Category: Male clothing > Body Linen

Simple medieval shirt

Simple medieval shirt

Century: XIII, XIV, 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
BMLE0003	Underwear linen	Machine-made	39.90 EUR
BMLR0002	Underwear linen	Hand-made	79.00 EUR
BMLS0001	Underwear linen	Mixed	49.00 EUR

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Medieval shirts made of linen are an essential part of a former underwear for men. Together with braies it makes a basic set for reenactors who start completing their historical costumes.

We make our medieval shirts from linen in white or natural color. On special request, we can use other colors or fabrics like silk or cotton. Medieval men’s shirts from expensive fabrics were worn mostly by higher social classes.

The presented medieval shirt consists of rectangles. It has a cut and strings under the neck. In the Middle Ages, depending on region and period, shirts could have had various finishing, differing in length, cuff, or collar. That's why on your request we can prepare a unique medieval shirt. Send us a picture of your dreamed-of medieval shirt, and we will prepare it for you.

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Our medieval shirts can be sewn in one of three standards

↪ Economic standard is sewed entirely by machine.
↪ High standard means sewing by hand.
↪ Medium standard is a mix of two: visible seams are made by hand, while the rest by machine.

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The origin of a medieval shirt

The history of shirt is very long. The archetypes of medieval men’s shirt are probably tunics from Central Asia. Tunic moved from there to Sumerians, Babylonians and Egyptians. Later, it gave rise to Greek chiton and Roman tunic. Camisia, a tunic from Gaul worn also by Teuton tribes, had a "T" letter shape, derived from the Middle East. In all Roman languages the word "shirt" comes precisely from the word "camisia".

The underwear for men and women started to differ in the 12th century. Medieval shirts for men, like the rest of clothing for men, became shorter, and female shirt was the basis of a chemise. In medieval Central Europe linen fabric was whitened by exposing it to the sunlight and pouring water, to speed up the process. An example of a medieval shirt can be found in Tacoinum Sanitatis.

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This shirt is available in standard sizes from XS to XXL or in custom size, fitted to individual measurements for additional 20% charge. To choose the proper size, please follow the chart below:

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%.

Please write down the chosen size in an additional information box when you place the order.

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The task of medieval underwear was to isolate the body from the outer woollen clothes - it was the only element of garments that was regularly washed. Usually it was made of linen, for wealthier users of silk, and in the late part of the Middle Ages of cotton. It is a basic and inseparable part of medieval clothing. Medieval men's linen consists of a shirt, braies and sometimes an underwear belt, and medieval women's linen consists of a long shirt.