- Men’s Braies: Served functional purposes for mobility and comfort, often paired with hose.
- Women’s Chemise: Provided modesty and protection, acting as a base layer for the multiple outer garments typical of women’s fashion.
Conclusion: Medieval Underwear—A Practical Foundation
The underwear of the Middle Ages was a vital, though understated, component of medieval dress. Though largely unseen and uncelebrated, garments such as the linen chemise, braies, and kirtles played crucial roles in comfort, hygiene, and social norms.
Medieval underwear reflects broader themes in medieval life: the importance of modesty, the realities of daily labor and hygiene, and the slow evolution of fashion. Understanding these garments gives us a more complete picture of medieval clothing and culture.
While modern underwear is often associated with fashion and sensuality, medieval undergarments were, first and foremost, practical and essential pieces of everyday life. shutdown123