Two Family More Ladies
Two Women from 'June, Mowing'

Women's Garment Myths

Myth: Skirt length must cover the ankles to be proper.

This is a Victorian belief, and is not appropriate to the Tudor time. Lengths of skirts were not always to the ankles. Noble ladies usually appear at floor length, or even longer. While working women wear skirts that are shorter than ankle length.

Detail from a prepatory sketch of the More Family, by Hans Holbein the Younger, c. 1527.
June, Mowing (fol. 3v), The Hours of Henry VIII, Illuminated by Jean Poyet, c.1500.