Elaborate clothing was worn during the European Renaissance.
Renaissance fashion became distinct around the 1490s, according to Central Washington University. Designers from Italy, England, Germany, France and other European countries began creating clothes that exaggerated or distorted the natural shape of the body. Sleeves, shirts, skirts and pants puffed out in places, drew in tight in others and were lavishly decorated with ruffles and other detail. This fashion was elaborate and symbolized the wearer's status in society.
Women's Clothes
Traditional women's clothing during the European Renaissance included three pieces: an underskirt, a bodice and a robe. Eventually, it became popular to add two to three more pieces to the completed product, including the overbodice (vest), hoop and collar. The sleeves of women's tops were large and flowing, coming out in a puff style around the elbows. Skirts were long, wide and flowing and bodices held in the top of the body tightly as a corset would.
Men's Clothing
Men wore upper and nether hose on their legs, tights that spanned from the thighs to the feet in two different pieces and were secured by garters. The upper body had a square barrel look, consisting of heavily padded vests called jerkins. Men might wear elaborate robes in place of jerkins called simars. Men with status often elaborated their outfits with embroidery at the ankles of their hosiery, or large chain necklaces that signaled which organizations he worked for or belonged to.
Accessories
Shoes for both men and women were often wide-toed, square-shaped and had with heelless backs. Women would cover their heads with pointed cone caps. It was once customary for a woman to cover all of her hair, then the caps evolved into lighter veils that revealed most of a woman's hair. Men wore low-crowned hats that eventually became acceptable for women to wear in the same fashion.
Significance
The color, thread count, embroidery, accessories and detail of a person's outfit were a clear indication of her status in society. During the European Renaissance, only the wealthy could afford designer clothing which was often customized to represent something about that person, his family or his position in the community. It was common for the wealthy to spend a majority of their income on clothing alone to prove a point in public.
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