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The design for the Guernsey smock dates from the Middle Ages. It was worn by both farmers and fishermen.

There were summer garments (such as this one) which were made in the island using imported French cotton and heavier, woollen smocks for the winter.

The fourteenth century author Geoffrey Chaucer wrote of "a Skipper hailing from far west... in a woollen gown that reached his knee".

It is made of a yard of material cut into a series of squares, oblongs and triangles which are gathered or pleated to give fullness where needed.

The woollen smock is usually embroidered with a simple feather stitch pattern, but the cotton smock has no trim, unlike English smocks.

According to tradition, the smock has always been made in two lengths: a shorter version for the man doing the work and a longer version for the man in charge.