1 FABRICS AND LAYERING REFLECTED SOCIAL STANDING
The types of material used in clothing reflected the hierarchy of Tudor society. Linen and wool were worn by all people, with the best types of wool and silk reserved for the wealthiest. In the 16th century, an ordinary woman would wear a kirtle over a linen undergarment called a smock; a wealthy woman might also wear a petticoat. A kirtle comprised top and bottom sections – a slit and laced bodice, incorporating stiff canvas for support, plus a full skirt with a front slit -fitted to each woman’s measurements, with different tailors catering to rich and poor.
More affluent women displayed their wealth through layered clothing
