Mens Womens Fashion of Renaissance Clothing

Renaissance clothing has become a fashion statement in this modern world. Dresses for men and women are being inspired by the Renaissance dresses from Europe. Mediaeval costumes provide an elegant and graceful look to the wearer. Portraits of aristocratic men and ladies from Europe have provided the inspiration for the design of these mediaeval costumes meant for modern men and women.

Renaissance dresses for women include long gowns covering the feet, but without the flow of gathers. These modern Renaissance-style gowns are figure-hugging. Cotton, linen and laces are used to enhance the impression of a Renaissance dress. Cuts and shapes follow the trends popular in the mediaeval costumes as we see in the paintings of those eras.

An important Renaissance dress for women is inspired by the mediaeval chemise. Chemise was a long and lose cotton or linen tunic worn in mediaeval times by the ladies under all their Renaissance dresses. Its chief function was to provide an elegant fall to the outer garment and to absorb perspiration. Modern Renaissance dress inspired by the chemise can be worn as the main dress in a stylish mediaeval costume fashion. It comes in white, black, patterned fabric or even in bright colours such as burgundy red. Sleeves are long and may be detached in some Renaissance costumes.

Cloaks, robes and capes are other pieces of Renaissance dresses inspired by the mediaeval costumes. They provide a regal look to the wearer and may be made from cotton, silk, satin, velvet and synthetic fabric.

Pirate clothing is very popular for men interested in Renaissance clothing. Men’s pirate clothing has a full ensemble in the form of pirate shirts, capes, cloaks, coats, tunics and vests. Medieval costumes for men in the form of coats and tunics may be in bold colours such as maroon, blue or black and may be embroidered with brocade. Caps may have gems, brocade and feathers adorning them. Swords and daggers complete the pirate clothing accessories for men’s mediaeval costumes.

Renaissance Dresses How It All Started

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.

Clothing of medieval Men and Women

Renaissance clothing was part of people’s social status. Laws were imposed to differentiate upper class people from lower class on the babies of material and color of fabric. The people of lower strata could only wear the costumes made from shipskin, linen, wool and cotton while the upper section could wear attire of expensive fabrics like silk, damask, velvet, viscous rayon, satin, fur and taffeta and some of them were stitched from silver or gold thread. Back then renaissance costumes not only define social status but also they were the symbol of people’s profession. It was a means to create a difference between rich and poor and also differentiate person on the base of profession.

Renaissance men’s costume

Woolen jackets and pants or knickers were worn with renaissance shirt. Men of upper class wore jacket and hose. The sleeves were long and more elaborative than commoner and are made from expensive fabrics. To remain protected from harsh and cold climate, nomadic barbarians made their cloths from fur, leather and wool. Their shoes were made of leather and had long trousers. Different class of people wore tunics of different length for instance commoners wore tunics upto knees while old men and monks wore them to the ground and members of royal families used to wear them upto feet but on formal occasion only. In the middle age itself, from a loose fitting garment it became a tighter one.

Renaissance women’s costumes

Peasant women wore kirtle made of wool and linen. Like corset these kirtles were too laced down on the back. They wore two or more than two layers of this long tunic but didn’t wear knickers. Pants were never a part of their attire but put on socks. Women belonging to royal and noble family wore tall hats decorated with beautiful designs and fur. In their view high foreheads were sign of beauty thus they plucked hairs from their forehead. Elite women’s costumes were made from rich and superior quality fabrics. Each of their costume had detail work; their gowns were designed from rich embroidery and embedded precious gems and stones.

Married women were not allowed to hang their hair loose because letting one’s hair loose was associated with witchcraft. This let them to develop several braiding styles but everywoman didn’t have sharp hand in hair styling. It was done by hairdressers. Hairdressers and maids were only afforded by elite women. Lower category women’s were depended on clothes and on their physical features for their beauty. They wore tight caps and nets over hair and then tied it in a bun.

Medieval people were more concern about their looks in comparison to today’s generation according to their status in society. Costumes of that era was much more than the need of protection and utility, it was a way of showing one’s standing in the society. There was no limit in the creativity and designs related to the costumes of each class.

Medieval and renaissance costumes are quite famous for many events and festivals. If you are haunting for renaissance shirts and other medieval clothing we recommend you to visit our website renaissance-outfits.com. You will be amazed by the collections that we offer.