Medieval Costumes
The dress of a Norman lady was plain and homely. Her loose gown or "kirtle" was made with ample skirts reaching well on to the ground; it was gathered in at the waist by a belt of wool, cloth, silk, or a weave of gold web.The gown fitted easily across the shoulders, but fell from there in loose folds. The neck opening was cut as the man's, about five inches down the front, and the border embellished with embroidery or precious stones, as also were the borders of the wide sleeves, which came just below the elbows.
Often the gown was made short, so that when it was girded up, its hem fell only to the knees, and showed the long chemise below.
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