Why Historical Fashion Is More Comfortable Than Modern (In My Humble Opinion)

These are the many reasons why I find historical fashion more comfortable than modern fashion.

With the recent release of some get ready with me style short-form content, I received hundreds of comments along the lines of "you must be so hot" or "that looks so uncomfortable." As a daily wearer of historical fashion, I felt it was time to express why exactly I find historical fashion more comfortable than modern fashion, in order to break down some myths and misconceptions.

Comfort isn't necessarily just a physical thing. For me, it goes so far beyond convenience or the ability to shop for my clothing in stores. I express what exactly comfort means to me and what drives me to hand stitch my own wardrobe and wear historical clothing.

As always, all of these are just my own opinions and I have nothing against modern fashion or anyone that wears it. We all deserve to wear the clothes that work for us, regardless of whether they're historical, vintage, modern, or anything in between.

Thank you so much for watching and for supporting this channel, and I'll see you all in two weeks for another video.

Sources:
Market Shopping:
Working Class Clothing:
Historical Inventions:
Shift and Chemise:
Historical Laundry:
Cravat:
Stays and Corsets:
Working Class Shorter Hems:
Bedouin:
Seasons:

#skillshare #historicalfashion

[VBirchwood]

I hope you've enjoyed this video! 🥰

[sarahtaylor]

People in hot, dry desert climates traditionally cover most of their body during daylight hours for several reasons. One is temperature regulation. Deserts go from intensely hot to very cold in a short amount of time. Layering and choosing the right fabrics in the right weights are way better than synthetics at addressing this practical need. People also think more coverage means being too hot and it's better to wear less in these environments. The truth is loose-fitting clothing in lightweight, natural fibers breathes well and allows air flow. It also protects the skin from intense UV radiation that would cause sunburns and, in the long term, skin cancer and dangerously low levels of folate. Last, covering the hair, face, and neck protects those areas from dirt and body oils.

[ragnkja]

As glad as I am that we don’t _have to_ wear clothes of the past, it’s nice to have the option. I like that I can wear skirts and dresses every day, and my sister-in-law can wear trousers every day and never has to wear skirts or dresses.

[jenniferstocker]

One of the women I most admire who took to “slow living” far before it was trendy, is the artist and illustrator, Tasha Tudor…. She made her own clothing, mostly 1830’s era and had an extensive collection of antique clothing….she also was an avid gardener, toy maker, and cook!

[nataliestanchevski]

I'd love to see more videos on working class and "ethnic" clothing. My heritage is Macedonian and the traditional folk costume dresses come to mid calf or even shorter and are much less voluminous than Western historical clothing. My ancestors were rural peasants and I'm finding it difficult to research.

[peachbooks]

i hate hate hate how so many people think people from the past must be "dumb" and the modern living MUST be the best. like NO they were NOT dumb, they think and feel just like you and i now do. in fact, a lot of the things they did make more sense than what we do now. but say this and ppl will attack you "but they had slavery! but there were no women's rights!" THAT'S NOT THE POINT. there are bad things and good things that ppl back then did. we can pick and choose what must be gone and what we must preserve. things we can learn from the past and things we must leave behind. most people focus on the symbolism wayyyy too much (i swear the amount of ppl i've heard say "if you wear vintage style, you must want to set women's rights back!!1!", it's so brain dead)

[kahl]

I've started transitioning to chemises and stays under my modern clothes, and I have NEVER been this comfy before.

[DeHeld]

This video means quite a lot to me. From a very young age I've not felt comfortable wearing modern clothing. Not only physically, but mentally as well. I remember getting quite upset with my parents as a kid once because they bought me one of those "fashionable" 90's frayed jean shorts. The "cool" "damaged" aspect of them made me really uncomfortable. Regardless, I had to wear them and pretend to like them. In my teen years I would drift towards wearing large woolen coats with military-style buttons bought at flea markets. My mother often critizising me for "hiding behind a costume".

I became so completey dejected and uninterested in what I wear because of all the negative feedback when I did wear something that I like, that I became quite uninterested in my appearance... Just throwing on a T-shirt in the morning and barely even looking into the mirror before I stepped out the door. I feel that for men there is like a kind of extra layer of embarassment for caring about one's clothes or appearance, as that's often seen as a feminine thing to do. Dudes just having to be practical, aloof and uncaring. Gender norms... eh?

Now, after having gotten into historical re-enactment/living history, I might actually be discovering my true self at last. When we set up our roman camp for a living history event, the first thing I do is throw on my woolen or linnen tunic and get rid of my pants. By Jupiter and all the gods, not having to wear those damn modern jeans is so liberating, especcialy when needing to bend down to hammer in tent pegs and carry heavy loads around. No danger of ripping my pants when sweaty and bending down, no risk of having to subject my fellow humans to my ass crack when my jeans inevitably ride down a little. So much comfort in hot weather. Even during the heat wave I felt comfortable in my moderately thick WOOLEN tunic, because the fabric breathed and my arms and legs were bare. And on colder days, nothing beats getting snug under my paenula (Roman cloak). I also feel much happier wearing the rough iron penannular brooch I forged for it then any modern accesory.

Even wearing the toga, a garment that even the Romans complained about being unwieldy, I feel much more comfortable as a person, as it forces a condifent, upright posture. I have not (yet) found the courage or confidence to wear ancient Roman clothing in everyday life. I feel that ancient clothing is so far removed from modern sensibilities, even more so then early 20th or 19th century men's clothing, that it's a much bigger gap to cross. I also am affraid to give the wrong impression, as Roman antiquity has been used by quite a lot of very reactionary right wing ideologues to prop up their beliefs, while I myself am very left wing in my political preference.

Roman society itself was of course a horrible salve society, and I don't want people to think I want to revive such a society... But have you seen, like, late Roman, forth century men's clothing? The tunics with the patterned clavi?! That stuff is the peak of style to me... Compared to that, I feel no exitement for anything that is modern day.

[emilyzhang]

When I was younger I also had the same question - how the hell did people wear this many layers without overheating? The answer is quite simple, all their clothes are made with natural fibers which are breathable, comfortable and temperature regulating. I did a huge purge of my wardrobe and replaced them with clothes that are made with natural fibers (most of my clothes don't look very modern because I love vintage style clothes, including those from the Regency, Victorian, Edwardian era etc). I made a mistake of purchasing a cheap dress online and it lied about being made from 100% cotton (it was polyester). It was a very thin dress, even somewhat with an open back, but I was MISERABLE! That was the final straw I had with synthetics so I went all out and either threw away or donated the synthetic clothes (sadly, there were a lot!)

[Luceroluna_]

I've had chronic back pain for almost 20 years.
Used to have a high back modern corset that was recommended to my mom by our doctor. I hated it and the materials weren't breathable, but helped ease a bit of my pain.
I have made a lot of changes and routines for those years to help ease my pain without pain killers or that corset.
I've invested in a traditional futon bedding, gym (back exercise and running, stopped due to rona, need to go back.), supportive pillows, great posture, sleeping position, and healthy meals.
I finally decided to invest in good supporting corsets and it has helped a lot. Going to the gym is great for easing my pain and I need to go back, but the corsets have helped with temporary relief.

[misss]

At the moment I am getting into historic Hanfu and guess what - they also wore undershirt and trousers under their gowns out of practicallity. Seems to be a concept that just works.

[persephoneolympia]

I don't think I could go back to wearing "normal" modern clothes. Especially after the heatwave we just experienced where I barely noticed nearly 40 degrees yet was fully dressed (My mother however was suffering in polyblend shorts and a t-shirt 😂) as time goes on im definitely noticing that spring/autumn wardrobes really end up being the same as you mentioned and it's nice to hear a historical costumer/dresser talk about the versatility of these clothes! it's a valuable lesson modern fashions could learn from as the cost of living rises.

For context, I don't go the full 100% historical dress. I don't wear stays/corsets (for no reason other than I'm shaped like an hourglass and am too intimidated to finally make them lol). my wardrobe has naturally become a magpie haul of all my favourite things of historical clothes, mostly falling somewhere around 1880-1915 in shape, inspired by aesthetic dress, anglosaxon Roman and Viking jewlery replicas, blackwork, embroidery and all the natural fibres I can get! Youd have to prize my linen shifts out of my cold dead hands 😂

[piccalillipit]

*THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST VIDEO's* I have watched in a LONG time, you have touched on SO MANY things that I have thought or felt myself...

1) People in the past DID NOT LIKE being uncomfortable or wet or cold or too hot any more than we do - that revelation came as a shock to me
2) Strange "fashions" of the past usually had purpose - "plus fours" look a bit daft, until you walk your dog through long wet grass and suddenly you realise WHY people wore them
3) I have literally developed an appreciation of the season I never had from being dressed appropriately FOR the season - there is NO such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing
4) Cloaks are the single best garment in history [your Winter outfit] there is a reason people wore cloaks for over 2000 years - quick to put on, super warm, waterproof, comfortable BRILLIANT
5) Modern clothing is baggy or elasticated to make up for not fitting AT ALL. Close fitted clothing that FITS is WAY more comfortable than baggy
6) Insulation works BOTH ways - a thick wool hat will keep your head cool in 40ºC direct sunlight
7) Wool is the king of fabrics, it keeps you warm, it keeps you cool, it keeps you dry and its a joy to sew with
8) Silk is the queen of fabrics, it keeps you warm, it keeps you cool, it looks gorgeous and its horrible to sew with

[CatswoldCottage]

I love the reasoning and thoughtfulness behind this. I've been wanting to dress a bit more historical-leaning after realizing things like corsets help my chronic pain--and the fact we got rid of the shift/chemise is a huge tragedy. I would love a video on how to make some simple shifts or outfits like the current one you're wearing and any links to working-class stays or corsets to buy. Cheers!

[null]

Thank you so much for talking about how our perception of Historical fashion is often of the western elite. I'm so happy to hear you are focusing more on working class clothing. We need to avoid perpetuating classism from history!

[jldisme]

I worked as a living history interpreter at a farming museum where I was wearing early 18th century clothing. And many many times today I heard exactly the same comments that you got on your video. I just smile and point to the visitors who were slapping all the flies that were getting on their legs and arms. I didn't have that problem because those areas were all covered. Then I'd explain that sunscreen did not exist at that time, but with long sleeves along skirt and a hat I didn't have to worry about sunburn. Then I would go into breathable fabrics and how much more comfortable they are than artificial fabrics. If I was inside next to the fire at that time, I'd point out how I was protected from the heat by the layers of my skirt and petticoat. plus the natural fibers were unlikely to burst into flame and so I was protected if any sparks flew out of the fire because they wouldn't touch my skin. I had fun with it. I personally loved wearing the historic clothing. I also used to do medieval recreation for fun, but unfortunately I live in an area where it's not available now. Love the video!!!! Your philosophy of life is awe inspiring.

[jocelynleung]

I love that you respond to upsetting comments so maturely. Not that anyone has an obligation to respond to upsetting things, but to receive such comments and then think more deeply about where they’re coming from, then coming back with a gentle and soulful explanation to correct their misconceptions…seriously! Who does that with so much grace and kindness! Massive kudos to you.

[ChayatsujiKimono]

Switching between modern fashion & historical fashion (reconstructed regional folkwear mixed with city-fashion of the 1890-1900), I notice too that I'm much more comfortable with historical fashion, even if people stare at me whilst walking down the streets in my town XD. It's not so much aboutthat it fits me much better size-wise, although that does help, I am almost always comfortable temperature wise, I'm never cold in the winter. Even when we had a week of -10C to -20C in February of 2021 which is insanely cold for the Netherlands, I was slightly chilly but nothing near the amount I'd be if I was wearing jeans with a thick winter coat. 2 unlined cotton petticoats, 1 quilted cotton petticoat and a medium-weight wool outer skirt kept me cosy and warm <3

I share your view about leaning towards working-class clothing compared to the fancy pieces. I personally live in the countryside and pretty much the majority, if not all, of my ancestors were farmers so it makes more insightful too.
Wearing historic fashion is quite much like experimental archeology, wearing your pieces out and about in your daily life has allowed me to learn hands-on how it was like wearing these pieces in the respective period.

[mirabellegoldapfel]

I love your concept of comfort to be much more than just how easy a garment is to put on or put off. Long sleeves and high collars and long trousers in burning weather seem not logical for a modern person, but not having to use so much sunscreen and thus less chemicals in the water is also a comfort for me. It is immensly comfortable to know that everyone involved in your new blouse got payed a living wage and had decent regulations for their and the environments safety in place.
Mending can be so satisfying- it is the rescue of a thing other people might have discarded, but your skills are up to save it like a miracle doctor.
Also historical clothes have so much more room for adjustment with the big seam allowances to let out or tuck in, tie on skirts, pants with a tunnel and pull thorugh ribbon~

[Rozewolf]

I'm part of the SCA, and love my historic clothing, and often after an event 'mourn' having to go back into modern clothing. I've been making more of my every day clothing more and more historical. Historical fashion is so much more comfortable.