EARLY 16THC SPANISH FASHION

These first images show the possible start of the Farthingale, as hoops that appear on the outsides of skirts. The first two show Isabel the Catholic in a high waisted gown. The undergown is also highwaisted and possibly has hoops on the outside of the skirt. As the skirt is highwaisted the legend that it was she who introduced hops into fashion because she was concealing a pregnancy has a bit more merit than I previously thought. Hoops from under the bust would indeed produce a rigid outline over the belly and disguise any swelling. The second set of images show the hoops on the outside of the gown. They are from around 1470.

These images are from the end of the 15thC, maybe just the start of the 16thC.

This image is actually a much later portrait by Pantoja de la Cruz and appears to be of Isabella of Portugal.



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