Elizabethan Era clothing was well-known for the mélange of fashion with a person’s social status. The clothing Elizabethans wore was even governed by Sumptuary Laws, which if violated, could be penalized harshly like fines, the loss of property, title and even life! Interesting huh?
If we could have already flown to Makah for the historical Makah clothing, to Milan/Paris to see the fashion show of trendy Plein Sud clothing, and to Mexico for the kaleidoscopic Mexican clothing, I wonder if we could take a time machine back to Elizabethan Era. I will contact Doc in ‘Back To The Future’ now. Let’s get ready for an exhilarating history tour.
Elizabethan Era Clothing Overview
We can find many facets of clothing in this era where fashion ideas were ubiquitous. Elizabethans found self-expression through the fashion in the elaborate and styled clothes. The women did not call a single garment a dress. They rather wore several garments altogether and called that a dress.
Fashion in the early Elizabethan Era was more of a modest affair where ladies in the upper class wore a fitted bodice to accentuate the small waist. A ruffled yoke worn by the women also showed her superiority in the hierarchy.
Elizabethan Era clothing encompasses methods like padding and quilting, which were used to solidify the textile in order to retain the shape, especially to accentuate the shoulder and the hip area. The concept was essentially intended to show a small waist but that did not only apply to women. Men used girdles to give an impression of a thin body too.
Clothing embellished with brocades such as heavy cut velvets, lace or gold and silver embroidery was the characteristic of the noble class. Cords and ribbons were used to tie the clothing besides the common use of buttons. Gold and silver buttons, which were set with gemstones at times, were the common elements found in Elizabethan Era outfits.
Snoods, which have been a scenario in the fashion comeback in the past few years, were also popular in that fashion conscious era. They were a kind of headdress used as the favorite accessories. The Sumptuary Laws allowed only The Queen and her relations to wear clothing adorned with gold or gold tissue. More about these laws will be discussed below.
Women’s Items in Elizabethan Era Clothing
Just like modern days, women’s clothing covers a wider range of items than men’s. Below is the complete list.
Underclothes
- Smock or shift, also called a chemise made of linen
- Stockings or hose
- Corset or bodice
- Farthingale - a hooped skirt
- A Roll or Rowle
- Stomacher
- Petticoat
- Kirtle
- Forepart
- Partlet
Over Clothes
- Gown
- Separate sleeves
- Ruff
- Cloak
- Shoes
- Hat
Men’s Items in Elizabethan Era Clothing
Men’s clothing is slightly fewer as illustrated in the list below.
Underclothes
- Shirt
- Stockings or hose
- Codpiece
- Corset
Over Clothes
- Doublet
- Separate sleeves
- Breeches
- Belt
- Ruff
- Cloak
- Shoes
- Hat
Fashionable Elizabethan Era Clothing and The Sumptuary Laws
The Elizabethan could recognize a person’s status from the garments they wore alone. It was not merely stated by the wealth but the social standing as well. The Royalty was allowed to wear garments trimmed with ermine while the lesser Nobles wore clothes trimmed with Fox and otter. The Sumptuary Laws, also known as Statutes of Apparel, stated who was allowed to wear what types and colors of clothing, so the people’s rank and privilege could be recognized easily. More detailed about the textiles used will be discussed in the next section.
Material, Fabrics and Characteristics in Elizabethan Era Clothing
The material and fabrics was of utmost important as it showed the status of a person. The members in the noble or upper classes wore clothes that made of silk, velvet, furs, taffeta and satin while wool, linen and sheepskin were the common material found in the garments of the lower classes.
Not only the material and fabrics but also the colors of Elizabethan clothing were dictated by their status which was enforced by Sumptuary Laws as decreed by Queen Elizabeth on 15th June 1574. These laws were intended to limit the expenses of the people on clothing as well as to keep the social structure in the Elizabethan Class system well-maintained. They were strictly obeyed by all the Elizabethan that they only wore what they were allowed.
Elizabethan women generally emulated the men’s fashion. The frilled collar was short for men’s clothing while it was long and feminine for women. It was interesting in the slashing of the clothes. Elizabethan Era clothing was slashed to reveal the garments worn below for presenting the contrasting colors. Both men and women wore doublets which accentuate the shoulder and the hip area. Bright colors robes being the popular clothing were expensive. The deep crimson robe worn by Queen Elizabeth in the earlier portraits was an example. The deep red color dyes were expensive because it was extracted from a kind of insect which only found in the Mediterranean.
Men wore embroidered shirts with buttons down which was commonly known as “jerkins”. Fine silk hats with a single feather, shoes made of fine quality leather, long and flowing cloaks and tall hats were also the characteristics of men belonged to the noble class. All in all, fashion played an important role in that era where clothing was highly influenced by social status. I hope you find this article resourceful. You can read about gothic clothing which is inspired by Elizabethan Era clothing.
Elizabethan Era clothing
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