Renaissance Fashion - Women's Clothing in Elizabethan England
The Elizabethan period in costume design refers to that time encompassed by the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (from 1558 - 1603) during the Renaissance. The daughter of King Henry VIII and Ann Boleyn, Elizabeth became one of the world's most famous monarchs. The style of clothing and fashions of the Elizabethan era are distinctive and striking, and easily recognizable today and popular with designers of historic costume.
As in the Middle Ages, the fabrics used to create garments of the Elizabethans were wool and linen. Clothing of the upper classes also included silk, cotton, and other imported fabrics. Fashions worn by the elite inspired the dress of lower classes and rural women, though the fabric, weave, and embellishments improved with economic status.
The clothing worn by Elizabethans look heavy and over done to many of us today. But weather in England during the period was cool and wet as northern Europe shivered in the grip of a mini Ice Age. So the heaviness of Elizabethan fashion was out of necessity, yet is remembered as romantic and beautiful, and still popular as seen at the Renaissance Festivals of modern times.
Queen Elizabeth I
Elizabethan England - Historical Background
Elizabeth Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and Ann Boleyn ascended to the thrown of England after the death of her half sister Mary (daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon). Henry VIII had assumed the role as leader of the Church in England when the Catholic Pope refused to grant Henry an annulment from Catherine of Aragon. During those difficult times, the idea of freedom of religion was not on anyone's mind. Religion was a state establishment so the fight was over which religion would be the state religion.
England, at the time, was still basically a feudal society. Most people lived in the country. In Elizabethan family based culture, the nuclear family, servants, and apprentices lived and worked in close proximity. While women were subservient to men and performed the usual household chores, their work also included the care of livestock and kitchen garden; assistance at harvest; the making of cheese, butter, candles, and soap. Women commonly had basic medical skills, spun wool, and knit.
Employment opportunities included domestic service, laundry and seamstress work. The wife of a craftsman might assist in the shop, the running of a business, or take over the business if widowed. Women earned money by selling produce, eggs, butter, spun wool, and other items made or produced at home.
The population exploded during Elizabeth's reign despite widespread disease including several outbursts of plague. Irish troubles, war with Spain,and a growing underclass of unemployed poor added to Elizabeth's challenges. But in a time when women were subservient to men, a woman ruled a great and powerful nation. Her personality, intelligence, and style are recognisable and admirable to us today.
Damask
Elizabethan Clothing - Textiles
Linen and wool were the most common fabrics used during the Elizabethan era. As in the Middle Ages, people wore linen undergarments next to the skin. Linen, made from the flax plant is comfortable, cool, and easy to launder. In a time when people rarely washed their clothes, linen could be washed and became softer with use.
- Wool keeps the body warm in cold weather, and cool in warm weather. Wool produces long lasting fabrics, takes dyes well, and does not absorb moisture.
- Fulled wool, or heavily felted wool is tough and durable. Felted wool, that is wool that is washed to shrink, was often so dense that it did not need hemming as it would not unravel.
- Both wool and linen appeared in finer weaves for the upper classes. Linen, imported from France and the Low Countries, appeared in heavy or finer weaves with Lawn being the finest weave.
- Imported cotton was used to create fabrics and blended with linen to make Fustian.
- For thick, dense fabrics, canvas was made of hemp.
The luxurious fashions depicted in Elizabethan art work most often reflect the clothing worn by royalty, the nobility, and the elite. The upper classes wore garments made of silk, satin, velvet, damask, and taffeta, in addition to wool and linen. Finer linens were bleached in the sun, embroidered, or block printed. Fashionable embellishments included braiding, borders, embroidery, lace, guarding (ribbon trim), and gems or pearls sewn onto the fabric.
- Leather was used to make shoes, gloves, hats, belts, and men's doublets and breeches.
- Colors came from natural dyes that often faded, so even richly colored garments became muted over time. Brown and gray, cheaper dyes, were the obvious choice of the lower classes. Blue, another somewhat inexpensive dye is associated with servants and apprentices. Blue fades easily, so a light shade was predominant.
- Black, an expensive, fashionable shade, and a Spanish influence, shows up often in royal portraits of Elizabethan England, especially for men.
- Two shades of red occur frequently in Elizabethan clothing. A russet red, made from the plant called madder created a warm, homey hue, while a brighter crimson red, made from imported dyes was reserved for royalty.
Elizabethan Style - Layers
Undergarments made of linen were easy to wash and often the only garments that were laundered. Both men and women wore similar under shirts, much like the under tunics of the Middles Ages. Women's under-gowns, or smocks, reached the knee or fell full length.
A kirtle was a long, slightly fitted dress without a defined waistline, a simple garment similar to those worn during the Middle Ages. On top of this, a woman wore a bodice, several layers of petti-coats (or skirts), and a cloak.
Layers were needed for comfort in the chilly, damp climate of Elizabethan England.
Elizabethan Costume - V Shaped Bodice, Ruff, and Split Skirt with Matching Sleeves
The Elizabethan Bodice
A bodice is a close fitting garment for the upper body. Elizabethan bodices were quite stiff, severe, and almost masculine in a shape that presented wide shoulders, and a small waist like an inverted triangle. Some bodices drew into a narrow V shape at the waist as pictured on the right.
Necklines changed over the years. While low necklines were popular at the beginning and toward the end of Elizabeth's reign, necklines were high in the middle years.
Young, unmarried women wore lower bodice necklines. Often, a high necked smock, worn with a low necked bodice, created an interesting contrast between the heavy bodice fabric and the lighter muslin or linen of the smock.
Bodices often featured decorative tabs called pickadills at the waist. Also, with embellishment by rolls or wings at the armholes, the same bodice could appear quite different with detachable sleeves for variety.
The fashionable elite used whale bone (baleen) stiffening, willow wood, or steel in their bodices. A busk was an extra piece used for stiffening and was made from wood, bone, or ivory, and attached by a ribbon at the top. The tiny ribbon often seen today at the top center of a bra is a last reminder of the busk.
The flattened bosom and stiffened upper torso restricted upper body movement so was limited to the idle elite. Working women and commoners would have been unable to function with such restriction. Front laced bodices (so popular with Renaissance Fair attendees) were worn by working and common women. Back laced bodices were limited to women with servants. Bodices were fastened by lacing or with hook and eye.
Detachable sleeves added pizazz and variety to a bodice (as mentioned above). The wide, cuffed trumpet shaped sleeves of the 1540's - 1550's gave way to a narrower Spanish style sleeve. A high, wide appearance with slashed upper sleeves evolved int shoulder loops, pads, and the elaborate shoulder rolls of the 1580's.
False sleeves created an elegant style when elongated at the back to drape down to the floor.
Eizabethan Woman Wearing Lace Ruff
The Ruff - An Elizabethan Collar
One of the most distinctive elements of Elizabethan fashion is the exaggerated collar called a ruff.
Early on, a gathered neckline produced a simple ruffle at the neck. Later, a separate piece of detachable ruffle could be tied around the neck. The ruff became more elaborate and eventually took on the gargantuan proportions that framed the face.
In 1565, the addition of starch created the ability to increase the size and height of the ruff. By 1580, ruffs became so massive, they required a wire framework for support. Ruffs were made of fine muslin or lace, or muslin trimmed with lace and often paired with matching cuffs at the wrist.
Late Elizabethan fashions included a falling band which was a separate, detachable collar made of lace or embroidered linen.
Common women and country women often wore a chin cloth to protect their faces and skn from the sun and wind. They also wore a kerchief over their shoulders.
Elizabethan Clothing - 2 Londoners and a Country Woman - the Lady on the Left is Wearing a Coif on her Head, the Lady on the Right is Wearing a Kerchief
Queen Elizabeth I wearing a wheeled farthingale
Elizabethan Skirts and the Farthingale
Elizabethan style demanded a tight upper body paired with a voluminous lower body. A heavy outer skirt split open into an A-line shape in the center, revealed an attractive under-skirt or petti-coat. Sometimes the exposed under-skirt or forepart was paired with matching bodice sleeves.
While cool weather created the need to wear several layers of petti-coats for warmth, skirt size became an extreme fashion trend.
The Farthingale was the hoop skirt of Renaissance costume. Beginning as a padded roll to extend the width of the the top of the skirt, it evolved into a hoop skirt - circular strips of whale bone (baleen), wood, or steel were inserted horizontally into the fabric of an under skirt.
Originating in Spain to create a dome shaped skirt, a farthingale held skirt fabric away from the legs and offered ease of movement. A lower class woman might wear a padded roll for fashion as well as convenience.
The wheel farthingale produced the exaggerated, huge skirt pictured at the right.
Skirts often featured hems or borders that could be easily replaced if worn out or soiled.
A belt or 'girdle' functioned as a hanger for carrying items such as purses and bags for the elite and common people of both genders.
Elizabethan Shoes and Footwear
Shoes of the Elizabethan period were generally blunt toed and flat, and made of leather or fabric. Women's dress shoes made of silk, velvet, or brocade were often decorated with embellishments.
Early Elizabethan slip-ons gave way to laced or buckled shoes.
Most shoes of the time were made the same for both feet. After wearing, the leather or fabric molded to the shape of the foot.
Platform or high heeled shoes originated for convenience. Pattens were tie-on over shoes that held the foot up off the ground, protecting the shoe from dirt, mud, or debris. Similarly, chopines made of cork or wood lifted the foot up away from debris or dirt in work places, on roads, or in the street.
The Renaissance introduced the wearing of high heels for vanity and style. Mary Tudor (1/2 sister of Queen Elizabeth) wore high heels to improve her stature and appear more regal.
Woman Wearing French Hood
Queen Elizabeth in Attifet and Ruff
Elizabethan Flat Hat
Woman Wearing Coif
Elizabethan Hair, Hats, and Face
Women wore their hair long when young and unmarried, often adding headbands or circlets of fresh flowers. After marriage, women pinned up and covered their hair. Fashionable women added hair extensions, golden chains, pearls, or feathers int elaborately braided or twisted hair styles.
A coif was a close fitting cap made of linen, sometimes referred to as a Mary Stuart cap (after Mary Queen of Scots) who wore one in a famous portrait. A Woman might wear a hat on top of a coif.
Early Elizabethen women wore a French hood, a fabric bonnet shaped with wires, a style introduced to England by Elizabeth's mother, Ann Boleyn. The half moon or crescent shaped style was a glorified head-band with a veil attached at the rear.
The Attifet, similar to the French hood, dipped in the center to create a heart shape, often decorated with the addition of lace.
A caul was an attractive hair net or snood, worn simply or festooned with decorations such as pearls or beads.
Between 1568 - 1574, Sumptuary laws (an old fashioned method of keeping people in their place by regulating attire) required all women, unless gentle women, the wives of nobility, to cover their hair.
A kercher or kerchief, a triangular piece of muslin tied around the head and was worn under a hat.
Women also wore pill box hats, flat hats (like a beret), and small brimmed hats similar to men's hats.
The ideal Elizabethan face was pale and sometimes highlighted by the application of cosmetics - rouge for the cheeks and a bit of color on the lips. Occasionally, eye lids were tinted. Cosmetics were used by the fashion elite and were lead based products.
Perfume was popular for both men and women and almost necessary at a time when bathing was a rare occurrence.
(All of the pictures used in this article are from wikimedia commons)
Books consulted:
Costume and Styles: The Evolution of Fashion From Early Egypt to the Present by Henny Harald Hansen: E.P. Dutton & Co.
Daily Life in Elizabethan England, by Jeffrey L. Singman; Greenwood Press
Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion; edited by Valerie Steele: Scribner Library
Encyclopedia of the Renaissance; Scribners
For more reading on Queen Elizabeth's fashions, check outhttp://www.elizabethancostume.net/influence.html
Elizabethan Costume Design - Click to Buy Books or Patterns
 | This book had lots of favorable reviews and is often called the best of its kind, offering information for the advanced seamstress or one who has some understanding of pattern design. Amazon Price: $26.35 List Price: $39.95 |
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Comments
katie - thank you! Elizabethan clothes were beautiful! I even like the clothing worn by the commoners, the layers and the pretty muslin...I keep thinking how much fun it would be to make an Elizabethan costume, but, boy oh boy, what a lot of work that would be.
Oh so true the commoners clothing is the best for everyday, especially here in Ohio. There's this amazing little shoppe here that has great Renaissance fashion and in fact specializes in those most commonly worn by the commoners. We rarely have the opportunity to dress up as they did for a purpose. I do like your idea of making your own, it'd be great for Christmas parties etc.
:) Katie
katie - I fell in love with some outfits at a shop one year at a Renaissance fair, but boy were they expensive. I made myself a dress once, but it was really more of a Middle Ages style because that Elizabethan and Renaissance look are just too darn hard. Not knowing what I was doing and creating the costume from scratch (making it up) I wound up ripping the arm hole. Oh well.....a Renaissance Christmas would be just beautiful!
Wow... you have very informative hub. Fashion is always beautiful and I can see how people use their creativity to make these creations. Thanks for writing this. Vote up. Take care!
Prasetio
Hi prasetio! Thank you very much. Glad you stopped by!
You write great hubs on fashion thorugh out the ages. I particularly love reading about the Elizabethans, especially since a series of TV films were made in recent years on 'The Tudors' featuring lots of what you feature here in your hub. Very interesting and educational. Thanks for the hub.
chs - actually, we have been watching the Tudors, which depicts England when Elizabeth was still a child. I love the costumes and have enjoyed telling my husband the name of certain hats, telling him about 'slashing' and other tidbits. Thanks!
I love the Elizabethan period. Really enjoyed reading your article. I watch the Tudors when the dvd's for the past season are released. I love costumes myself and dress up was an enjoyable past time as a child. Holle Abee and I looked forward to Halloween for weeks when we were kids.
Beth - well Elizabeth was just a girl in that show, so it actually was not Elizabethan, though it was Renaissance. See? I'm actually learning something writing these things. I am currently watching that show on DVDs and just love it to death but I keep getting mad when they 'change' facts and can't help getting really mad that they portray Henry #8 as having black hair and being a squirt. He was a big redhead GDI! --- Thank you!
I read endlessly about Henry VIII and up through the reign of Elizabeth I. I have a similar fascination for the time period of Louis XIV of France. I agree with you on the choise of Henry for the Tudors. LOL
The comment in regard to the Tudors was in response to prior comments in regard to the show. I prefer the Elizabethan period over the Renaissance but I like both. :)
The Elizabethan Era was the pinnacle of the Renaissance in England, as this hub infers. Many people erroneously see them as two different periods.
Great description of Elizabethan apparel! Rated up!
Beth - I know. Sheesh, I'm not that far gone, haha.
habee - hi! Boy you certainly are prolific. Anyway, good to see you - how do you get the time to make comments? Thank you!
Very interesting hub! I love reading about clothing history, and I especially enjoyed the way you wove together history with fashion so beautifully.
I found it fascinating that they only washed their undergarments. My goodness, I think they all must have stunk a little, but no one noticed because they all smelt the same!
Great hub!
prairie - they weren't much on bathing either. Thank you for you kind comment. Every time that I research one of these clothing hubs, I can't help but get a bit of history in as fashion is intertwined with the social and political events of the past.
I've always been interested in this era i love the clothing and all the details, one day i plan on having a party theme with renaissance just so i can wear a custume haha! Great hub
Ellarose - if you can't get your friends to agree to the costume party, visit a Renaissance Festival near you. Visitors often dress up in the styles of the day and become part of the whole show! Thank you!
I would have died wearing all those layers... Queen Elizabeth the First is my favorite ruler. I love European History....
Mrs. J.B - Queen Elizabeth was one amazing woman in a time when women had very little power. Hers is a great story and a fascinating background. Thank you!
Very beautiful clothing back then, love the look of it. It must have been a process getting into it and they honestly don't look that comfortable to wear.
Elizabethan era, has a very regal form of clothing style and fashion trend. Though, if this style is seen today, I guess, it will not be that popular, for this generation is more on mini and short length.
Personally speaking, your post reminds me that beauty and fashion varies through generation. What is beautiful and stylish today, will be gone tomorrow.Though, there are times that the sense of fashion goes back. Yet, looking at today's trend, it is quite impossible to goes back to the style of Elizabethan era, eh.
really beautiful explanation about renaissance clothing dress up...
i liked your hubs..its amazing posting..
Those Elizabethan clothes may look magnificent, but must have been very uncomfortable and restricting to wear. Thank god for central heating and washing machines. Interesting, well written hub
swedal - I think that the common folks were probably a lot more comfortable! Thanks!
Cathyrin - well take a look at people who attend Renaissance Festivals. Lots of them go in costume. There you can still see people dressed in Renaissance and Elizabethan styles! Thanks!
fashion - thanks!
CMHypno - thank you! Dirty too as they did not launder the outer clothing but only the muslin under tunics and shifts.
I like this very comprehensive hub, interesting read.
Woowww vote up. This is very interesting hub.
Wonderful stuff..As we all know England has very good tradition and culture background. These clothings are wonderful and your words too. This site is informative..thanks for sharing.
mh, you an interesting article here. Thanks for the information
deepetch - thank you - glad you enjoyed it!
crystolite - thank you for reading and commenting!
Very in-depth article, almost as layered as an Elizabethan dress. Love all the portraits as well. The family portrait at the end is especially charming. All the children are dressed like miniature adults! It's amazing how the fashions have changed.
callum - when you really look around, today's children are dressed pretty much like adults too. Thanks for the lovely comment!
An interesting hub that needs much attention and time.I really LOVE the Elizebethan era cos is an era of much decency in mode of dressing.
crystolite - they may have dressed decently, but they were not what we may call decent people. The royals back then would chop off your head just for disaggreeing with them!
Enjoyed reading your hub. Love reading articles on various historical periods.
Maria - thank you! (So do I!)
Fantastic work Dolores, a visual feast and very informative too. I loved your use of artwork to illustrate your hub. Elizabeth herself is a fascinating character, too. I'm glad we live in more live and let live age. I prefer to be able to breathe in my clothes.
What a nice Hub. I enjoyed it. (Not sure I'm a fan of making the little girls wear "The Outfits" too, though. :) ) In all seriousness, beautiful Hub.
Nice hub on Women's Clothing in Elizabethan England. Great pics and really insightful reading. Voted UP and rated USEFUL
This will be a great hub to refer back to for teachers trying to convey the period in history. Thank you for the great hub!
wannabewestern - thank you! I recently watched the TV series, the Tudors, and so wish they had gone on with the story of Elizabeth and Mary. It was a fascinating time, but boy, were they mean!
Lisa - I've looked at so many pictures of people in the past, and thought the same thing too - how silly it looked for the children to be dressed like the adults. But when I look around, I see that it's the same today, for the most part. Thanks!
speedbird - thank you for your kindness!
trimor - thank you. I need to do anther on Renaissance fashion, adding the rest of Europe into the mix.
Dolores Monet, Amazing well researched hub with marvelous attention to detail & illustrations! Another wonderful historical expose! Incredible Renaissance design artistry in these exquisite costumes. I thoroughly enjoyed the “Tudors” that showcased these regal, finely detailed bodice fitting, brilliant fashions! Thank you for sharing, Peace & Blessings!
DeBorrah - thank you for the lovely comment. These fashion hubs do take a lot of work, but it is so interesting, so a lot of fun. Peace and Blessings to you as well.
Beautiful fashions for the times. Your hub is so well done, love the pictures.
This is a very nice article. thanks for sharing it with us. I also like the pictures you displayed here.
Beautiful period, amazing article. Thanks for sharing your vast knowledge!
Nice story. I have been wearing Elizabethan era clothing on purpose for about 2 decades. I am an actual lady of descent of MacLeod of MacLeod of Harris and Dunvegan. In the line of Assynt, decendant of Ardvreck. Oi too many septs in MacLeod lol. I have been wearing commoner from 1570 Scotland on purpose to prove a point. It is not only comfortable but to show you don't have to sacrifice your dignity like people often do today to look good. Although castle Ardvreck was destroyed and only Dunvegan remains in MacLeod I try my best to keep our ancient traditions alive.
Interesting hubs. Nice story. Love Elizabethan era ..beautiful cloths. :-)
Love this one. Great historical fashion examples.
Great hub! I'm a fahionista and have been in awe over how fashion has changed so much over the centuries. I can't imagine being strapped at the waist until my waist measured 13 inches (by then, i would be unconscious from lack of oxygen) but Queen Elizabeth was quite young when she took the throne. I also love history so this was a nice piece.
Thanks!
Wow! What a great piece of work!!!
Leighsue - thank you very much!
Chim4real - glad that you enjoyed!
SuzetteBoston - thank you. They were gorgeous styles.
Alice - what a wonderful thing, to keep history alive like that! I once wandered into a club meeting, I forgot what the club was called, but they meet to discuss and share historic skills. They were lovely people and happy to teach anyone the old time skills - weavers, spinners, and jewelry makers. Some of the men smelted metal! Thank you for sharing!
Kate - thank you!
MarySmith - historical fashions are fascinating. Glad you liked.
2ndlife - a lot of the stiff fabrics and corseting came from the idea that women were 'weak' and needed support. Seems like they did not get it that support creates muscle weakness. Thank you.
Radioguy - thank you!
nice hub, well informed good work, kudos I say kudos
Wow - this is such a cool article! I've always been fascinated with the Elizabethan age. Someday I'd love to make a period costume, and I'll be sure to come back here when I do!
Hi, Rose - well making one is a whole different story. I try to make these fashion history hubs as sort of an introduction. Making one takes a lot more info. I tried to make an Elizabethan costume but took way too many short cuts and it turned out badly. Good luck! I should include some links to costume patterns for folks to make at home. Thanks!
You have collected such a nice information about Elizabeth fashion. I have wondering for the information from many times as the elegant lady Elizabeth dressing styles are a statement for fashion loving people.
Wonderfully thorough hub, must have taken a fair bit of research. I have always liked the style of the Elizabethan bodice, with that long shape to it.
sagbee - one of the best places to see Elizabethan fashion is to visit a Renaissance Festival where many of the visitors dress are in costume as well as the actors. Thanks!
dingdon - oh yes, it certainly is beautiful. And I consulted several books on the topic. Then, I wanted to list the books after I put the hub together and forgot a couple of them. I can be quite disorganized. Thank you!
By the Way, Certain Friendly Hubbers - while I appreciate your interest and comments, I do not publish comments that don't make any sense. No offense.
This is a cool article!You worked alot on it. I believe it's not easy to get all the information and pictures, but this really made a historical article really cool. Thank you Dolores
amahubber - thank you so much and welcome to HubPages!
I've been doing some research about 'steampunk' fashion and this is such an inspiration. Great great hub!
Taylorwise - Ha - I have recently become interested in steam punk myself. But steam punk is actually based on Victorian fashions (I am pretty sure) and not Renaissance fashion. Thanks!
I love period dramas of this era.
Wonderfully thorough hub.
Thanks for taking the time to chat about this, I feel strongly about this and I take pleasure in learning about this subject. If possible, as you gain facts, please add to this blog with more information. I have found it very useful.
beauty - thank you!
apologetics - thank you!
Hats - so glad that you enjoyed it. I've written more or expanded on the subject elsewhere. But I don't think that I want to add much more and make it too long. An article like this is merely an introduction.
Amazing what they did in those days - maybe we spend too much time on hi tech theses days
What a fun hub! I have a few books on English royalty that I grabbed off the bargain shelf and I sometimes just flip through and stare at the pictures.
Weber - those clothes were beautiful but I sure would not want to wear them in summer. I can't imagine how long it took to create one of those dresses. Thank you!
cballi - I know what you mean. Elizabethan costume is fascinating. I've spend a lot of time just looking at pictures myself!
What is with the Puffy neck thing woman use to wear back then, it seem like it should have been very hot on their necks
nice historical hub!
Awesome hub! Thank the stars I wasn't born then, or if I was I don't remember it - those clothes look so horribly uncomfortable - but that was the lot for women throughout many places/times in history. Wadda ya gonna do when your clothes are designed by men!!
Thanks for all the great info!
nene - you mean a ruff. They did not worry about being hot as the climate was quite chilly. I think it would have been itchy! Thank you.
Laurel - the clothing worn by the lower classes was more comfortable than the garments worn by the elite. Discomfort wasn't so bad when you really did nothing all day. But it sure was beautiful!
Thanks for the walk through wardrobe history. Enjoyed it!
My favorite of classic styles is definitely Victorian. My bedroom is actually even Victorian and French Provincial.
~ Miss Lil' Atlanta
I have a degree in history and I must say this is very well researched.
Very interesting Hub!
Friends of mine got married a few years ago and their wedding was Lord of The Rings themed and everyone wore Renaissance themed clothing.
The wedding was in an outdoor castle/courtyard type of venue and it was fun to see everyone in the wedding party, as well as all the guests, dressed up in that type of setting.
I absolutely loved your hub! What great information and beautiful art. I have voted you up and will be following you and looking forward to more great stuff from you. The Elizabethan period was definitely the most beautiful time in history (for clothes anyway).
Cool hub.This is the BOMB!
wow..this hub keeps getting on the top..cool! keep it up! Good luck..
Miss Atlanta - whoops! Maybe you commented on the wrong hub. Victorian did not show up until the mid 19th century.
Sandy - thank you very much!
Little Payday - oh boy, that must have been fun. I'd love to go to a wedding like that. But you must be creative just to be a guest! Thanks!
Casey - thank you. Oh it sure was. The fabrics alone were incredible.
dtn - well thank you!
jacob - I am so glad that people enjoy this hub and are reading it. I put in a lot of time on this one and it was a lot of fun researching. Thank you!
Queen Victoria has done a lot for fashion and Britain used to import $3 million of embroidery in her times.
This was such a unique write up! Great job!
rorshak sobchak
This is incredibly interesting. I love pieces on history and I love fashion. So to see the two pieced together so well is really fantastic!
BethanRose - thank you.
Dresses are really great but a little bit heavy ,great hubs never seen theses dresses....
Truly excellent hub! I would hate to have to wear all that nowadays...
htodd- sure, they were heavy but without heat and living in the chilly weather, the heaviness was needed. Thank you!
Garard - oh you bet! I love the simplicity of today's clothing. But the historical styles certainly were beautiful!
i'm a big fan of The Renaissance age... i like ur post so much.. great
useful, beautiful and voted up...
Great Hub, I love fashion but what drew me to your hub was that it was based on Elizabethan times. My son is currently doing a big project on Shakespeare and elizabethan theatre. One of his tasks is to design an elizabethan costume so your hub has been extremely helpful. Voted up and very useful, Thank You :)
Fantastic hub. You surely did you're research. Fashion history as with the history of food, housing etc. for a certain period really brings it to life.
maxim - thank you
zoey - thank you. That sounds like quite an assignment. But a lot of fun too!
Deltachord - thank you!
What a fantastic hub, Dolores! Pack with lots of facts and information. Voted up, useful, awesome, and interesting. Bookmarking this too.
So you deleted my information correcting your information? How sad...
Cilean - yes, it was sad and I felt bad about doing it as I like to approve critical comments, especially if they provide helpful information. But I do delete comments that contain insults that are directed toward me or readers who have left comments.
HubPages generally present magazine style articles and are not usually all inclusive on any subject. Most topics can be delved into further and all information can not be covered in one article. Many of my fashion articles are offered for people with a light interest, say someone who is reading a novel set in a particular period, or something along that line. Of course, an academic would find the information wanting and incomplete.
Thank you for your interest!
you must have researched alot. this info really helped me on my project :)
meme - thank you very much! However, I would not use this for a college or academic project - it does not have the depth or detail that you may need.
One of my sons, while in college, said that certain sites could not be sited for academic work and HubPages was on the no-no list.
Hi. You gave a great discriptioon of the Elizabethan period fashions. Great job. I find the fashions of that time interesting.
Excellent Hub...and this comes from someone who's mother is infatuated with anything from the 1500's. I can't wait to share your Hub with her.
Interesting article. I am glad you included a lot of pictures as reference points - far too many fashion articles have a lack of images to accompany the history and descriptions.
Infiniteresearch - thank you! Glad you enjoyed and I hope that your mother does too.
ancestralstory - I love pictures in any article, they really make a difference! Thank you!
Definitely added this hub to my hub.
Hi Dolores! I loved this hub on Renaissance fashion. I am always fascinated by how fashion reflects the general attitude of its time; and Elizabethan fashion certainly IS a reflection of its time. I have this to say though, I'd imagine that the common woman's attire would have been more flattering to the female body than a noblewoman's. Ruffs and farthingales as well as bodices looked...unnatural. But then the standards of fashion would have been radically different.
Pinko Davo - I imagine the clothing of the common folks would have been more comfortable too. A ruff looks like torture. Fashion often takes to extremes though, doesn't it? Just look at some of the shoes on the models in recent years! Thank you!
I have always loved England's Renaissance History. Thanks for sharing a great Hub full of interesting information. I specifically loved all parts focusing on Queen Elizabeth!
Fenn - glad you enjoyed!
hey Dolores! We are trying to start our own little blogs on hub pages. any tips? check us out! we would love to hear back from you! Love, Brittney and Trent
Fantastic hub. I love the style and fashion of the Elizabethan times and you captured the essence of the regal fashion house so well.
Did Queen Elizabeth have her own personal fashion designer?
Thanks for sharing.
This was one of the first Hubs I read when I joined Hubpages. I wanted to come back and leave a comment, which I didn't do then. I was so impressed with this that I was intimidated. But if you are starting out, this shows just how much can work can go into a well researched and well written article.
editorsupremo - Queen Elizabeth imported ideas and trends from other countries, and brought in dress makers and tailors to assist her. I don't know of any particular names of people who created her styles. Thank you.
Cyndi10 - haha, not used to intimidating and certainly have no interest in that and some readers have found this site wanting. Glad you liked and appreciate your kindness. It did take some time.
brittneyandtrent - well, what happened to it?
I enjoyed this article and look forward to more. Thank you for the well-researched information.
I really enjoyed this!! I got a lot of useful info. from it for my research paper thank you!!
dolores-- I have to admit that when it comes to finding out more facts-- and the books, I go to you. So it's no surprise that when I wanted to begin to work with Renaissance clothes, I came to your hubs. well done.
Hi Rebecca - well thank you. I always use books to research a hub and try to avoid other sites. I do check out other sites so I can try to make my own a bit different. Don't want to be a copycat. But I often forget to list the books that I've used and have returned them to the library.
Nice hub, great information! Exquisite beauty for the time! And although it would be fun to dress up like this just to see how I would feel and look, I couldn’t imagine daily life in all those layers. Wow! Thanks for sharing.
Voted up & tweeted. Great compilation of work
A fabulous hub! I really enjoyed reading it.
I recently read that during this period pearls were highly valued and the most expensive items of jewellery. As a result, many of Elizabeths dresses are encrusted with rows of pearls stitched onto the fabric.
They remained popular until Louise the (?th) of France became king (The Sun King). He had a love of diamonds and they became more fashionable that pearls. That is why today, diamonds are more expensive than pearls.
rontlog - the idea of all those pearls stitched into the fabric - how beautiful! But the concept that diamonds are so expensive (I think) is because the market is controlled and the amount of diamonds is artificially limited. Thanks for dropping by!
katiem2 15 months ago
What an amazing time, the clothes are so beautiful and such a celebration. I very much appreciate the entertaining collection of history and beauty in your work on Renaissance Fashion. I love dressing up in Elizabethan Fashion. I know I know it's the drama queen in me, but it is magical. Well Done and very much appreciated. Thanks! :) Katie