Surcoats
This is a picture page set up so you can browse the various styles of the surcoat. It was a garment typically worn over the cotehardie or a kirtle. It was a fashion that appeared very early, and I cannot even give you an exact date or century when this occurred because it is such a versatile garment. However, style ranged with this piece of clothing and it can be seen anywhere from an overcoat garment to the sideless variety that was so popular in later period with ladies. The information on each piece is posted below the picture. Remember, the surcoat seemed to have first been a men's fashion, and was later adopted by women.
Jeanne de Bourbon, 1390, Palais Ducal, Poitiers, France. Artist Unknown.
St. Catherine, late 15th Century, Metropolitan, N.Y. Painter: Memling
Two Italian wall paintings. Overcoat style surcoats featured.
"Truth" & "Charity" respectively. Illuminated Manuscript, The Rouen Hours (France) c. 1500.