Some interesting comments on the history of this particular item of clothing:
http://docserver.ingentaconnect.com/deliver/connect/maney/05908876/v42n1/s2.pdf?expires=1272109765&id=56389567&titleid=75000335&accname=Guest+User&checksum=3BD14F310D3A8FB15B72FD6F21DE63FA
Maybe you could generalize the text since I can't seem to get the link to work.
posting so I remember to check in later...
Try this and then look at the first article in the list, 'Rediscovering the Arisaid': http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/maney/cos/2008/00000042/00000001
*Yoink* I'll have to read this at lunch.