Fashion: The Role Of Clothing In The Elizabethan Era

579 Words2 Pages

Fashion now is incomparable to the Elizabethan Era. It was ruled by Queen Elizabeth I, she became queen in the year 1558. Clothing wasn't just merely a trivial thing in the days of Elizabethan times. It was taken very seriously by the people for the reason that it controlled social order. In Addition, it provided information about the person wearing them. Such as, their wealth and social status. The rulers even created laws specifically concerning clothing. These laws stated the colors as well as the type of clothing an individual was allowed to own and wear in public. First of all, depending on your social status during the Elizabethan Era your option of clothing is limited. The working class and peasant were restricted in their clothing the most. Peasant women weren't allowed to enjoy fine materials, but had to make do with cheaper ones like wool, linen The outfits worn by both men and women in that era were not made of one single garment. In fact, various pieces together formed the entire outfit. In addition, the Elizabethan era saw a proper division of class. Queen Elizabeth supported the Sumptuary Law that dictated the color and kind of clothing a person was allowed to wear. These laws were also known as the Statutes of Apparel. It was basically done to clearly demarcate the social structure existing in the Elizabethan era. Anyone violating these laws faced penalties, which were fines, loss of property, and sometimes even capital punishment. In conclusion, The Elizabethan age brought about a great development of culture in sixteenth century England.One way this great development of culture came about is through fashion. Fashion in the Elizabethan age was a way of expressing one's self: the fashion truly helped to reveal the general culture of the period. With its limited colors for the underclass they developed designs for their clothing that in a way made it stand out in a unique

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