Birth of the Virgin, Detail

Birth of the Virgin (Natività della Vergine), by Alessandro Allori, detail, 1595, Cortona, Church of Santa maria Nuova. pg 82, fig 71.

"For working or middle class women, involved in domestic tasks, the possibility of detaching the sleeves of the petticoat proved very convenient for ease of movement. It also meant that the sleeves could be easily changed, thus renewing the appearance of the garment. The triangular arrangement of the decorations on the bodice remained in vogue for many decades and became established in popular costume."

My focus for this image is actually the pocket worn by the lady on the far left.