What is the purpose of a chemise?

A chemise or shift is a classic smock, or a modern type of women’s undergarment or dress. Historically, a chemise was a simple garment worn next to the skin to protect clothing from sweat and body oils, the precursor to the modern shirts commonly worn in Western nations.

What was chemise a la Reine?

muslin
The gown could be made of a variety of fabrics; [cotton] muslin was the most popular, but crêpe, silk gauze, lawn, and linen were also used… The gown could be colored… [and] was usually fitted by drawstrings rather than being tailored…”

When was the chemise a la reine invented?

This article examines the crucial period between 1779 and 1784 when the muslin garment, which became known as the chemise à la reine, was developed and refined.

What was chemise made of?

Both chemise and drawers were made from cotton or linen textiles. Silk, although worn, is not as breathable for undergarments, i.e. it makes you hot. Wool, a versatile fabric, could be used but was not as common in later Victorian years.

What is a Shameez?

The word shameez derives in the usual roundabout way of languages and contexts from the French “chemise” which means “shirt”. The garment has had several avatars—in medieval Europe it was worn by both men and women.

When was the chemise a la reine popular?

The robe en chemise, also known as the chemise à la reine, became the foremost fashion by the end of the 18th century. Tortora notes that it “resembled the chemise undergarment of the period, but unlike the chemise, had a waistline and a soft, fully gathered skirt” (289).

What does the word chemise mean in English?

Definition of chemise 1 : a woman’s one-piece undergarment. 2 : a loose straight-hanging dress.

When did the chemise go out of fashion?

In the 1810s, the term came also to be applied to an outergarment. In Western countries, the chemise as an undergarment fell out of fashion in the early 20th century, and was generally replaced by a brassiere, girdle, and full slip, and panties first came to be worn.

What was a chemise in 1830s?

This chemise or shift of the 1830s has elbow-length sleeves and is worn under a corset and petticoats. Until the late 18th century, a chemise referred to an undergarment.

What is a chemise for women?

A chemise or shift is a classic smock, or a modern type of women’s undergarment or dress. Historically a chemise was a simple garment worn next to the skin to protect clothing from sweat and body oils, the precursor to the modern shirts commonly worn in Western nations.

What is a chemise dress in the 1920s called?

In the later 1910’s and 1920’s, when chemises shortened , they came to be known as camisoles, and chemise was considered an old fashioned term. Chemise Dress – the term ( with shift) for a fashionable dress that hangs straight from the shoulder with no waistline, which may have a loose sash at the waist, hips or even bust.