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The specific type of women's medieval clothing depended greatly on the rank they held. Members of the nobility had beautiful clothes made of silk and other fine garments, while serfs and peasants wore rough, practical clothing.
Kirtle
Women in medieval times would often wear kirtles, which were long blouses running from the shoulders to the ankles. A belt around the woman's waist would hold the kirtle in place.
Caps
Medieval women donned linen head-dresses to cover their hair, marked by lappets that reached down to their shoulders. In later parts of the medieval era, women's hats would have wire frames decorated with lace or cloth.
Bodices and Jackets
During the 13th century, dresses with tight bodices came into fashion. Women would wear jackets over them, which reached down to about the belt line.
Shoes
Women's shoes were closed and often pointed, and were decorated by colored bands. They were very strong by necessity, since the ground and roads of the time were rough.
Surcoats
Women wore surcoats--a sort of sleeved wrap--over their clothing to keep warm. As time went on, men began to wear surcoats as well.
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