Medieval Shift Dress Burglinde with Trumpet Sleeves, natural-coloured
This loosely tailored, floor-length medieval dress is made of light cotton. The skirt piece is fitted with side gores (wedge-shaped / triangular pieces of fabric), allowing for a generous flare. It has a wide-cut neckline so as to remain concealed under the outer garment at neck level. The sleeves feature a lacing for individual adjustment. At first fairly close-fitting on the upper arm, they fall into a particularly wide flare that give them their characteristic trumpet shape. This shift can be worn under a surcoat, a cotehardie or a bliaut.
Outer garments and chemises or shifts with substantially flared sleeves made their appearance around the 12th century. They were not only worn for fashion purposes but also as a symbol of higher social status, as wide sleeves were not suitable for the labouring classes. In the 12th / 13th century, men and woman alike would wear plain shifts with trumpet sleeves as undergarment to better preserve their increasingly form-fitting, often richly adorned outer garb. The shift usually did not show under the outer clothing, as it would have been considered inappropriate. 12th century illustrations of wide-cut sleeves can be found amongst others on the fresco showing Sant'Elena in the basilica of San Lorenzo in Milan or in the illuminated encyclopedia Hortus Peliciarum (ca. 1180).
In the 15th century, shifts with trumpet sleeves could also be worn under a short-sleeved cotehardie (a snug-fitting dress or kirtle with lacings or a button closure down the centre front) and were hence meant to be visible as integral part of the outfit. Historical illustrations of wide-cut sleeves of this time period can be found for example in Gerard David's painting Madonna with Angels and Saints.
Details:
- Available sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Colour: natural-coloured (also available: blue, black)
- Material: 100% cotton
- Length overall size M: approx. 150 cm (measured from the highest shoulder point down to the bottom hem)
- Care instructions: Machine wash at 40°C, gentle cycle, do not tumble dry
| Size Chart - Women - Dress |
| Size |
S |
M |
L |
XL |
XXL |
| Chest Circumference (in cm) |
88 |
96 |
104 |
116 |
128 |
|
How to find the right size:
To take your body measurements correctly in order to determine you clothing size, please always wrap the measuring tape horizontally around your body at the fullest part. For dresses, sizes are based on your chest circumference.
If you happen to fall between two sizes, we recommend that you go up a size.
Ease is included in the pattern and reflected in the finished measurements.
Please note:
Delivery includes the dress only! The other items pictured above are available separately in our online shop.
As authentic as possible, as modern as necessary!
This medieval dress is part of Battle-Merchant's line of period clothing and medieval garments for men, women and children. From the first sketch to the last stitch, this garment was planned, designed and handcrafted with particular attention to detail. Our clothes are modeled (sometimes accurately, sometimes less so) on historical examples, grave finds and original museum pieces where they exist. We always endeavour to keep the necessary adjustments to today's standards, e.g. in terms of size and manufacturing process, to a minimum. Just see for yourself!