Category: Male clothing > under garments

Late medieval vest

Late medieval vest

Century: XV

CODE	Material	Standard ? × SPES products - technology & methods of manufacturing Machine-made standard - products with visible signs of using modern methods and tools in their production; e.g. visible outside and inside seams in clothing made with the use of a machine. Mixed standard - products with visible signs of using both modern and traditional methods and tools in their production; e.g. main, inside seams in clothing are made with the use of a machine while outside stitches and details are sewn by hand. Hand-made standard - goods with visible signs of using only traditional methods and tools in their production; e.g. all seams in clothing are sewn by hand. *NOTE. We always use high quality materials and fabrics while making our products - the above standards of their production are not related to the materials used.	Price
NoS1579	Linen	Mixed	125.00 EUR
NoS1580	Linen	Machine-made	85.00 EUR
NoS1581	Linen	Hand-made	180.00 EUR

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A frequent element of late medieval attire was a vest, tied at the front with three aiglets. It does not have a collar, and the neckline is cut in the letter "V" on the back. Its length and cut resembles a late doublet and just like it, is equipped with a peplum with holes for attaching separate hose or a suspender belt.

It differs from it in the way of tying aiglets. The two upper ones are fixed pointwise, while the third, lower one, fastens the peplum and the waist. Thanks to this procedure, the vest fits much better to the shape of the male figure, emphasizing its qualities.

This medieval costume was most often worn by working people, in combination with a shirt with rolled up sleeves. In later years, it became the basic item of clothing for Renaissance ladies and mighty at courts.

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The vest is available in 6 sizes, XS to XXL, or in custom size for an extra charge:

Size	Chest girth	Waist girth	Hips girth	Height
XS	84-92 cm	72-80 cm	88-96 cm	164-170 cm
S	92-100 cm	80-88 cm	96-104 cm	170-176 cm
M	100-108 cm	88-96 cm	104-112 cm	176-182 cm
L	108-116 cm	96-104 cm	112-120 cm	182-188 cm
XL	116-124 cm	104-112 cm	120-128 cm	188-194 cm
XXL	124-132 cm	112-120 cm	128-136 cm	194-200 cm
Custom	Individual measurements. Price + 20%.

The late medieval vest has a lining and made of linen. The colors of the available materials can be found HERE.

It can be made of wool, silk or brocade. For this purpose, please contact us in advance to arrange the details.

If you do not want holes on the vest, please leave a guideline in "additional information".

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Are there any sources for a medieval vest?

Yes, and there are quite a few of them. The vest can be found on manuscripts from the 15th century and the following centuries. The most popular image of a working man wearing a vest is the one from The Book of Simple Medicines by Matthaeus Platearius d.c. 1161 c.1470, Robinet Testard from the late 15th century.

Another pattern of this type of costume, with a characteristic method of tying (pointwise + around), comes from a manuscript from 1485, p.t. Les Heures de Charles d'Angoulême. A very similar image of men working in shirts with rolled up or short sleeves, short pants, and vests can be found in Hours of Henry VIII illuminated by Jean Poyer and dated to 1500.