Renaissance France
Women's Clothing Overview
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Clothing by Class:
Royalty and Nobility
Undergarments
The main undergarment was the chemise of fine linen or lawn. The chemise is generally white in color.

Around 1500, the chemise had a square neck that was close to the neckline of the gown. The sleeves were tight fitting and the wrists were plain. As the dress design changed, the chemise began to have baggy sleeves, gathered wrists and ruffled cuffs. The next change involved the chemise having a high gathered neckline and pleated or standing collar.

The later infamous ruffs were actually seperate pieces and  will be covered under accessories
Main Garments
The main over gown evolved dramatically between the beginning and end of the sixteenth century. 

At the beginning of the century, the gown was relatively simple with sparse decoration and often monochromatic.Many of these gowns were front opening. The gown bodice and skirt appeared seamless in the front, and pieced/pleated in the back. The sleeves were integral to the gown. Under the overgown was a fitted kirtle which was essentially a dress that was tightly fitted through the torso and a full skirt. Naturally as this was a garment that was not meant to be seen, there is little evidence of what these garments exactly looked like.
Anne of Brittany
An example of a French Gown c. 1505
The earlier gown then evolved after 1515  to often include a split skirt (with decorative forepart) and long, voluminous sleeves. The bodice became a separately cut piece from the skirt. The sleeves were folded back to show sumptuous lining like velvet or fur.  The gown also had decorative fore sleeves which could be detachable and interchangable. The neckline opened up and began to have beaded and jeweled necklines. The gown could either close at the back or have a mostly concealed front-opening. The front opening may have been covered by a plastron--a stiffened front which was sewn or pinned onto the dress to hide the lacing.
Anne de Pisseleu de Heilly Diane de Poiters
The later picture of Anne de Pisseleu de Heilly (below) shows the change in neckline--a more exagerated curve. The standing collar of the chemise. The sleeves are fuller and puffed. Notably, this gown leaves the lower portion of the chemise sleeves exposed.
Anne de Pisseleu de Heilly
Headwear
Initially, the French hood was merely a black veil modestly embellished and pinned on top of a close fitting cap. (See the pictures of Anne of Brittany above)

This soon evolved into a fitted headdress. The crescent moon crown could be embellished with pearls or jewelry (called billiments) and the black veil became smaller and attached at the back. Unlike the English and German counterparts, the French hood revealed the woman's hair. How scandalous! (See the pictures of Anne de Pisseleu de Heilly above)
Shoes
Accessories
Partlets were used to add additional variety to an outfit. Catherine de Medici (Queen of France)  is wearing what looks like a pearl and jewelled lattice partlet on top of her chemise. She is holding a feather fan which must be more decorative than utilitarian. In addition, she is wearing a jeweled choker.
Catherine de Medici
Merchant/Artisan Class
Undergarments
A simple chemise of linen would be typical.
Main Garments
Outerwear
Headwear
Shoes
Accessories
Peasants
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