Clothes Worn by Women

1. Clothes Worn by Women Clothes Worn by Men “Slashing” During the Elizabethan era, outfits worn by women were often designed to imitate fashions worn by men. Underclothes The under layers of clothing worn by women consisted of various pieces such as a kind of smock made of linen was worn called a Chemise, stockings, and corsets. Women wore a sort of hooped skirt called a farthingale over which a kirtle is often worn. Petticoats and stomachers, the “centerpiece” of the gown, were also types of underclothes. Over Clothes As over clothes, women wore gowns with separate detached sleeves. Women wore “Ruffles” around their necks very much like those worn by men, except women's ruffles were often opened in the front to show off their necks for this was considered more feminine. Hats or some kind of head covering were considered an essential part of women's wardrobes. Women also dressed in cloaks and shoes. Slashing was a trend during the Elizabethan Era, when members of the uppercases began to make cuts in their outer clothing in order to reveal the contrasting colors of the garments beneath. The fabric from beneath was then pulled through the slash and fluffed up. Pinking was a similar technical in which specific shapes, often diamonds, were cut in the outer garments. During the Elizabethan era, there were many restrictions as to what men and women could wear. The clothing people could wear depended very much on their social classes. A family could be wealthier than a Duke, however if they were not a member of the Noble family they were not permitted to dress in the same colors of fabrics. Unlike clothing today, outfits were not made of only one or two layers, clothing was quite complex and was made up of a number of different pieces and layers. Men's Underclothes As underclothes, men in the Elizabethan Era worn a shirt, stockings, and a corset. Men’s Over clothes Men wore things such as Doublets (a fitted buttoned Jacket) with separate sleeves and breeches as over clothes. One of the most famous articles of clothing from the Elizabethan era were the Ruffles, frilly collars worn by many. Men also wore belts, cloaks, shoes and hats. Clothing Worn by Children During the Elizabethan Era it was considered unhealthy for infants to use their limbs freely, So for the first 6-12 months of their lives infants were rapped in bands called swaddling. Older children dressed in clothing that was similar to those worn by their parents. When children finished swaddling, both boys and girls were dressed in gowns and petticoats. At some point between the ages of 3 and 7 boys were given their first pair of breaches by their parents. This transition from being an “unbreached” boy to being “breeched” was celebrated with a party because it was seen as a transition from childhood to young adult hood.

2. Elizabethan Hairstyles Women’s Hairstyles The hair styles commonly worn by women were designed to compliment the fashions of the upper class. Special Ruffles were made to raise the back of ones head, frame ones face and often hairstyles were planned around these Ruffles. Frizzy hair styles were popular among women and their hair was often kept long and natural and always combed hair away from the forehead. Young women kept their hair long as a sign of virginity until their weddings, after which they would adopted tied up hair style. Hats were a necessary part of Elizabethan fashion so much of a women's hair was often covered by some kind of veil, hat or decorative hair piece. Men’s Hairstyles Mans hair styles varied during this time period. Some men kept hair short and cropped close to the face, while others wore their hair long. Long hair was always required to be curled. The hair was curled with irons and then held in place with waxes or gum. Men commonly wore beards as well. The styles of these beards varied; some were pointed, some rounded, others were kept square. All these beards were kept long and starch was used to hold beards in the correct position. Elizabethan Accessories Accessories that were popular in the Elizabethan Era were more or less the same kinds of accessories that are popular today. lizabethan Jewelry was quite popular during the Elizabethan Era. Items such as broaches, bracelets, earring and watches made of jewels, metals and ivory were worn. However these items were only available to the upper class or Nobility. Fashion Cheaper alternatives like buttons, shoe buckles and rosary beads were made available to the lower class. Apart from jewelry, both men and women accessorized with gloves, scarves, belts, and hats. Velvet masks with only two holes for eyes and veils were very popular among Elizabethan women. Women also frequently carried purses. By: Evelyn, Emilia and Mackenzie