Camisole in women's collections 2016-2017

Camisole - men's clothing, with a fitted cut, just above the knees. In Russia, it was put on under Peter I, when, by decree of the emperor, Russian nobles were obliged to wear European dress.

The camisole was worn paired with a caftan. These two garments are often confused, usually referred to as a camisole caftan, although this is not at all the case. First, a shirt was put on, then a camisole, and a caftan over the camisole. Therefore, the camisole was slightly shorter and much narrower than the caftan. Initially, it had long and narrow sleeves, but gradually the sleeves disappeared and the camisole was transformed into a vest.

The caftan was knee-length, also narrow at the waist, with cuts in the center of the back and in the side seams, which increased the width of the shelves and created ease of movement, especially in horseback riding. The sleeves had wide cuffs decorated with loops, buttons, and embroidery. The caftan was always worn unbuttoned, so that the front part of the camisole was visible, which for this reason was abundantly decorated.

Camisoles were made of expensive luxurious fabric, decorated with lace, embroidery, chenille (fluffy lace) or other trimmings. However, the invisible parts of the camisole - the sleeves and the back - were made of less expensive fabric. This whole outfit besides culottes, stockings and shoes with buckles and bows, complemented by lace frill and cuffs.

However, camisoles were worn not only by men of the 17th - 18th centuries, they have long been found in women's national costumes of the peoples of Asia. The skill of the people, beauty and perfection were embodied in the costumes of Kazakh, Tatar and Bashkir women.

Costumes can tell us a lot about a person, about his character, social status, age and aesthetic tastes. It is in them that the camisole is harmoniously combined with the dress. Camisoles were made of velvet, brocade and other bright and expensive fabrics. Festive camisoles were decorated with rich embroidery with gold and silver threads, bird feathers, fur and even coins.

How does a camisole look in modern fashion? We mainly meet with the vest, which is his descendant. However, even today, famous designers, recalling the bright past of camisoles and caftans, have embodied their ideas in new collections, where these two types of clothing are trying to make up for lost time. How much this was possible is for you to judge.

Temperley London, Rachel Zoe

Photo above and below - Temperley London