In one book written in 18 century is mentioned how one women wears some kind of simple dress, I cannot remember which material, during hot summer - she is noble. I suppose that they wore wigs and complicated dresses from many materials during ceremonies, going to opera but while they were at home, they certainly wore more simple clothes. Maybe they used to bath more often during summer? I hope so.

Yes, that was the "Chemise a la Reine" put in fashion by MA when she went to Petit Trianon. It was made out of muslin, which was called "gaulle."

Marie Antoinette should have been glad of the perfume! At her sister Maria Carolina's Neapolitan Court, perfume was traditionally frowned upon and those who wore it were treated with contempt! Can you imagine...?!

Maybe they just wanted to be more natural? How odd!

I apologize if this is off topic, men wore long shirts that doubled as an undergarment,and when the weather was bitterly cold men would wear wool under drawers underneath their breeches, and linen under draws were used but not universal.

If women wore dress type underwear, what did they do during their menstrual cycle?

They probably shoved rags in between their legs to absorb the blood. . It really wasn't until the 1890's that the modern pad was invented or widely used. I'm the wrong person to ask.

They had some linen that were called "chauffoirs". Some of them were found back with Marie Antoinette's remaining clothes, and the listing adds that is is used for women's cleanliness.

Merci. Where did you manage to find that information? Ah Pimpernelle the all knowing triumphs again!

but how coud they put rags down there if they wore no pant type underwear?

Good point! Perhaps they just held it inbetween and walked funny. Je ne sais pas.

They probably tied them on or they were pinned to their chemise.

That makes sense, if they actually did wear rags.

I have seen an article in one women magazine, there I read how women in that period didn’t wear anything but used to bleed all over those beautiful dresses. I also read, in the same article, statement of one doctor (1750. or 1760.) who said how women must wear long wide dresses that can let air, because women genitals slowly mutilate, foil (not sure this is the right word, I couldn’t find right translation in the dictionary) and stink awful.

Oh... Too cute, thank you ! Those "chauffoirs" were listed with the stuffs Marie Antoinette left behind in her cell.