How to Dress in Renaissance Fashion

How to Dress in Renaissance Fashion

How to Dress in Renaissance Fashion Figuring out how to dress in Renaissance fashion can seem pretty confusing at first. When I first started to look around for costumes to wear to the Renaissance Faire, I didn’t know what to pick because there were so many different looks and styles that I’ve seen and I was never exactly sure if what I was looking at was considered Renaissance or not. It turns out that there was a reason for that. People of different societal classes were only allowed to wear certain types of clothing. So I did a little more digging to make it just a tiny bit easier for the rest of you to choose an outfit for your next Renaissance Faire. Upper Class During the Renaissance period, there were Sumptuary Laws, meaning that there were rules that dictated what types of clothing, fabrics, and even colors that certain classes could wear. The middle and lower classes were banned from wearing certain fabrics that were rarer like silk, lace, fur, velvet, and such. Also, the upper class or nobility were able to wear richer colors because dyes were very expensive. You would see bright reds and rich deep purples on nobility. Ruffs or high collars, like the one you see on the Queen Elizabeth costume, conveyed a high status. Upper class men and women also wore layers and layers of clothing because they could afford it and it showed off their wealth. Upper Class Women
Queen Elizabeth Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Queen Elizabeth Adult Costume Baroness Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Baroness Adult Costume
Upper Class Men
Deluxe Henry VIII Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Deluxe Henry VIII Adult Costume Henry VIII Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Henry VIII Adult Costume
Middle Class The middle class of the Renaissance Era were quite wealthy, sometimes even wealthier than the nobility. However, because of the aforementioned Sumptuary Laws, they wouldn’t dress quite as luxurious as the upper class. The middle class did wear nicer fabrics, better cuts, and richer colors than the lower class. They could wear certain silk, satin, brocade, and damask fabrics. Middle Class Women Middle class women also wore layers but were unable to wear quite as many layers as the upper class. Their dresses would have nice trimmings and embroidering.
King's Mistress Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion King's Mistress Adult Costume Guinevere Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Guinevere Adult Costume Medieval Maiden Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Medieval Maiden Adult Costume
Middle Class Men Middle class men wore doublets with sleeves. The clothes of the middle class were much more fancy than those of the lower class. Their doublets could have embroidery, padding, or boning. Their clothes also had a tailored fit because the middle class were able to afford it.
King's Coat Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion King's Coat Adult Costume Leonardo Da Vinci Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Leonardo Da Vinci Adult Costume Nostradamus Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Nostradamus Adult Costume
Lower Class Lower Class Women Working women would wear simple dresses. They also wore aprons. Every woman always had at least one apron that would be used while working and another would be worn when they were more dressed up.
Tavern Maid Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Tavern Maid Adult Costume Tavern Wench Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Tavern Wench Adult Costume Tavern Maiden Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Tavern Maiden Adult Costume
Lower Class Men Even lower class men would at least wear a shirt and a doublet in public. However, their clothes were not as decorative as those of the middle class. Sometimes if a man was out working, he would wear only a shirt.
Captain John Smith Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Captain John Smith Adult Costume Renaissance Peasant Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Renaissance Peasant Adult Costume Medieval Man Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Medieval Man Adult Costume
Accessories Accessories are always the best way to really make your costume believable. So make sure you give your look that extra something with a few fun additions. Head Coverings During the Renaissance Era, women were always expected to have their heads covered when they were out in public so make sure you are not seen as inappropriate by being caught without a hat of some sort. Often times, men wore hats as well.
Felt Bonnet Renaissance Fashion Felt Bonnet Bonnet Renaissance Fashion Bonnet Mob Cap Renaissance Fashion Mob Cap Henry VIII Hat Renaissance Fashion Henry VIII Hat Tricorn Hat Renaissance Fashion Tricorn Hat Pilgrim Hat Renaissance Fashion Pilgrim Hat
Cloaks As mentioned previously, the upper class could afford to wear layers of clothing. So throw on the layers and add some depth and personality to your costume.
Medieval Maiden Adult Cloak Renaissance Fashion Medieval Maiden Adult Cloak Medieval Warrior Adult Cloak Renaissance Fashion Medieval Warrior Adult Cloak Women's Faux Fur Trimmed Cape Renaissance Fashion Women's Faux Fur Trimmed Cape Winter Lord Cloak Adult Costume Renaissance Fashion Winter Lord Cloak Adult Costume
Other Accessories
Medieval Belt Renaissance Fashion Medieval Belt Drinking Horn Renaissance Fashion Drinking Horn Buccaneer Boot Cuffs Renaissance Fashion Buccaneer Boot Cuffs Royal Goblet Renaissance Fashion Royal Goblet
I hope I've made your Renaissance costume shopping just a little bit easier. If you're going to the Renaissance Faire this year, let us know how you liked it in the comments below!
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