04 May 03
There are a lot of annoying things about german painters from the 1500's. 1. They are usually  fron the first half of the century instead of the latter. 2. They are sorted in cathegories as biblical nudes and mythological nudes, and nudes wear no doublets. 3. They are all portraits of Noblemen, saints and Jesuses.

But after a long, long while of searching, I found something. I know that I am extrmely happy that I am not a German noblewoman from any part of the 1500's. They all wore some pretty freaky front lacing gowns with extremely puffed sleeves. Like this one: 

And of course: None of the women wore doublets. But I was lucky. I found one painting showring a doublet quite similar to the one I am looking for: I know that 1544 is a bit early, but the doublet is so similar to mine. Look at the front: no seams at the front. Open fronted from the hips and down. I am very content. The only problem is: what am I to do? I am not a man. Perhaps my brother will accept to be my dress dummy? Perhaps he will accept it if I make a more down to earth version without all the fancy slashes. Pencz was listed as a German painter, but I have seen this image being described as spanish.

beeing so harde-quilted, and stuffed bombasted and sewed, as they can varie hardly eyther stoupe downe or decline them selves to the grounde, soe styffe and sturdy about them... certaine I am there was never any kinde of apparell ever invented, that could more disproportion the body of man than these Dublets with great bellies, hanging down beneath their pudenda, and stuffed with foure, five or six ponds of bombast at the least. (Patterns of Fashion p.74) 

Well, although the peascods are not as scary as victorian corsets and flared jeans, they are absolutely not my favourite. The pattern for the doublet above is curved at the front, as is my pattern, so there is a chance that the big belly is supposed to be my style. I have bought some padding just in case. There is a chance that I will do some moderate padding, although it is very tempting to leave the whole padding be. Perhaps I will pad the lining and pin the whole thing together during the day. In that case, you will see whether or not I will pad. Afterall, a big belly is not as impressive today as it was during the 1590's.