Influence on Social Stature of Medieval People
The renaissance costumes of medieval people were mainly custom made. The fabrics were heavily enriched by jewelries and other valuable accessories. The detailed designing of medieval costumes were to draw a line between people of lower and upper stature. Royals wore expensive jewelries and accessories on the other hand lower strata members had to satisfy themselves with simple designs. Today also we envy the dresses of medieval royalties but underlying the medieval renaissance costumes of royals there was heavy layers of clothing something which they had to bear.
Women’s Medieval Clothing was not only about covering their body it was much more than that it was also about their social and marital status. To be a proper dressed lady was a very tuff task. Hair of married women were tied and up but the unmarried ladies and girls were allowed to their leave hair loose. Clothing of medieval women includes skirt, bodice, kirtle, gown, corset and other valuable accessories. If a women belonged to an upper family then she had to cope with atleast there layers of gowns alongwith towering headdress and to hold the fittings she had to bear the pain of metals.
Medieval women were mentally prepared to deal with the heavy weight costumes because they had to wear it daily. If you happened to be a person who belongs to a wealthy family then people will definitely expect you to show some class and magnificent stylized dresses. The burdens of such renaissance clothes were meant to highlight the beauty and grace.
Clothing of men also works on the same ground as that of women. Their clothing also predicts the stature in society. Men’s medieval costumes were more focused on their character and were given importance in highlighting the muscularity and stature. Each and every detail on clothing was a sign of status like a long fit sleeves could tell about the class you belong. Men’s medieval clothing comprised of renaissance shirts, doublets, tunic, vests, breaches, coats, cloaks and capes.
Renaissance clothes without accessories were considered incomplete and regarded as disgraceful. The accessories were part of stature and are completely inseparable. Some of them were worn by wish and wearing of some was made mandatory by law for instance irrespective of the social class you belong, it was necessary to wear headdress but depending upon the status lower people or commoner wore caps and upper class people wore slightly raised hats.
Despite some cruel facts related to renaissance clothing they are still admired for beauty and elegancy. Medieval outfits are still influencing the modern designers. We can see touch of renaissance cloths in various section of modern dresses. During middle age wearer satisfaction were depended on how onlooker perceived the clothing and same mantra of putting style above comfort still works.
To know more about medieval clothing we recommend you to visit renaissance clothing