Elizabethan Era

Elizabethan Era was the period under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. This period was known as the ‘Golden Age’ in English history because of the flourishing English literature, art, and poetry at the time. This was also the time that bought many changes in clothing and fashion, the time when fashion became an important part of everyone’s life. Clothing and fashion was no longer just a luxury to indulge in, but a symbol of every individual’s identity in the society.

During Elizabethan era, class segregation and social hierarchy became an important element of the society. It was a fashion conscious age where men and women alike were concerned about the latest fashions. Clothing became such a significant thing that there was even a law related to it.  These laws were passed to maintain the social structure, and stated the type of colours and clothing an individual was allowed to own and wear. These laws were called the ‘Statues of Apparel’ and were enforced by Queen Elizabeth herself in 1574.

It was all about proper division of class. Everything about a person’s apparel was an indicator of their social status; from the style of clothing to its colour and material, it was all about the rank and social standing.

 Higher the rank, the richer the colour and materials of clothing. The most rare and expensive materials were used by the royals and aristocrats. Silk, satin, velvet, damask, taffeta and furs were the most extensively used fabrics by the upper crust of the society. Along with these materials, the clothing’s were layered with brocades, laces, and even gold and silver embroidery. Precious gemstones and gold and silver buttons were also very popular.

These clothing restrictions did not end with the dimensions of upper class and the lower class. There were certain colours and materials that were only permitted to be worn by the royalty. Only royals could wear cloth of gold and ermine. Colours like purple and crimson red were only worn by the nobles and royalty. 

People belonging to the lower classes wore clothing made of materials like wool, linen, and sheepskin. They were only allowed to wear colours like beige, brown, gray, yellow, orange, and pale blues.

During the Elizabethan era, women’s clothing was elaborate and luxurious. The clothing generally consisted of many layers, starting with the thin undergarment made of linen called chemise. Over the chemise came the corset, commonly made of whalebone or wood. Then comes the farthingale and the petticoat. Farthingale was made of hoops to give a dome like structure to the skirt. Along with this came the kirtle, the partlet, ant the gown. Gowns had a split in the middle to reveal some part of the kirtle. Then comes the stockings, the ruff collars, and the stomacher. The outfits also included the embroidered shoes, the hats, and cloaks.These layers depended on the social standing of the women. Common women used to wear fewer layers for easier function. Simple clothing with less restriction made it easier to work in.

                            

Men’s clothing also incorporated some major changes during the Elizabethan period. The similarities between men’s and women’s fashion during the time was that the men’s clothing also consisted of quite a few layers. Their clothing included loose-fitting shirts that gathered at the cuffs, knee length puffy pants or breeches with stockings under them, doublets made of wool or leather, ruffs for wrists and neck collar and elegant capes or cloaks. Men who belonged to the upper class wore clothing made of fabrics like silk, taffeta and wool. Their clothing also included precious jewels and gemstones and embellishments like feathers and brooches. Men from the lower classes wore simpler clothing made of tougher materials and pale natural colours.