[The Judge]

The basic undergarment for women down the ages was the shift, also known sometimes as a smock (though that always makes me think of shepherds) -- basically a linen nightie-looking thing. The length and width of the sleeves would have varied on the fashion, and the quality of the linen -- and of any finishing, embroidery, lace etc on it -- would have depended on the woman's wealth, but that was it. The more wealthy women would probably have had quite a number and changed every day or every other day, and used a separate one for bedtime. Poorer women would probably have made do with only a couple and worn the same one for night.