Fichu

Afichu(/ˈfiːʃuː/,from the French "thrown over" ) is a large, squarekerchiefworn by women to fill in the low neckline of abodice.

Descriptive drawing.

Description

It originated in theUnited Kingdomin the 18th century and remained popular there and inFrancethrough the 19th with many variations,as well as in theUnited States.The fichu was generally oflinenfabric and was foldeddiagonallyinto a triangle and tied, pinned, or tucked into the bodice in front.

A fichu is sometimes used with a brooch to conceal the closure of adécolleténeckline. The fichu can thus be fastened in the front, or crossed over the chest. The cross-over fichu sometimes extended all the way to the back. Some models include a large over-the-shoulders back piece.

The fichu found in several traditional cultures resembles aponchothat covers only the shoulders and chest.

Gallery

• 
  Elizabeth Sewall Salisbury wears anembroideredfichu pinned at the neck, 1789.
• 
  Jeune femme au fichu blanc,between 1790 and 1800
• 
  American or European, cotton, mid-19th century.
• 
  Probably American, cotton, mid-19th century.
• 
  French, silk, mid-19th century.
• 
  British, linen, knotted, mid-19th century.
• 
  American or European, silk, mid-19th century.
• 
  Fichu en indienne,traditionally worn in theComtat Venaissin.

See also

• 1700–1750 in fashion
• 1750–1795 in fashion
• Cravat
• Kerchief
• Neckerchief
• Pañuelo

General and cited references

• Baumgarten, Linda:What Clothes Reveal: The Language of Clothing in Colonial and Federal America,Yale University Press, 2002.ISBN0-300-09580-5.
• Cunnington, C. Willett,andPhillis Emily Cunnington:Handbook of English Costume in the Eighteenth Century.London: Faber, 1972.
• Payne, Blanche:History of Costume from the Ancient Egyptians to the Twentieth Century,Harper & Row, 1965.ISBN9780060450700.LCCN65-10419.OCLC223437.
• Ribeiro, Aileen:Dress in Eighteenth Century Europe 1715–1789,Yale University Prison, 2002,ISBN0-300-09151-6.

External links

• Victorian Fashions and Costumes from Harper's Bazar, 1867-1898
• 18th century women's kerchiefs and fichus
• Description from Diderot'sEncyclopedie