The Medieval duration or the Middle ages is the duration of the European history from 5th to 15th century. A estimate of powerful events happened and led to great and many contributions to our modern history. It was an era of arts, music, religion, and politics. It was a tough duration for an median man at that time. They had to fight and be strong to survive. Population had to resort to wearing any medieval costume to safe them from the heat and the cold. So dark and grim was the time of the Middle Ages that it was also known as the Dark Ages.

In spite of this, the medieval costume always had a extra meaning. It played a critical role in the symbol of group status in the society. The less fortunate wore very easy and cheap fabrics while the wealthy showed off more elegant clothing. The medieval costume for Kings and Queens were very costly and boasted of magnificent silks and luxurious attire.

Garment Costume

However, towards the end of the 16th century, the fashion style took a dramatic transformation. This duration was known as the Elizabethan period. This was because so much of the duration was a result of Queen Elizabeth's influence and power. The Queen's passion for art, music, and fashion brought the emergence of poets, artists, and writers. It attracted the most talented individuals of the era. Studying was greatly encouraged that Oxford and Cambridge Universities were reorganized and were chartered as centers for learning.

Part of the renaissance costume was the hairstyles which were generally short for men and frizzy swept up look in a headdress called 'snood' outside the hair with a wire forming a heart-shaped style for women. Queen Elizabeth was the Queen of international fashion. She was exceedingly interested in the fashions of other lands as well. She would import tailors from abroad, and she had patterns sent to other countries and had sets of renaissance costume made to her size.

Women tried hard to imitate her curly hair using distinct dye recipes. False hair or wigs were also used to imitate her hair because it was easier to manage. For Queen Elizabeth, it was important for her to verbalize her image of the "Virgin Queen". Pure attractiveness was of light hair and snow white complexion, with an admirable red lips and cheeks.

Queen Elizabeth's contribution to the renaissance costume extended to the male garments as well. Gentleman were seen in their most fashionable and flashy outfits. They used rich fabrics, bands of contrasting colors and elucidate exaggeration motifs to display the wealth and magnificence of their renaissance costume. They would sometimes wear girdles, the equivalent of the female corset, to procure a de facto thin look to their bodies. Doublets were worn to give emphasis on the shoulder and the hip area.

Queen Elizabeth's wardrobe of renaissance costumes was designed to impress. The renaissance dresses were even used for very modest affairs. Clothing was heavily ornamented with rich fabric using gold and silver embroidery. It was hand embroidered with colored thread, and decorated with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and all kinds of jewels.

Fortunately, for Queen Elizabeth, she did not have to retain all the expenses on her own. Population began to bring clothing to the Queen as a gift to gain favor from her. She received lavish renaissance costume every year. As a matter of fact, Elizabeth's first pair of knitted silk stockings came to her as a gift on New Year's Day.

Renaissance Costume and Queen Elizabeth I's affect on the Renaissance Costume