The term renaissance means a ‘new beginning’ and this ‘new beginning’ in dresses happened around 1490 A.D. During this time frame too many changes in all area of costumes started. Let us take the example of Northern Europe where people were wearing padding sleeves, stockings and doublets and leading to disturbance in natural figure. Northern zone of Europe was much ahead in their renaissance costumes while Italy was still attached to medieval way of dresses. France and England were too in Italy’s league while Germans were making advancement in technology and tailoring skills to produce improved version of renaissance dresses. They make ample use of puffs whether large or small. They put small puffs at back, arms, chest, legs and feet; large puffs, over shoulders, head and thighs.
By this time changes in clothing brought completely different level of dresses and new discoveries in this field. However there were some common or we can say basic features of renaissance clothes of all countries. Those dresses were voluminous in size, fitted body garments, large sleeves with or without puff and frills, large hip clothing, heelless shoes, wide toed and covered heads of both, men and women.
Bobbed cut hair was in fashion among men during that time however length of hair was cut in accordance with individual taste. They keep hair curled or straight as they wanted. Most of them preferred to keep hair shorter as modern men’s hair. They wore low crowned, brimmed cap in distinct varieties. They keep their cap all turned-up around or just one side turned. Women wore hat in same manner as that of men. They kept length of the hair long and straight. Headgears like crescent, bonnet or gorget, wimple, gable and kennel were the part of their daily wear. In peasant women's clothing cote, handkerchief and collar had their own place. They used to wear collar or handkerchief around neck.
To make their presence felt strong, people during those times wore dark colored dresses and velvet was considered as staple fabric of those times. Slashing and puffing of dresses was common. Slashing was a technique used to create contrasting effect in wardrobe. Slits was created in the garment horizontally, diagonally or vertically through which different puffed fabric peeped out. In the beginning of renaissance era common people were not allowed to wear colorful dresses and ruler took slashing technique as a sign of rebel against them.
The colorful effect of gold and burgundy for wrist ruffles and collars were substituted by white linen. Mostly the sleeves of all garments were designed in funnel shape – tighten towards the cuff and big in start. Their voluminous dresses had exquisitely designed embroideries. They even had embroidery on socks (at ankle) and boots which was called clocking. People who were working in government offices or in the service of king’s or queen’s wore office chains. These heavy office chains were worn around neckline or chest as an embellishing piece.
Renaissance clothing for men was mostly focused on providing them rich and opulent look. In the similar fashion women’s renaissance clothing was too luxurious and extravagant but had more elegant appeal.
