Fashion — Tudor; 16th century
Undershirt, vest
This child's knitted wool vest was found at Finsbury in London. It is a rare survival of a knitted garment from this period. It is seamless, suggesting it was knitted on four needles, a very old technique. Knitted shirts or vests are mentioned in a list of knitted items in an Act of Parliament of 1552 limiting the times of year that wool could be bought and sold. Poorer people could find a bargain at the second hand clothes dealers ('fripperers') in Houndsditch, but many relied on homespun woollen clothes and home-knitted vests and hose. This garment offers a rare insight into how children were protected from the cold.
The slit is down the front of the vest, allowing it to be pulled over the head.
- Category:
- Fashion
- Object ID:
- 39.108/1
- Object name:
- undershirt, vest
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Tudor; 16th century
- Material:
wool
- Measurements/duration:
- H 372 mm (neck to hem), H 424 mm (total), W 280 mm (chest), D 80 mm
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
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