Houpelande

A Houpelande (also houpland, houppelande) is an outer garment worn c1356-1450 (most fashionable late in this period) in England, France, Italy and more northerly parts of Europe. The garment is characterised by a very full body which extends outwards gaining fabric from the shoulders, and is then belted into pleats to contain its fullness somwhat. Houpelandes generally have very silly sleeves which widen from the shoulder, often ending in fancy patterned dags, or they may be gathered into a cuff at the wrist leaving a very puffy sleeve.

Men's houpelandes reached only mid thigh, worn above hose, while women's houpelandes extended to the floor. To properly recreate a man's houpelande, a doublet should normally be worn under this garment to create the right silhouette.

User's note:: These can be immensely heavy to wear, especially if under-garments are also worn. Imagine carrying a winter overcoat suspended from your shoulders (the waist belt simply controls the thing's ability to swing into people's way: it doesn't reduce the weight) all day long, indoor and out.

External links

• http://www.damehelen.com/houpe/index.html
• http://www.historiclife.com/Essays/Houppelands.htm
• http://www.virtue.to/articles/circle_houp.html
• http://home.james-gang.org/greydove/docs/houpburg.pdf
• http://moas.atlantia.sca.org/wsnlinks/index.php?action=displaycat&catid=286