Burgundian Noblemen's Underclothes c1445-1475

Figures 47-56 above have no visible fastening. These may be fastened with discrete
lacing like in figure 57 (which is slightly later then our period of interest) or they may
have small self-fabric button closures. Figure 58 shows a man with a single button
closure at the wrist. There are multiple pictures of women with skin tight sleeves that
have a row of small buttons along their outer arm; buttons that are only noticeable when
the picture is enlarged farther then is usually seen in modern art books. Men’s fashion
may have employed this option as well.
Figure 7.59
Ca. 1440-45 Rogier van der Weyden, Visitation of Mary (detail)
There is an almost equally common option for achieving the skin-tight sleeve: a slit up
the side/back of the arm that is held closed with a decorative lacing pattern:
Figure 7.60
1457 King Rene's Book of Love Folio
25v
Figure 7.63
1460-70 Flanders, Histoire de la Belle
Helene
Figure 7.61
1457 King Rene's Book of Love
Folio 31v
Figure 7.64
Figure 7.62
Brussles, Master of the
Legend of St Barbara,
unknown couple
37