Renaissance Costumes Use in Traditional Society

Renaissance was called the period when set notions of traditional society in Europe were broken and new ways of thinking a new world was imagined, argued and propounded. This period evokes sentiment and inspiration for the people of today, who want to bring in a change in the traditional ways of thought, behavior and actions. This is also reflected in the degree of freedom the Renaissance society had in the way it dressed, the range of colours and styles and patterns of clothing. Renaissance period in mediaeval Europe had many diverse kinds of clothing for men and women. A mediaeval ensemble included cloaks, robes, capes, tunics, shirts and trousers. Renaissance dresses could be made of rich fabric such as velvet, silk, satin and lined with fur and brocade for the aristocratic men. On the other hand, common men’s mediaeval clothing could be made of cotton, linen, flannel and sheepskin.

In comparison, modern industrialised societies have much less choices open to them in forms of dress, colours and styles. As traditional societies industrialise, the diversity in clothes gradually disappears from such industrialised societies. However, as opposed to the Renaissance society, dressing styles are not class-bound in our own society. Hence, some people in our times are attempting to combine the freedom of choice in the diversity of dresses from the Renaissance period with the freedom from class in our own times. Of course, it means that only those can wear a certain dress who can afford it. Hence, a complete freedom from class is not possible in this experiment.

Still, in our own times, these Renaissance style dresses inspired by the mediaeval era have become fashionable amongst the men of class and taste. Unlike contemporary clothing for men, these dresses come in a wide range of colours, including some bright colours such as red and maroon and have frills, gather and brocade embroidery. White, black and grey are other colours in vogue in these dresses. Contemporary synthetic fabrics such as rayon are also used along with the traditional fabrics for these dresses.

Women’s dress inspired by the Renaissance Europe uses long gown as the most popular basic design, but with much less gathers than in the original mediaeval ladies’ gown. Renaissance-inspired costume thus makes the dress bold, unique and attention-catching in contemporary world.

Thus, while styles and patterns are taken from the Renaissance period, the usage of renaissance costumes and medieval clothing are completely modern in idea, practice and value system.

Wear Unique Designable Renaissance Costumes

Renaissance costumes from medieval European times are becoming popular for both men and women of young age. Some designer companies focus exclusively on Renaissance costumes, pirates’ shirts and swords knives, scabbards and other weapons from mediaeval European times. Renaissance clothing has become a fashion now. The flowing lines of women’s Renaissance-style clothing make them look graceful, while loose pirate shirts with gathers for men give them an aura of authority and nobility. To complement the Renaissance clothing outfit, medieval weapons and especially mediaeval swords are designed with carved metal handles to make the entire ensemble look arresting.

These clothes provide for bright coloured as well as pastel shades for women. Burgundy red is a very popular colour for women. Men’s pirate shirts may come in maroon, brown, white, black or grey. These shirts have loose ends hanging out of the belts. Cloaks, capes and robes with embroidery, fur and brocade complete the ensemble for men as well as women. Mediaeval sword handle may be gilded and embossed with many colours, with carving and gem set into the handle.

These swords may be big or small and single-edged or double-edged. Some swords also have a small compass set into the handle of the sword. This is to give a look of the navigator to the onlooker. There are different kinds of swords available. These include the pirate swords, Samurai swords, military swords and even wooden swords modelled on mediaeval lines. Some swords are named after famous kings and warriors from ancient period. These include King Arthur sword, Viking swords and Celtic swords.

Along with the swords also come shields, which have intricate design and embossments done on them. These may be made of leather or metal. Eventhough weapons are not needed in public today, mediaeval swords and other mediaeval weapons along with Renaissance clothing give a look of regalia to the wearer.

Medieval Costumes Fashion in Modern Style

Renaissance costumes has become a fashion statement in this modern world. Dresses for men and women are being inspired by the Renaissance dresses from Europe. Mediaeval costumes provide an elegant and graceful look to the wearer. Portraits of aristocratic men and ladies from Europe have provided the inspiration for the design of these costumes meant for modern men and women.

Renaissance dresses for women include long gowns covering the feet, but without the flow of gathers. These modern Renaissance-style gowns are figure-hugging. Cotton, linen and laces are used to enhance the visual appeal. Cuts and shapes follow the trends popular in the mediaeval costumes as we see in the paintings of those eras.

An important dress for women is inspired by the mediaeval chemise. Chemise was a long and lose cotton or linen tunic worn in mediaeval times by the ladies under all their dresses. Its chief function was to provide an elegant fall to the outer garment and to absorb perspiration. Modern dress inspired by the chemise can be worn as the main dress in a stylish mediaeval fashion. It comes in white, black, patterned fabric or even in bright colours such as burgundy red. Sleeves are long and may be detached in some costumes.

Cloaks, robes and capes are other pieces of dresses inspired by the mediaeval costumes. They provide a regal look to the wearer and may be made from cotton, silk, satin, velvet and synthetic fabric.

Pirate clothing is very popular for men interested in these costumes. Men’s clothing has a full ensemble in the form of pirate shirts, capes, cloaks, coats, tunics and vests. Dresses for men in the form of coats and tunics may be in bold colours such as maroon, blue or black and may be embroidered with brocade. Caps may have gems, brocade and feathers adorning them. Swords and daggers complete the clothing accessories for men’s costumes.

Renaissance Clothing – In Control of Church and Rulers

It was textile industry of Florence in Italy and banking sector who bought revolution in renaissance clothing. These medieval costumes were so popularized that they spread like a wildfire and became a milestone of renaissance period and inspiration for many modern age fashion designers. medieval clothing could be distinguished by short upper garment for men and tend of making close fitting clothes which was opposite to style prevailing during Tudor Era. We can see the numerous images found in historical books, archeological sources and tapestries as evidence in support of fitted clothing.
There was one great way of distinguishing ‘haves’ from ‘have nots ‘- renaissance dresses. Wealth of people and their social ranking was differentiated on basis of garments. Medieval clothing was means of public display – as much of extravagant and expensive outfit you could carry; the higher would be your status. It means even if someone living a miserable life but wearing right attire in an elegant way then the person was socially accepted.
After noticing the growing influence of renaissance dresses church came into play. They criticize latest fashion trend of the era and those who worn it. People who heavily focused on fashion was seen as sinner by church and labeled them as conceited people. Anyone who was wearing renaissance outfits was termed as conceited people because such clothing separate them from others who were perfect civilians, following each and every rules of land in which clothing also included. Preachers and other guardians of society took these acts as a threat to Christianity, a danger for their religion and original way of their living. During the period of 14th century and 15th century laws were created to restrict the flourishing trends of Renaissance costume.
These were created in order to re-establish their position as ruling class. To get control over general public such laws were forcefully implemented. In new laws each and every aspect of clothing was included whether it was cuts, colors or material of fabrics. But the fact was these laws were tools of luxury legislation and made under the influence of church. One such law was passed in England according to which employees of urban craftsmen, grooms and servants could spend small amount of their income on clothing.
Colors were given certain meanings in renaissance dresses so that people could wear them accordingly. For instance green was for love, gray for sorrow, red for nobility, blue for fidelity, yellow for hostility and black and gray for people of lower status. But blue was also a color of adulterous wives in Low Countries. It was an irony that royalties and aristocrats who considered black and gray colors as symbol of sorrow, with the starting of 15th century they started to wear these two colors to show rich embellishing elements on their attires like beautiful embroideries, costly jewelries and other embedded metals and ornate.
Although renaissance costume and renaissance dresses has classicism and left glorious history for us but its rich and colorful part was accessible to fewer people only, others were forced to wear what might be they don’t want to wear.

Manners Maketh the Man, Accessories Maketh the Medieval Man

Imagine a knight without his shining armour and sword. It is like today’s business executive without his smartphone and laptop Inseparable. So when you think of having a fun time where renaissance costumes or medieval costumes are indicated, do not scrimp on accessories and that goes for everything from hats to boots with everything in between.

Manners maketh the man all right, the renaissance age was a fine example of elegance and refinement. Renaissance dress may be more elegant and refined, gorgeous and impressive but medieval clothing and style have impact, especially when you consider a knight’s outfit from head to toe, in figurative as well as literal terms!. Chain mail is not light. A renaissance rapier is fine and dandy, matching elegant manners but a chunky medieval sword generates respect and open mouthed awe. It is one accessory that maketh the medieval man. No marks for guessing why Arnold Schwarzenegger was cast as Conan the Barbarian.

If you are the type that prefers medieval costumes like tunics, capes, chain mail gauntlets, shields, helms, baldrics, vambraces, chain mail armour, medieval sword, visor, medieval helmet and other articles of a knight’s outfit complete with medieval weapons to make an impressive entrance at any party, then go the whole hog and choose all these, perfectly matched from specialist medieval costumes stores online. They are the perfect source for a variety of medieval clothing. Similarly, if you wish to appear as a medieval pirate, forget about sunglasses to give you style. Leave them at home. Dress up like a medieval pirate in pirate clothes and a dashing pirate shirt with matching sash, belt, boots, eye patch and a hat with a feather, gloves and you project a devil may care look. Don’t mess with me. Well, a skull and crossbones or a parrot may be overdoing things a little bit in the accessories department. Besides, not all pirates had wooden legs.

If a pirate or a knight (dark, light or café-au-lait) and his armoury of medieval weapons does not appeal to you then you can always fall back to being Robin Hood and dress up in the typical medieval costume of medieval England, spiced up by the freestyle life of the men in Sherwood forest. Here again you can choose the right accessories to lend an air of authenticity. Robin Hood pants, shirts and hoods are great, but consider the tunic, capes and typical outlaw hats and boots to match and possibly a medieval sword, bow and a quiver of arrows on your back. Who knows mayhap you might just come across a Maid Marion for you at the party.

These and various medieval costumes as well as matching accessories are available in matched sets with options on the accessories to help you refine your look according to your plan for the party or event. One can of course design and compile an ensemble of pirate clothes or a knight’s outfit complete with medieval helmet, medieval sword and other medieval weapons like an axe for unique looks and greater impact. Medieval costumes give you great freedom to experiment and develop your character.

Source all these items from the right online store with a vast collection of renaissance costumes, pirate clothes and accessories for medieval swords to make you the awe-inspiring complete medieval man at a party.

Spectrum of Styles with Renaissance and Medieval Clothing

The Medieval Period lasted from 5th to the 14th century, giving way to the Renaissance. A defined class stucture and rigid laws applied to all walks of life including medieval clothing. Inappropriate clothing resulted in the wearer liable to pay fines. The common class made do with materials at hand while nobility had access to the finest fabrics from around the world. Peasants wore practical medieval clothing like a tight tunic with a rope or leather belt. Higher up the ladder nobility were free to wear clothes according to their rank like fancy robes, surcoats, belts with jewels, hose, robes with puff sleeves and fur trim. Women wore richly adorned, tight dresses usually consisting of a tight form fitting, tightly laced bodice matched with a high collar or low neck dress with a long train finished with a mantle or surcoat. Knights were the military with their unique suit of armor covering an outfit of linen shirt and trousers, woolen stockings and a padded coat. Royalty wore bright, vividly coloured, long sleeved tunics with a surcoat. Ends of the tunic or robe were finished with fur trim and hose and shoes completed the attire. Fancy velvet hats with jewel embellishments were the preferred form of headdress for royalty. Medieval costumes were elaborate and categorized according to classes following strict sumptuary laws.

The Renaissance era was more progressive, paving the way for more flamboyant and stylish renaissance clothing that built on styles of the previous era. While the peasant’s clothing was purely functional, made from available material, the nobility went overboard in the use of fine fabrics like muslin, silk and velvet. Typical Renaissance costumes comprised of long sleeved loose fitting shirts with a short leather or velvet jacket or sleeveless jerkins, sometimes topped off with a flowing, elaborate robe. Bottom renaissance costumes were made up of fitted breeches and cod pieces, stockings and heeled shoes. Renaissance costumes worn by noble women were layered. Over a shift women wore underskirts with a whalebone corset topped by a cone shaped hoop skirt with an embroidered petticoat sitting above it. A ruffled shirt added another layer at the top with a gown overlaying all these. Brightly coloured, embellished and embroidered, the gowns formed the focal point. Leather shoes and embroidered stockings completed the ensemble. Royalty wore similar but more expensive and more elaborately embellished renaissance costumes.

The peasants or gentry did not have much choice; nobility followed set patterns and pirates alone seemed to have the greatest latitude in wearing clothes they could lay their hands on. Today, pirate shirts have an exclusive style and charm of their own with loose flowing sleeves gathered at the wrist and collars to match. Accessories like a tricorn hat, wide sash and belt and a knife stuck in the belt give a rakish air.

Dressing up for a party or a themed event? Choose from a range of pirate clothing, renaissance costumes or medieval costumes. Period clothing has a spectrum of flamboyant styles to show you off at your best. All these are available at stores and online shops where you can pick, match and assemble your gear to perfection at the best prices.

Interesting Facts about Medieval Renaissance Costumes and Weapons

Renaissance costumes are now are the part of fun and play. Once considered as the costumes of masses and elite now find their place in themed events and parties. Renaissance fairs and events like pirate themed parties are the occasions where people have opportunity to wear these stinking clothes. Want to attend such events, you must have renaissance clothing and associated accessories.

Low quality fabric and poor construction of renaissance costume can spoil the fun of event. Therefore it is advised to seek for only authentic looking medieval clothes online or offline. For searching, type the keywords like medieval clothes, medieval clothing, medieval costumes, renaissance clothing etc on Google or Yahoo or any other web browsers. While shopping, thoroughly read the description, view the picture carefully and go through the customer’s reviews on product and service of seller in order to elude hiccups in future. However remember if you get a quality product from a seller than in future consider placing order with the same firm because firstly you are on satisfied customer of the firm. Second, firm will also leave no stone upturn for providing the quality service for its pleased customer.

By now we are finished on topic - how to shop for medieval renaissance outfits but what about weapons, they are equally important as other dresses, infact during medieval times weapons of medieval knights and warriors were the sign of dignity and supremacy. Therefore let us cast some light on medieval weapons.

* Swords – Most of the people don’t know the difference between swords and daggers, they find these two things in the same level however swords are more harmful than dagger or knives and bigger in size as well. A dagger or knives will leave only bruises on human body while a sword can cut them into pieces. We can see the extensive varieties in medieval swords for instance some had double blades on edge, some were curved, and some were straight. Scimitar, long-swords and spatha were popular swords of those times.

* Warships- During medieval era it was more of sea fighting than on land so warships were vital part of their weapons such as long-ship, junk and gallery.

* Ranged Weapons- Ranged weapons were used to arrack on enemy from distance. These weapons cause maximum damage to enemy without a sign of any minor injury on attacker. Battle axes, maces, Pole arms and spearheads, staffs and canes and war hammers were the part of this category of weapons.

* Blunt weapons – The name itself suggest that the main reason of developing such weapons were to give enemy severe injury. The sole purpose of using of blunt weapons over enemies were to torture, not killing them and make their life worst than hell. Horseman’s pick, the morning star, de Corbin and mace were famous blunt weapons of medieval era.

What we know till now is each medieval weapon has some specific purpose that is why when you dress like a character from middle age, take the weapon accordingly. Do not forget eye patch and rope for extra effect if you are playing a pirate.

What we know till now is each medieval weapon has some specific purpose that is why when you dress like a character from middle age, take the weapon accordingly. Do not forget eye patch and rope for extra effect if you are playing a pirate. For more information about renaissance costumes, medieval clothing and renaissance clothes you can visit our site tudordressing.com.