nuts! *grin*
Could someone please alleviate my confusion, offer some links, books, anything, to calm my nerves? I'm actually flummoxed by this. If I hadn't been writing a scene where my non-European character was being dressed in European attire, I would never have paid much attention to my sad neglect in information regarding men's underclothes! *laughs*
Thank you!
Wolfie
I grew up in a household of reenactors, specifically of the furtrade and Revolutionary periods. I'm not unfamiliar with the various states of dress and undress of varying ages in this time period, as well as the varieties of dress, from buckskin, native dress, European dress, and settler dress. I am also a Renaissance and medieval reenactor, not quite so picky in my dressing but still picky enough to wear close to appropriate garments. I have also worked at two Western museums, dressing in full late Victorian and early Edwardian dress, from the inside out. So I am not unfamiliar with men and women's underthings from these periods as well.
Thus I am GREATLY, and amusedly, confused by the lack of *mention* of men's undergarments of the Regency period. All of the online resources I've seen, books I have personally or read in the library, mention only that they wore them, not what they looked like, were made out of or even a pictorial example. Did they merely wear the same underclothes styles as the generation before? Perhaps garments similar to those worn during the Revolutionary period? Seems wrong, though, as the garments worn then, and the garments worn in the Regency period, are drastically different. I cannot see how they would be comfortable with that much extra material underneath already tight-fitting clothing, especially the pants. I am also having difficulty with the thought of briefs versus boxers...definitely not period to my knowledge. *chuckle*
I know men had to have worn underclothes then. I personally would not want to wear wool trousers without something between it and my skin, no matter how fine the wool. I realize the Scots may have done so, but the Scots, forgive me my dearest ancestors, were nuts! *grin*
Could someone please alleviate my confusion, offer some links, books, anything, to calm my nerves? I'm actually flummoxed by this. If I hadn't been writing a scene where my non-European character was being dressed in European attire, I would never have paid much attention to my sad neglect in information regarding men's underclothes! *laughs*
Thank you!
Wolfie
They had machine knitting for stockings at this early date. You could get a pretty snug fitting pair of breeches over silk stockingette drawers and obtain a fairly smooth look, I should think. Also shown in the book is a pair of knee length flannel (that’s wool by the way) drawers with ties at the back waist and knees. These are c. 1805. 
Where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong? ~ Jane Austen 
But the trousers were alright and so was I, thankfully.