The first garment is the tunica. It was a fitted underdress, usually made of linen. Over this was worn a gunna, or gown. It was fitted also and had sleeves that reached only to the elbows. The hem was tucked up on the right side into an embroidered leather belt.
Customs often create a demand for new fashions.
To do this, many Saxon women wore headrails. During the latter part of this period, the ninth and tenth centuries, the tunica began to change. The sleeves flared out extravagently. The trend was toward barbarian extravagence. The Norman invasion changed the trend of English fashion, as an invading army usually does.