Shades of Renaissance Clothing

Renaissance era was a new beginning in the history of Europe.  This era saw a massive change from the prevailing medieval era. It was the period of inventions, wealth, renowned artists, regal etiquette and change in lifestyle due to rise of middle class society. Although in the starting of Renaissance period poverty, cruelty, diseases and disregard for civilians by civil leadership still exist yet with the establishment of middle class a huge difference had been created.   Now, one can notice a great change in living way of civilians this included from their day-to-day activity to their dressing sense.  This was the reason responsible for the change in Renaissance Clothing during that period.

Renaissance clothing had inherited many things from Tudor Era and one of the important inheritances was the clothing which was still considered as status symbol.  Renaissance Clothing was all about excessiveness when it comes to the different areas of dresses.  To show off the rich embroidery and Jewelries darker colour were preferred over lighter shades. Enhanced tailoring technique and elaborated work on fabric that showed the craftsmanship of owner made the clothing more expensive and for owner – he became richer.  To restrict lower class people from wearing multicolor dress a law was passed but people of lower class came with the unique idea to show their displeasure. They used two fabrics together and slashed the outer layer of fabrics so that the contrasting colour would appear.

Renaissance Clothing for women came with unique twist and turn. As in case of Gowns earlier it was wore in three pieces each piece consist of Underskirt, Bodice and robe then to one piece and again to the five pieces of Skirt, Underskirt, Bodice, Vest, Hoop and collar. This was all to maintain a difference between status of rich and poor. Rich Brocades and Jewelries were used while selecting for wedding gowns. Everyone wanted to have beautiful and artfully crafted clothing for their wedding so they used rich quality of fabric as compared to usual days. Older women used to cover their hair with caps and other coverings but younger one did not unless they were told to do so.

Men’s Renaissance Clothing was more fashionable and colourful than women’s. Square look was in fashion and to get a perfect square look vest and coat were widened at the shoulder and padded. The cloak of men became shorter than earlier centuries. The shirts were designed from lenin and people belonging to all status wore woolen cloths but poor people wore coarser quality. Shoes were squared too at toe and to complete the look wide hat were worn. The hair of men was straight, curled or short almost like modern men depending upon the one’s taste.

Renaissance clothing was also seen as an investment. Dresses designed from rich fabrics along with embedded precious metals and deep and heavy embroidery were expensive and exclusive therefore people used to keep them for hard times for their earning.