A Kirtle
25th February 2026 by | Uncategorized
What Is This?
An object from The Reflection in the Mirror (1540)
A Kirtle
A kirtle was a fitted garment worn close to the body, forming the foundation of a woman’s clothing in the sixteenth century. It could be worn on its own in private or working settings, or beneath a gown when dressed more formally.
Typically made from wool, linen, or silk depending on status and wealth, the kirtle provided warmth, shape, and structure. It was often sleeveless or short-sleeved and fastened at the front or side. The bodice supported the figure, while the skirt fell from the waist, sometimes visible beneath an outer gown.
In The Reflection in the Mirror, the kirtle represents the unseen layers of Tudor life — the garments worn closest to the skin, known intimately by the wearer but rarely remarked upon by others.
It reminds us that Tudor clothing was built in layers, just as identity, rank, and survival were built day by day.