Short vs. Long sleeved chemise?

[SandrineDeLaTombe]

I am toying with the idea of getting a shorter sleeved chemise. I am slightly curious about the HA of both, but I'm not terribly concerned with that.  I've always worn long-sleeved chemises, but that can get very hot in Texas and they seem to always get in the way.  My biggest stop with the shorter sleeves is that I have a very large tattoo on one forearm. My "character" is more piratical/saucy wench, so I don't have a real problem showing it, but I also don't want it to be the only focus while I'm in garb. 

I'm sure I'm overthinking this terribly, but I wanted to get input from all the smart ladies who know much more than I do.

[GirlChris]

Waaaaaaaay overthinking it. It's not historical that I've ever seen, but who cares? Wenchy characters can wear what they like, as long as they don't have some variety of costume master/mistress telling them what to wear.If you're more comfortable in a short sleeved chemise, wear a short sleeved chemise. They can be very cute and fun. Hooray!

[Rowan MacD]

  There are a few sites that sell the short sleeved blouses for pirate wear, as long as you don't mind the little puffy sleeves.

[Delireus]

I've only worn short sleeve blouses, I'm from Texas too and a long sleeve option never even crossed my mind due to the heat. The only thing is I have a real problem with those little cap sleeves that vendors put on their short sleeve blouses. I guess I'm far too picky, but it took me weeks to find something I liked that wasn't too puffy and didn't sit right under my shoulder.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52744553/white-cotton-or-any-color-ruffle I really like the V cut in this, and the sleeves are just right for me. Maybe the sleeves are just long enough to cover your tattoo if you're still worried about it being too noticeable. Anyways, I think you'll be just fine in a shorter sleeved option, and it'll save you torture in those texas summers and winters sometimes too .

[SandrineDeLaTombe]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.  I really like that chemise, Delireus, thanks for sharing!

[gem]

There are many paintings that show women with their chemise sleeves rolled up, usually for working (and often Italian):

http://www.londonfoodfilmfiesta.co.uk/Artmai~1/images~2/Campi-2kitchen.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/17480040/301688493.jpg

...And I know I've seen at least a couple of portraits of women with actual shorter sleeves, although I'm not 100% certain whether they're naturalistic (depicting real fashions) or completely fanciful/allegorical (I know I've seen others, but these are the ones I found straightaway):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/venezia2/pbordone.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/venezia2/fasolo1570sdiv.jpg

***
As for actual real-life, wear-to-fair chemises?  I've found that it's the chemise material, more than the sleeve length, that determines how hot/cool it is. Remember also that direct sun on bare skin is VERY hot! (Which is why you never see Bedouins running around the desert uncovered.) Lightweight linen and cotton gauze will be cooler than a cotton broadcloth or a heavier linen or silk, long sleeve or short sleeve.  My favorite wear-when-it's-hot chemise is my Double Puff Juliet gown from Ophelia's.  This picture was taken at the Des Moines Renfest, when it was about 100 degrees (and 90% humidity; typical IA in late summer), where there is absolutely NO shade/cover anywhere, and I can tell you I was VERY glad to be protected from that sun!

[Rowan MacD]

 My favorite wear-when-it's-hot chemise is my Double Puff Juliet gown from Ophelia's.  This picture was taken at the Des Moines Renfest, when it was about 100 degrees (and 90% humidity; typical IA in late summer), where there is absolutely NO shade/cover anywhere, and I can tell you I was VERY glad to be protected from that sun!

I love that chemise,  It will be mine!  I'm hoping the weather at DMRF  cools off considerably from what we have right now. Sleepy Hollow has already been flooded a couple of times this year (nothing special there) I just don't want the heat + mosquitoes.
 

[Rani Zemirah]

I have a long sleeve and a half sleeve chemise, both bought from vendors at Faire, and I like them both, although the elastic at the elbow on the shorter one is a bit tight and needs to be fixed.  They're both very pretty, and I've never had anyone say anything about the authenticity of either, although even the necklines are elastic, as well.  I think unless you're on cast somewhere or in a historical organization then it doesn't really matter to most people, or at least the people I've encountered at the Faires I've attended, including both TRF and Scarby.  

[Annastina]

I have a long sleeved gauzy chemise with a fairly loose cuff.  If it is very hot, I can push the cuff above my elbow and the rest of the sleeve sort of billows down, making it a comfy 3/4 sleeve.  For me, it's the best of both worlds, because Gem's right - it's all about the material.

[Celtic Lady]

  I love that chemise,  It will be mine!  I'm hoping the weather at DMRF  cools off considerably from what we have right now. Sleepy Hollow has already been flooded a couple of times this year (nothing special there) I just don't want the heat + mosquitoes.  

I, too, am hoping for cooler and less humid temps for Des Moines RF. Truly this has been a harsh summer for us here. Crossing fingers, heart, eyes, toes, arms, and legs that it does and that the mosquito population did not explode (and won't).

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Even when it is warm, I wear the long sleeved chemises. Then less sun on me, the better.

[Lady Kett]

We just made this Chemise using Butterick 3906, lengthening it to make it longer than the original pattern. The pattern has an option for long or short sleeves. Considering it was the 3rd thing me and the spousal Sidekick have ever made, we found it very easy to make. The Prodigal Daughter feels she would rather trade the application of sunscreen for less material on her arms compared to full-length sleeves. This pattern *should* be easy enough to make a 2/3 or 3/4 length sleeve if you were that overly concerned with your tattoo showing.

Pattern pics:


our result here:


I have always gone with full length sleeves which I can push up to be 3/4 sleeves as needed and never felt I was melting because of my chemise sleeves.

Roundabout way of saying, wear what you like and prefer!

[Rani Zemirah]

Even when it is warm, I wear the long sleeved chemises. Then less sun on me, the better.

I'm with you, Lady Kathleen!  I'd much rather it be overcast if I'm outside, and I wish I was even able to wear a wide brim hat (because they actually suit me rather well, and shade nicely), but I get too overheated with my head covered.  I don't like to burn, though, so sunscreen, shade and light, breathable fabric are my good friends at Faire!  

Lady Kett, you did a wonderful job on your new chemise!  It looks lovely!!!  You're becoming quite an accomplished seamstress rather quickly!  Congratulations... 

[SandrineDeLaTombe]

That is very beautiful, Lady Kett.  (And that picture of you is adorable .  I am leaning toward this chemise, with a drawstring neck.  Sleeves not too short, and I've got long arms, so I think this will be perfect.



http://www.etsy.com/listing/41693276/white-or-natural-32-inch-long-short

[bellevivre]

when I do italian, or anything non-faerie, in the heat, I wear a long sleeve linen chemise. Linen creases by hand beautifully- so, I roll up the cuffs and they stay no problem- given that linen breathes like nobody's business, I stay plenty cool all day!

but, honestly? wear whatever makes you happy- I started out trying to be period- and I still love my linen italian ren dresses Ive made. But the fact is, it's FAIRE, it's TEXAS, and it's HOT!