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There is evidence that shows clothing has been used from 100,000 to 500,000 years ago! The earliest form of clothing is not what we see today. Way back in the Stone Age, people most likely used vegetation and animal skins to cover their bodies.

Clothing has changed a lot over the decades. Here are some odd articles of clothing you may not know…and you probably would never want to wear!

Check them out.

The Loincloth

Loincloths were one of the first forms of clothing. They were worn in Egypt from at least 3,000 BCE. They are made with just a single piece of cloth draped around the hips. They didn’t provide a lot of warmth, and they don’t cover much of your body.

The loincloth is often worn as an only garment and was made from bark fibers, leather or cloth. Different cultures wore loincloths in a variety of ways. Some loincloths were also reserved for certain classes of people.

The Surcoat

This outer garment originated in the 13th century. It was worn by both men and women and could have sleeves or be sleeveless. Women used it as a type of large cloak, while knights used the surcoat to cover their armor. They would often also show the coat of arms of the wearer.

A knight’s surcoat reached almost to the ankles. It had slits in the bottom front and back so a wearer could sit. One purpose for the surcoat was to protect armor from the rain. Another use was during the Crusades to keep the armor cooler in the hot sun.

The Corset

The corset is an article of clothing that shapes the waist (and sometimes the hips) and supports the bust. It is usually worn underneath other clothing. This article of clothing comes in three different forms;

• A tight-lacing corset is a common form used today.
• “Stays” are an old form, which was used from about 1500 to after 1860.
• An orthopedic corset supports the back of an injured person.

The corset can still be seen today in some wedding dresses.

The Commode

You may have heard the word “commode” used as another word for “toilet.” But the clothing commode has nothing to do with bathroom breaks. It was once a fashionable hairpiece made of a wire framework that was covered in ribbon, lace, and starched linen.

The Commode was very popular in the late 15th century and into the early 16th century. The finished product was known in France as a “frontange,” or tower.

The Cockade

Another headpiece is the cockade. These were knots or bows of ribbon that were usually worn pinned to hats.

They came into fashion in the 18th century, just as decoration. Later they were used to show affiliation with a group such as a political party or military unit, especially during the French Revolution.

The Bustle

The bustle added posterior padding and was fashionable in the late 1800s. It was worn over the back of the hips to shape the skirt.

Bustles could be made in a variety of ways – some were shaped metal or mesh, while others were just fabric padded with straw or horsehair. Eventually, they were created as wire cages that attached to petticoats.

The Ruff

The ruff was a type of ruffled collar fashionable in Europe in the 16th century. The first ruffs were small and created by the pull of a drawstring, but the collars grew in size as they started to become an indicator of wealth. The larger ruffs were starched or supported by wireframes.

They also served as changeable pieces of cloth. Ruffs came in handy as they could be laundered separately, and kept the wearer’s doublet or gown from becoming soiled at the neckline.

What do you think of these odd types of clothing? Would you wear any of these today? Let us know in the comments section.