Nobility with non-split front skirt? Accuracy Question

[Tixi]

In terms of upper class Tudor/Elizabethan gowns, are split front overskirts with either contrasting forepanel/forepart (or visible underskirt with split front) necessary in all 16th century styles?

Or would a closed front skirt ever be acceptable in a gown/outfit?  Especially when made entirely out of silk?

Lastly, if a closed skirt is used, is it better to have an attached skirt or a separate bodice/skirt? With or without tabs?

[gem]

This is where portrait research really comes in handy.



 

More:
http://www.shafe.co.uk/crystal/images/lshafe/Metsys_Elizabeth_I_The_Sieve_Portrait_c1583.jpg
http://www.xenia.k12.oh.us/xhs/MediaC/portals/1491.jpg
http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/historical/exploration/waymouth.jpg

[bellevivre]

look at portraits- a good place to start is http://www.wga.hu/

often, it depends on the time, and the location. Remember Tudor covers almost 100 years, from the reign of Henry VII to Elizabeth I. As i recall, there are some pictures of Mary with a non-split skirt, but one if the common ideas we have from this age, is that, as they were generally trimmed as if it would split, the skirts were closed with hook/eye closures and you had the option to wear it open or closed.  

[bellevivre]

look at the first portrait of QEI above to see what i mean- see how it's trimmed with the vertical embroidery? The theory is, it's feasible that that skirt might also open for a split... of course, it might also just be transitionary between the split and closed styles...