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.

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