18cNewEnglandLife
Clothing & Accoutrements

Quilted Bodice
and it’s incorrect counter part the sleeveless bodic

The quilted bodice would be a welcome addition to a women’s wardrobe on a cold day, the equivalent to today’s silk or thermal underwear.  Several examples may be found including those in, Costume in Detail  by Nancy Bradfield,  and The Cut of Women’s Clothes 1600-1930 by  Norah Waugh. These examples of extant garments show a sleeveless bodice with lower skirts or basques that are beautifully quilted with a wool fleece inner core.  They are cut is such a way and fitted closely  to the body to allow for a fit under a women’s gown. 

Link to Sally Queen’s website for Sharon Burnston’s in depth article and photographs of the one that she has made for herself.  www.sallyqueenassociates.com/waistct.htm  

Beware!     Somewhere in modern history the concept of the sleeveless bodice was born.  Perhaps in an effort to provide a simple low-cost garment for the re-enactor market, the garment has been found in large numbers, and has been worn as though it were meant to be an outer garment.  Often made of cotton fabrics it isn’t sold as a quilted garment at all.  It has been given names and styles variations, such as a French or English bodice, but these garments have no basis in fact for a person particularly of English decent.  One has never been found to exist as a garment or in print.  The detailed lists of belongings in advertisements, taken by runaways, haven’t yielded anything to describe the non-quilted, or sleeveless bodice.  Look to 18^th century primary source documentation and that which is pertinent to the role you are dressing for here in New England.  I've yet to see anyone reenact the 'dressing chambre' scenes by artists such as Jean Baptist Grueze!

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