YE OLD BLOG
Hamletting you know about the Elizabethan Era
DAILY FASHION
Nahaal Boluriaan
Similar to the modern day, fashion was a significant aspect of the people’s daily lives in the Elizabethan Era of the 16th century. Style was used as a form of self-expression and it influenced the gradual development of the Elizabethan culture. In general, women dressed conservatively and multiple layers of clothing were involved in everyday attire. They wore underwear, corsets, gowns, hats and shoes to complete their look. Men wore doublets (fitted coats), breeches (trousers), underwear, hats and shoes.
However, in this time period, people were not allowed to wear whatever they wanted. As a stylish woman herself, Queen Elizabeth I enforced the “Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws” to control what the people wore. The purpose was to maintain the social structure by restricting each social class with a limited variation of colors and fabrics. The material of one’s clothes exposed his status and wealth.
Versus
Upper class woman's clothing
The nobility and upper classes wore luxurious clothes made of satin, silk, furs, lace, cotton, and velvet. The elaborate fabrics were dyed with bright colors which was more expensive because it came from abroad and it was all hand done. For example, the scarlet red color that Queen Elizabeth often wore was from an insect only found in the Mediterranean Sea. Also, nobles wore multiple layers of varying materials to show their wealth, which became heavy and restricted their body movement.
Lower class woman's clothing
On the other hand, the people of lower classes wore clothes made of wool, linen, and sheepskin. They could not afford anything else, so their options were limited to practical and dull clothing. Children also dressed like their parents because they were considered young adults from a young age. These Sumptuary Laws were very strict, and they had severe penalties for anyone who disobeyed them. Specifically, jobs and property was taken away, fines were issued, and they were put in jail or killed.
Children's Clothing
Similar to adult's clothing
Although this was a serious matter, some people disobeyed these laws and started to cross-dress. Dressing like men gave women the opportunity to be equal to men, which was not favored in the Elizabethan society. It was beneficial for the women because it prevented rape, enabled them to travel alone, and provided a better job than the women were assigned. Feminism was neglected, as it is clearly shown through the lack of female roles in plays during this time period in which theatre was very important.
Overall, fashion was very significant for the Elizabethans and the Queen had a substantial influence on the subject. The people wore clothes that clearly represented their social rank, and this reveals that status was very important in this era. The lower class was treated much differently than the wealthy nobles. To visually differentiate the social groups, one would focus on the fabric and style of clothing.