16th Century:  Elizabethan Comfort/Loose Gowns

Because of the variety in terminology, this page addresses an outer gown with no waist seam,
which opens down the front of the dress (either with closures, or with false closures).
This is a comfortable style worn by all classes, has been used as a robe in film, and is a great option for maternity.

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Historical Depictions:

c. 1538: Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan, in mourning, by Hans Holbein the Younger

c. 1545: Catherine Parr (1512-1548), last and sixth wife of Henry VIII of England,

c. 1551: Herzogin Anna von Sachsen

c. 1550s: Bess of Hardwick as Mistress St Lo.

c. 1553: Infanta Caterina of Spain / Catherine of Austria

c. 1555: Elizabeth I as Princess, unknown artist.

c. 1560: Queen Elizabeth, "The Clopton Portrait"

c. 1560: Elizabeth I, artist unknown

c. 1562: Portrait thought to be Lady Knollys (maternity), by Steven van der Meulen.

c. 1563: unknown woman, thought to be Jane Wentworth, by Hans Eworth.

I'm actually not sure of this one - I think this may have a waist seam.

c. 1565-68: Unknown Lady, thought to be Lady Margaret Clifford, by Hans Eworth (a flemish painter in England)

c. 1570.

c. 1573: Lady Kytson.

c. 1578: An Unknown Lady

c. 1979: Portrait of Charlotte de Bourbon, by Daniël van den Queborn

Extant Images, Illustrations

Examples on Film:

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Patterns:

Margo Anderson: Elizabethan Comfort Gown & Kirtle Pattern. $32.

Reconstructing History: Elizabethan Loose Gowns & Kirtle Pattern. $35.

Patterns of Fashion, The Cut and construction of clothes for men and women, c. 1560-1620, by Janet Arnold (book)