Plachty jako relikt středověkého svrchního oděvu

The use of over-garments made of materials of plant or animal origin as basic protection from the weather is a widespread and ancient transcultural phenomenon. Sources from the Middle Ages, both pictorial and written, trace its more recent existence in the Czech environment. Although these largely record the clothes worn by the upper social classes, one might presume that they were also worn by the common people as a kind of primitive over-garment before various types of coats with sleeves became prevalent. Sheets were among the over-garments that endured as parts of some folk costumes. In the Middle Ages they were probably also worn by men, often combined with hoods. However, they are primarily recorded as women's clothes. Their appearance and the way in which they were worn may be deduced from a great deal of iconographic evidence from the late 18th century and from the first half of the 19th century, especially from Moravia, Slovakia and Poland. In some regions they were worn until the second half of the 20th century. They were square or rectangular and were thrown over the shoulders or over the head, and usually secured at the chest with knots. Simple sheets came to adopt decorative elements, such as embroidery and lace, and became parts of festive folk costumes. When their original practical function had subsided, they played an important part in ceremonies such as baptisms, weddings and funerals. From the 1830's onwards they gave way to factory-made over-garments made of wool.