The Dark Ages

The dark ages also known as the middle ages were the time of the decline of the Roman Empire. It was the time of cultural and economic deterioration. This period between 500- 1500 AD were dark times. It was the times of the religious superstitions and of the Black Death the bubonic plague, causing devastation in Europe.

During this period people in different parts of Europe wore different clothing’s also varying the clothing according to the social class a person belonged to. These differences were shown in the clothing styles as well as the material of the clothes.

The pheasants, slaves and the low classes could not afford the high quality materials due to the sumptuary laws. The basic garment that they wore were tunics made of cloth or leather and an over tunic in the colder weather.

 The clothing for the lower class was usually made of woven wool. Men and women both wore similar clothing, the tunics, with slight differences. The tunics were made of long rectangular wool with a hole in the center for the head and crude stitching at the sides, leaving a gap for the neck. Sleeves were not a part of the original garment and were optional to be added in the future.

 Men and women used to wear tunics with slight differences. They used to modify their tunics by cutting slits for places such as arms, legs and the sides for more free movement. The idle tunic length was till thighs, but men would often let the tunics fall just past their knees, while the women would let the tunics fall down their legs to give them the look of a dress.

The length of a men’s tunic depended on their occupation. The workers wore shorter tunics than those who performed more refined tasks.

The men’s tunic was often made of coarser wool and was not as brightly colored as women’s clothing. Men’s tunics were made of undyed wool and were of the colors beige, brown or gray.

Though the garment might be called by different names at different places and during different periods of time, essentially the basic construction of the tunic was the same throughout the centuries.

 The clothing of the wealthy was made of finer fabrics. The under tunics were made of linen were much lighter in weight than those made of wool, and were more durable and comfortable. The production of linen was more time consuming and expensive to purchase and was not affordable by the common serfs.

       

The clothes for Nobles and the aristocracy were made by professional weavers and tailors. Their clothes were made from the most lavish and expensive materials like silk and velvet. Heavier cloth called ‘damask’ was also worn with fur trimmings for the sleeves and the outfit. The nobles also wore fine jewels and diamonds. Their clothing were brightly colored and embellished with jewels.

The women wore full length tunics. The richer the women the more luxurious her clothing was. The women tunics transformed into flowing gowns with elaborate Headgears and veils.