Pair of Tippets

During the High Middle Ages (11th - 13th centuries) male and female fashions often emphasized a full-sleeved tunic or gowns over a tight-sleeved undertunic or gown, both of which were worn over a plain linen shirt or chemise. Towards the close of this period the sleeves of the overgarment were cut to end at the elbow and form long, pendant sleeves about a foot long, leaving the forearms covered exclusively by the undergarment. As the new style of tight-sleeved, fitted gown and male cotehardies came into fashion in the 14th century, the overgarment's sleeve was now tight-fitting and extended to the wrist. The old pendant sleeve was replaced with a purely decorative strip of linen or silk fabric about three inches wide that was attached either temporarily or permanently around the sleeve just above the elbow; from it a long streamer fell anywhere from the knee to the ground. Early in the period the bands seem to have been worn to the front of the arms, but later “migrated” to the sides of the arms. These streamers, or tippets, were nearly exclusively white, and great care was exercised to keep them pressed free of wrinkles. Based on contemporary artwork, our removable tippets are made of lightweight, white linen, and are “one size fits most” fitting up to a 15 1/2" arm, with a 28" long streamer.