Clothing In The Middle Ages
There are many different types of clothing and fashion trends that were a part of the Middle Ages. Women, men and Peasants had specific styles of clothing based on what they can afford and what is acceptable in their social and economic class. Women’s fashion was recorded in timelines and changed frequently. Lord’s clothing had also been recorded in timelines like the women’s clothing and economic class mattered. For Women and men the more money you had the more fashionable you became. While the Peasants clothing was basic and practical. Women’s clothing in the Middle Ages consisted of many different trends and styles. In the early Middle Ages women’s clothing had
Clothing was also an important part in men's lives. The Sumptuary laws implied to not only the women, but to the men too. Men also wore many layers, some similar to the women. According to Linda Alchin, "The fashions were designed to give the impression of a small waist-especially desired by the women but also emulated by men" (Elizabethan Upper Class Fashion). They wore most of the following under layers: a shirt, stockings, a codpiece, and a corset. Then, most of the following over layers: a doublet, separate sleeves, breeches, a belt, a ruff, a cloak, and boots or flat shoes. Men's clothing fashions were related to those of women's due to the similar, and many layers.
Elizabethan fashion influenced the modern day fashion world in many aspects. In Elizabethan times, fashion was often used to show status in society, and was very important to women. Fashion today can be compared to the same aspects. Women wear different brands or types of clothing to show status or capital. Although women don’t wear as many layers of dress clothing, women often are
Although the style was the same, the material was different. In those times clothing was expensive and difficult to get. In modern America, status does not matter at all in the market. If a person cannot afford the clothes from a luxurious brand, there are many duplicate brands being churned out from which one can get the same styles. Wealthy people from both time periods purchase custom made clothing and the middle and lower class purchase readymade.
Low class like the working-class women doesn't changed their fashion. Their clothing are very simple, just a simple skirt and bodice with an apron and that's all. (Elgin, Kathy, page 34) Fashion during the Elizabethan Era were really different for all the 3 classes. Not every classes have to have fancy clothing and fashion. Low class like women wore their clothes very simple that they didn't care if it will or will not stand out like the upper class. Their fashion of clothing was just ordinary like any other low class people. Servants doesn't have an everyday clothing; their clothing was their each year's salary. They are given one new set of clothing each years that could be a plain gown or doublet and breeches. (Elgin, Kathy, page 38) Low class people like the servants doesn't have that much fashion. Their clothing and style of fashion wasn't attracted and impressive like the middle and upper class. Their fashion was dull, plain, and ordinary; nothing special about their clothing that will stand out. During that time, blue was a colored wore by lower class people like the servants that no one from the upper class would wear blue. (Elgin, Kathy, page 38) Blue was a color wore by many low class people during the Elizabethan Era. The color blue resemble the poor and not the rich people. Wearing blue for the rich people will make other classes think that they're from the low
Fashion is a big part of many people's lives, but it is constantly changing and growing. In the Elizabethan time fashion was very different than it is today. For example trends and materials used have changed. The colors people wore told a lot about who they were, unlike today. Some parts of fashion have stayed pretty constant throughout the years. For example today and then there are known designers around the world. Also fashion still impacts lives greatly. So when looking at fashion throughout the years it is evident that materials, trends, color usage, designers, and the impact on society has greatly changed and is still changing.
Clothing expression in medieval Europe, like all other forms of artistic expression at this time, found it's biggest outlet in the ecclesiastical field, as this was where all the money was to be found. The churches employed all the best builders and craftsmen in creating their great cathedrals, and art works. In clothing, the church dictated what sorts of materials were made, and brought into the area, what colors were in use, and what styles were used, influencing the secular as well as ecclesiastical dress. In the feudal system only great Barons and their families wore fine cloths, as clothing was a symbol of rank and importance. Each family made their own clothes, so fashion was very individualistic in style, and each family had their own characteristics. With an increase of wealth in the area, and the beginning of the crusades, new elaborate styles were introduced into the scene. Fashions became strange, and grotesque in nature reflecting the constant struggles and wars of the time, as fantasy and the grotesque generally influence social costumes accompanying times of war. Women in their headgear actually wore huge horns, like an ox, that towered above them and supported a veil, and men's shoes were peaked and extended six inches in front of them for common men, and a foot for gentlemen, and two feet for noblemen.
The middle ages were the true start of fashion, and clothing was very important, as were the tailors who sewed the clothes. Medieval tailors had a difficult life, even though their job was very important to society. During the middle ages, the daily life of a tailor was very rough. In most medieval villages, craftsmen were classed above peasants and serfs in the feudal pyramid.
People everywhere find self-expression through what they wear. Many people today are judged by what they wear. Although one doesn’t want it to, clothing can place you in a certain group or social class. Even 457 years ago, when the Elizabethan Era was recognized by its profound range of fashion, clothing showed wealth, inheritance, and social class. People today are allowed to wear what they desire, but during the Elizabethan Era many women were restricted from many fabrics or materials, colors, and patterns.
In the Medieval Period (1000-1500), what you wore largely depended on what class you were in the feudal system and what your status was. The rich could afford the latest styles and dyes shipped from abroad, while the poor may only own one or two items of clothing.
Clothing styles have changed drastically over the many years of civilization. From hand made, hand sewn, pieces of fabric, to mas produced, factory made, clothing, through technology clothing has changed. The evolution of clothing is due to technological advances in the making of mass produced clothing. Throughout history clothing has had a big impact of social status.
If those who had been poor were to break those laws, there would have been severe punishment. Another type of fashion group were the wealthy and nobility, which were slightly similar to the peasant women except they preferred more elaborate accessories such as fur, waistlines, ornamental bands, jewelry, and double the tunics. Headdress was also one of the groups, which happened to be most of the married women who would put their hair up into a bun shape or braided with a veil but it eventually changed over time. These variety of styles were highly inspired by the medieval
Kings, Queens and Bishops In the middle ages Kings,Queens and Bishops wore similar clothing. Kings wore a robe in either purple or red they also wore a crown covered in jewels and carried an orb. An orb is a six inch ball with a cross on the top. Queens wore a gown in purple or red as well.
Lastly, each color, during this era, had a meaning and also represented which class a person was in. “Elizabethan clothing, material, and fabrics used in Elizabethan Era was extremely important” because clothes represented more than just how you looked it demonstrated your
There was a very clear line in between the wealthy and the poor. Peasants during the era wore layers of belted tunics, cloaks, hats, and boots or clogs for warmth. These types of clothing would never be seen on the wealthier class of people. Many fashion trends from the renaissance time period carried on from time period to time period and are very prevalent still today.
Things like clothing varied from each period. While during the Medieval times, it seemed as if the fashionable look was narrow and ease of the garment, whereas in the Renaissance, they used extravagant cloths and furs, along with padding for a broad silhouette. During the Renaissance, clothing molded you into the fashionable shapes and sizes.