ELIZABETHAN CLOTHING

By: Jala Harrison & Paige Lofton

Upper Class

• ~ Clothes for this class and this era in

general were influenced by geometric shapes

rather than the natural body type.

HOW CLOTHING REPRESENTED THE SOCIAL CLASSES

Upper Class Fashion Restrictions

• The Queen and her relatives were

the only people allowed to wear

cloth of gold or gold tissues.

Changes in the Upper Class Fashion

• At the beginning, of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, women were more modest and they were completely covered. As time went on, women’s fashion became more seductive and feminine. The men’s fashion didn’t change much, but the women adopted more of the men’s fashion.

The Fashion• The Upper Classes clothes

were heavily decorated with jewels, pearls, etc. Most of the clothes were tight, hot, and uncomfortable to be in. When the nobles weren’t out in public, they were able to wear more comfortable, loose clothes.

Middle Class

• The sumptuary laws decided what the

middle class would wear based on their

land ownership or annual income. Those

that were in the middle class did not like

this and would love to try the authorities.

CONTINUED…

The Fashion

• They would often wear things similar

to the upper class and nobles, but

they would just have different fabrics

and simpler trims. The children and

adults would have similar outfits, but

the children’s outfit was less

complex than the adults.

Lower Class• The lower class had

completely different fabrics than the rest. Instead of having satin, silk, and velvet, the lower class had to wear wool, linen, and sheep skin.

CONTINUEDThe Fashion • Women wore chemises

and would also wear snoods and cauls to keep their hair up. They would wear skirts that came to their ankles, garters, and bodices that laced in the front.

• Men also wore chemises and similar shirts to the women and breeches. Some would wear a heavy vest over their shirts.

ELIZABETHAN SUMPTUARY LAWS

~These laws were made to…

Provided strict clothing guidelines in order to limit

costs to people on clothes.

To recognize each class be wardrobe.

LAWS & PUNISHMENTS FOR BREAKING SUMPTUARY LAWS

Punishments for breaking the law…

~ Fines

~ Loss of property

~ Title

~ AND EVEN LIFE!!!!!

LAW FOR MEN

NO MEN SHALL WEAR….

~ any silk of the color purple

~ no cloth of gold unless relatives of Nobility

~ no fur of sables

Those who were relatives to the king and

queen were allowed to wear the things above.

LAW FOR WOMEN

NO WOMAN SHALL WEAR

~ any cloth of gold

~ no fur of sables

~ absolutely no velvet, gold, or silver in their

petticoat

Those who were relatives to the king and

queen were allowed to wear the things above.

CLOTHING FOR MEN

Underclothes consists of… Shirts

Stocking or hoseCodpieceCorset

Over clothes consists of… Doublet Separate

sleeves Breeches Belt Ruff Cloak Shoes Hat

CLOTHING FOR WOMEN

Underclothes consists

of… Smock/shift Corset/bodice Farthinghale A roll/rowle Stomacher Petticoat Kirtle Forepart Partlet

Over clothes consists of… Gown Separate

sleeves Ruff Cloak Shoes Hat

COLORS AND THEIR MEANING

Red symbolized fire and was associated with power and importance.Crimson symbolized fire, the presence of God, and the blood of martyrs.Indigo symbolized power, importance, wealth, and heavenly grace.Purple symbolized penitence, mourning, and the liturgical.White symbolized purity and virtue.Black symbolized authority, power, and death. Could also symbolize humility and plainness.Pink symbolized joy and happiness.

CONTINUED…

Blue symbolized heavenly grace.Orange symbolized courage.Brown symbolized humility, poverty, and plainness.Grey symbolized mourning and repentence.

HAIR AND HATS FOR WOMEN

Since Queen Elizabeth had natural, vibrant red hair, many tried to copy it, using wigs.Women’s hair was usually long and wavy.The Coif, the French Hood, the Atifet, the Caul, and the Pillbox were common hats and head coverings for women.

HAIR AND HATS FOR MEN

Men also wore wigs, occasionally.

The Muffin Cap, the Tall Crown, the

Flat Cap, and the Toque were often

worn by men.

Men often wore their beards long

and occasionally pointed, squared,

round, or oblong. Some even wore

them T-shaped.