Pelotte

By Crusader1307

The Pelotte was a dress style closely associated with early Anglo-Saxon culture in the early 12th Century. Migrating to England with William The Conqueror, The Pelotte resembled an inverted "T". This style was adopted by Noblewomen. The Upper Bodice was a slender, tubular Sleeve in which a female was "expected" to be able to "fit" into. This component of the dress featured no sleeves in it's design. The back was open and secured to the body by a series of interlocking cloth or leather straps/cords. This binding process wad known as "Belting". The remainder of the dress extended downward and was free flowing. In construction, The Pelotte was made from flax hardened linen (and later wool). As time progressed, fine silks were incorporated. Initial designs featured no embellishments. This was later changed to often show intricate embroidered designs and imagery. Because of the Upper Bodice style (sleeveless), The dress was worn over a tunic-like under garment. These "shirt-like" designs extended often to the full length of the dress. Coloring was originally plain  (but were later color matched to the dress itself). The Pelotte would be the basic for later more recognized female fashions of the 14th Century forward.