www.metmuseum.org/pubs/bulletins/1/pdf/3254282.pdf.bannered.pdf
BULLETIN BULLETIN OF THE METROPOLITAN METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
A SIXTEENTH-CENTURY MILITARY SKIRT
(2)Waistcoats and tippet-like neck defenses made in quite similar fashion, stuffed, however with silk instead of flax, were used in large num- bers in the recent war as a protection against shrapnel, pistol ball, and bayonet. They would stop a pistol ball at 300-600 foot-seconds. Cf. Helmets and Body Armor in Modern Warfare, pp. 289-292.
I think I have read this before from another source but yay! met Museum Bulletins! Crap, the spanish gown item is probably free now as well…