Historical Clothes: English Vocabulary List

a kind of loose and long outer clothing item worn by the people of ancient Rome

"The Roman senator wears toga."

"The Roman senator wore a white wool toga draped over his tunic for the formal political ceremony."

a protective metal clothing used by soldiers in the past in order not to be harmed or injured during battles

"The knight wore heavy metal armor."

"The knight wore heavy metal armor that protected his body from swords and arrows during battle on the open field."

a sleeveless tunic worn over armor by knights during the Middle Ages

"The knight's tabard shows crest."

"The knight wore a tabard over his armor displaying his coat of arms so other soldiers could identify him in battle."

a knot or rosette of ribbons or lace worn on a hat or clothing as a badge

"The hat has a cockade."

"The revolutionary pinned a blue and white cockade to his hat as a symbol of his political allegiance."

a simple piece of cloth that covers the genitals and is worn as an undergarment

"The loincloth was simple."

"In ancient times, many cultures used a loincloth as basic protective clothing."

a cloth that covers the genital area, typically worn by men as a part of their clothing during the 15th and 16th centuries

"The codpiece was ornate."

"The historical reenactment featured a nobleman wearing an elaborate codpiece as part of his period costume."

a long, narrow piece of clothing worn around the neck, often used as a decorative accessory

"The tippet hangs from shoulders."

"She wore a fur tippet around her neck the ends of which hung down over her chest to keep warm."

a framework or padding used to create a fuller rear silhouette in skirts or dresses, popular in 19th-century fashion

"The bustle puffs out back."

"The Victorian woman wore a bustle under her skirt a framework that created a large exaggerated fullness at the back."

a type of armor made of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a protective mesh-like garment

"He wore chain mail."

"The knight's armor included a heavy suit of chain mail to protect him in battle."

a loose, sleeveless outer garment that was worn over the armor typically by knights during the medieval period

"The surcoat covers armor."

"The crusader wore a white linen surcoat over his armor to reflect the sun and keep him cooler."

a man's long coat with a fitted waist and a flared skirt that was popular in the 19th century

"The frock coat is formal."

"The gentleman wore a black frock coat a formal coat with long tails to the inauguration ceremony."

a type of leg armor worn in medieval times, consisted of fitted fabric or mail leggings that protected the lower legs and feet

"Chausses cover the legs."

"The medieval soldier wore wool chausses which were like tight trousers or leggings on his legs."

a quilted padded garment worn as protective padding underneath armor during medieval times for impact absorption and body protection in combat

"The gambeson is padded armor."

"The soldier wore a padded gambeson under his metal armor to absorb the impact of blows and prevent chafing."

a type of long tunic made of interlocking metal rings, worn as body armor during the Middle Ages

"The hauberk is chain shirt."

"The Norman soldier wore a knee length hauberk of interlocking chain mail that protected his torso and thighs."

a short, close-fitting jacket or sleeveless shirt, typically made of leather and worn as a protective garment

"The jerkin is sleeveless jacket."

"He wore a leather jerkin over his shirt as a sleeveless jacket while working in the stables."

a sleeveless, fitted tunic or overdress, often worn by women in medieval times over a skirt or under a gown for layering or modesty

"The jupon was layered."

"The medieval illustration showed a lady wearing a decorative jupon over her long skirt."

a circular band of cloth worn by high-ranking clergy over their chasuble as a symbol of their authority

"The pallium is ecclesiastical vestment."

"The archbishop wore the pallium a white woolen band with crosses as a symbol of his authority."

a fabric or lace collar worn by women in medieval times, often over the neckline of a gown or dress for coverage or adornment

"The partlet covers neck shoulders."

"The Tudor woman wore a white partlet to fill the neckline of her gown covering her chest and shoulders."

a type of men's clothing in the 16th century that were close-fitting garments covering the hips and thighs, often filled out to create a puffed, rounded appearance

"Trunk hoses are puffy shorts."

"The Elizabethan man wore puffy trunk hoses that looked like voluminous shorts covering his upper thighs."

a style of men's long, close-fitting overcoat worn for outdoor activities such as hunting or horse riding

"The newmarket is a riding coat."

"The gentleman wore a close fitting newmarket coat for riding which had a short waist and long tails in the back."

a simple tunic garment made of a single piece of fabric, draped over the body and fastened at the shoulders, worn by ancient Greek men and women

"The ancient Greek wears chiton."

"The ancient Greek woman wore a simple linen chiton a tunic gathered at the shoulders with pins and belted at the waist."

a style of women's clothing that was worn for horseback riding and includes a tailored jacket, a long skirt, and a shirt or blouse

"The riding habit has skirt."

"The woman wore a tailored riding habit a jacket and long skirt for her morning horseback ride."