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| 16th Century Gowns An album of images for use in choosing a 16th century gown. |
| The first set of possibilities is the older long gown which came into fashion at the very end of the 15th century and was worn by men of fashion to the early years of the 16th century. It continued to be worn as a ceremonial robe well into the 17th century. Such gowns did not much structure and had rather loose and shapeless sleeves. The collar has a rather V shape and may be of fur or velvet |
| Choice number two is the more structured, more "Henrician" gown, often short, but not always. Here we see more definite tailoring and a wider variety of wider sleeves. The collar has merged with the revers to form wide lapel This gown, often called a simmar, or chamarre, is so strongly masculine with its emphasis on the breadth of the shoulders, that it almost becomes a caricature of manliness. |
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| 1533 The French Ambassadors by Hans Holbein |
| 1533 The French Ambassadors by Hans Holbein |
| 1533 Sir Brian Tuke by Hans Holbein |
| 1539 Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk by Hans Holbein |
| 1593 Family of Sir Thomas Moore by Rowland Locksley based on Hans Holbein sketch of 1527 |
| 1530s King Francis I of France and his court by unknown artist |