Petit-Cote

PETTICOAT, PETIT-COTE (French)

Literally, a little coat. The word is first met with in Henry V's time as a Petit coat of red damask, but as it is described as having open sleeves, it must have been really a little coat. As late as Henry VII, the petticoat appears in ladies' wardrobes, and was worn with the kirtle, being made of silk, velvet, grosgrain, etc., fringed about the skirts with silk or bordered with gards, lace, fringe, etc. The petticoat absorbed the kirtle about 1630, and in the reign of Charles II there is mentioned " short under-petticoats, pure, fine, some of Japan stuff and some of Chinese." In 1712 is noted " a petticoat of rich, strong, flowered satin." A petticoat is now an underskirt worn by women.