Later, with the French Revolution and afterwards, women started to wear long-legged underpants to shield themselves under diaphanous dresses, but it took decades for such pants-like underwear to gain wide acceptance among the upper classes and even longer among the common people. Among these textiles were items of underwear dating to the late 15th century. References and images of women's underclothing are scanty at best, with it generally being thought that women wore nothing at all under their dresses other than the chemise or smock which was made of plain, white linen. Panniers or side hoops are women's undergarments worn in the 17th and 18th centuries to extend the width of the skirts at the side while leaving the front and back relatively flat. This provided a panel where woven patterns, elaborate decorations and rich embroidery could be displayed and fully appreciated.
By Tim Lambert
Women's Jobs in the 17th Century
In the 17th century some women had jobs. Some of them worked spinning cloth. Women were milliners, dyers and embroiderers. There were also washerwomen. Some women worked in food preparation such as brewers, bakers or confectioners. Women also sold foodstuffs in the streets. A very common job for women was domestic servant. Other women were midwives and apothecaries.
However most women were housewives and they were kept very busy. Most men could not run a farm or a business without their wife's help.
In the 17th century most households in the countryside were largely self-sufficient. A housewife (assisted by her servants if she had any) often had to bake her family's bread and brew their beer (it was usually not safe to drink water). She was also responsible for curing bacon, salting meat, and making pickles, jellies, and preserves (all of which were essential in an age before fridges and freezers). Very often in the countryside the housewife also made the family candles and their soap. A housewife also spun wool and linen.
A farmer's wife also milked cows, fed animals and grew herbs and vegetables. She often kept bees. She also took goods to market to sell. On top of that, she had to cook, wash the family's clothes, and clean the house.
The 17th century housewife was also supposed to have some knowledge of medicine and be able to treat her family's illnesses. If she could not they would go to a wise woman. Only the wealthy could afford a doctor.
In the 17th century poor and middle class wives were kept very busy but rich women were not idle either. In a big house, they had to organize and supervise the servants. Also if her husband was away from home the woman usually ran the estate.
Women's education in the 17th century
In some towns young girls might go to dame schools where they were taught skills like reading. During the 17th century boarding schools for girls from better off families were founded in many towns. In them girls were taught subjects like writing, music and needlework. The first women's magazine was The Ladies Mercury published in 1693.
Famous English women of the 17th century included the philosopher Mary Astell (1666 - 1731) and the writer Aphra Behn (1640 - 1689). Elena Piscopia (1646 - 1684) was a great Italian woman philosopher. Marie Le Jars de Gournay (1565 - 1645) was a French writer. Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz was a famous scholar born in what is now Mexico. Clara Peeters (born 1594) was a famous artist.
A German woman, Maria Clara Eimmart was a noted astronomer (1676 - 1707). So was Maria Cunitz (1610 - 1664). In 1637 Amye Everard Ball was the first woman in England to be granted a patent (for making tinctures from flowers).
In the 17th century most women were wives and mothers. Life could be hard for spinsters. Often they lived with relatives but they had to work long hours to support themselves.
17th Century Dress For Women
Womens Clothes in the 17th Century
In the 17th century women wore a linen nightie like garment called a shift. Over it they wore long dresses. The dress was in two parts the bodice and the skirt. Sometimes women wore two skirts. The upper skirt was gathered up to reveal an underskirt. However women in the 17th century did not wear panties.
From the mid 17th century it was fashionable for women to wear black patches on their faces such as little stars or crescent moons.
17th Century Fashion
17th Century Women's Underwear