Doublet

A term applied to both an undergarment and an outergarment worn by men in Europe from the Middle Ages to the beginning of the 17th century. Doublets had sleeves and were fastened in front, first by thongs and later by buttons.

As an undergarment, the doublet was padded and was worn, along with hip-length hose, under armor. As an outergarment, the doublet, worn over an inner tunic, made its first appearance in the 13th century in Italy. (A jerkin, similar to the doublet but sleeveless, was sometimes worn over both the tunic and the doublet.) In Elizabethan times the doublet extended far below the waist. By the late 16th century, doublet sleeves were decorated with lacings, ribbons, and slashings and sometimes were puffed out at the shoulder. By the early 17th century, the doublet was gored and began to resemble the modern suit jacket. It was worn partly open in front to show the shirt, and the sleeves had fancy lace cuffs. (Encyclopedia Americana, Doublet)

Main garment for upper part of man’s body worn from late 14th to mid 17th century, styled like a close-fitting jacket with various lengths of skirt showing trunk hose or breeches. (Calasibetta, Doublet)