What did they wear under there?

eilcon · Dec 9, 2005

That's one of the questions I got the other day when I was speaking to a group of high school students about religious life. The student who asked was referring to what the Sisters wore under their habits back in the old days. I always tell the girls to feel free to ask any questions they want about being a nun, but I didn't have an answer for that one

sweetiecat3 · Dec 9, 2005

You did tell them to ask ANY question...haha

babyharley · Dec 9, 2005

You know, my cousins, on my mom's side had aunts (on their dads side) who are nuns, they always wear habits, and I've always wondered what they wore under there!!

spitfire · Dec 9, 2005

I used to go to a convent school in London and we used to wonder about what they wore under their habits.......came to the conclusion that they either wore:
1. Chastity Belts or,
2. Nothing
So, you can make your choice from the above!!!!!

snosrap5 · Dec 9, 2005

Wow!! Unusual question! What did you say?

eilcon · Dec 9, 2005

Originally Posted by snosrap5

Wow!! Unusual question! What did you say?

Told her I'd check and let them know. I probably will since I'm kind of curious myself.

turtlecat · Dec 9, 2005

Generally speaking even nuns in the rennaissance wore the "standard" undergarments, which included a shift, Knickers (but note: these "knickers" didn't have the center in. ) Hose, and a corset. Then a farthingale or kirtle, and probably a bumroll ^.^ I hope this helps!

As far as before then, it was generally simple monastic robes, with hood, and stockings of cheaper materials (many of the convents that took the vow of poverty weren't allowed wool stockings in winter.) A shift, knickers, and possibly a modest corset.

menagerie mama · Dec 9, 2005

Kids say the funniest things!

yoviher · Dec 9, 2005

I have read a little about the history of underwear. The history of men's underwear is very varied and full of chapters. Now, when it comes to women's underwear its less full. Panties as we know it was a recent ocurrence. During Roman and Greek times women would often wear a tight breast band, serving as the precursor to the bra. However, for underpants, they weren't wearing anything. This was the norm all the way into the Rennaisance. During the Rennaisance and the Enlightenment only women who were actors in theater would wear underpants. (If you are doing a play on stage, you can't just go to pee in mid event) In other words, Martha Washington was wearing nothing behind that petticoat. Corsets would do the supporting of the bra. Nuns were in the same situation. I doubt though that a nun would wear a corset during the Victorian period, as their habits were so simple.

During the Victorian period, panties started slwoly getting into vogue. It was a loose fitting pant of sorts worn under the dresses. And not all women would wear it. A French woman who was tired of corsets invented the modern "brassiere" during this period.

By the twentieth century we have modern female underwear, Hanes, Playtex and all the multinational brands, and the cotton briefs everyone's so thankful for.

So, to answer your question, of what did nuns wear under their habits back then: Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Now, what I never got around, and nobody has been able to tell me was... how did women deal with their periods then?

turtlecat · Dec 9, 2005

Originally Posted by yoviher

I have read a little about the history of underwear. The history of men's underwear is very varied and full of chapters. Now, when it comes to women's underwear its less full. Panties as we know it was a recent ocurrence. During Roman and Greek times women would often wear a tight breast band, serving as the precursor to the bra. However, for underpants, they weren't wearing anything. This was the norm all the way into the Rennaisance. During the Rennaisance and the Enlightenment only women who were actors in theater would wear underpants. (If you are doing a play on stage, you can't just go to pee in mid event) In other words, Martha Washington was wearing nothing behind that petticoat. Corsets would do the supporting of the bra. Nuns were in the same situation. I doubt though that a nun would wear a corset during the Victorian period, as their habits were so simple.

During the Victorian period, panties started slwoly getting into vogue. It was a loose fitting pant of sorts worn under the dresses. And not all women would wear it. A French woman who was tired of corsets invented the modern "brassiere" during this period.

By the twentieth century we have modern female underwear, Hanes, Playtex and all the multinational brands, and the cotton briefs everyone's so thankful for.

So, to answer your question, of what did nuns wear under their habits back then: Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Now, what I never got around, and nobody has been able to tell me was... how did women deal with their periods then?

You're somewhat correct here. bloomers or knickers were worn (in the middle ags and rennaissance), however, as stated above, they were really just 2 legs with a common waistband. That is what served as their underwear. During their waters, as menstruation was called, they would use matted reeds or a sponge to keep themselves clean. However, with the layers and layers of garb, if there was an incident, no one would really know.
Also, the reasoning that underpants were out of vogue in women was because.. well, you try and pull up and down your underwear wearing all those layers (Especially a corset.). It can't be done!

pushylady · Dec 9, 2005

Huh! The things you learn on a cat site! I'm having trouble picturing those bloomers with no middle bit, sounds a bit like the undies they sell at adult shops (so I've heard

).

Then a farthingale or kirtle, and probably a bumroll

Seriously, I read "fartingale" and thought immediately of my dear husband.

katl8e · Dec 9, 2005

I have pair of Victorian split drawers. Much easier to deal with, under several petticoats, a lined skirt and a bustle.

As for what nuns wore, under their habits: hairshirts?

percysmom · Dec 9, 2005

In the 60's I went to catholic school the convent was just across the street. I used to help the sisters hang their laundry, They wore white cotton panties and bras, black slips and stockings. Not really much different then my grandmother.

jennyr · Dec 10, 2005

I was going to say the same - the nuns at my school wore long heavy habits and we used to see their laundry hanging up and laugh at it, but it wasn't really anything so dreadful, just heavy serge knickers and deep bras and camisole tops, cotton in summer and wool in winter. And black stockings with suspender belts. There was a prep school attached to the convent too, with small boys up to the age of seven, and there was one nun who played football with the boys, hitching up her skirts into her belt, so that her stockings were very visible! But we treated it as normal.

dawnofsierra · Dec 10, 2005

This thread has certainly been an education! Thank you, Eileen!

eilcon · Dec 10, 2005

dawnofsierra said:
This thread has certainly been an education! Thank you, Eileen!

[/QUOTE

You never know what you're going to learn on TCS.

I'm actually really impressed with everyone's underwear expertise and will be sure to pass it on to the student who's responsible for this discussion!

gemlady · Dec 10, 2005

Why am I suddenly remembering the infamous "Underwear Thread"?

katl8e · Dec 10, 2005

One of my areas of self-study has been clothing and fashion history. When I lived in Tombstone, I had a dressmaking business, specializing in Victorian and Edwardian reproductions. This extended to undergarments and foundations.

In reality, those knee-length cotton or linen drawers are quite comfy, during Arizona's hot summers, especially under a long skirt and petticoat. The less said about the corset, the better though.

chester&piper · Dec 11, 2005

Originally Posted by gemlady

Why am I suddenly remembering the infamous "Underwear Thread"?

You mean this one, Jan??

This thread certainly is educational. The things we talk about on TCS!

katl8e · Dec 11, 2005

There is an old riddle:

Q: What do nuns wear under their habits?

A: Cross-Your-Heart bras and No-Nonsense pantihose.

What did they wear under there?

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