Renaissance Clothing History

During the Renaissance period, the rich and more prosperous members of a town, city, or region often wore elaborate and highly-decorated clothing that was hand crafted from a variety of rich and expensive fabrics and finishes. In fact, the wealthier a family was the more ornate and expensive their Renaissance clothing was. Your attire was was one of the primary methods of indicating stature and wealth during the Renaissance era.

When it comes to the history of Renaissance clothing, there is much to consider in terms of the expensive taste that certain individuals had at that time. Lots of rich fabrics were worn and the designs were cut to show fullness. Here is a look at two main articles of clothing that were worn during that time and how they are still worn today.

The codpiece is one item that has been worn by men during this period. This was worn with breeches during that time before the fly was invented. It was not only functional, but it was also decorative and held together by different fastenings such as buttons and strings. It's influence on men's fashion can still be seen today.

There are a number of musicians who have worn the codpiece in some form or another in the past and to some extent today. It depends on which group one will find performing, like heavy metal or rock. It is usually made of leather and decorated with studs. The jock strap is also another variation of this item.

The corset is another garment that was worn during this period. It was mainly used to support the bust, but it was used to help the body fit into a particular ideal. The bodices that women wore were designed to flatten the torso including the bust-line. Most people tend to think that it was used to create a smaller waistline, but this was not always the reason even though it appeared to be that way.

Today there are many variations of the corset that are worn in wedding dresses and other types of formal wear. Female entertainers wear them as well on certain occasions. Corsets can also be found at costume parties. There are some women who wear the corset so that they can create a smaller waistline.

These are just two of the most important items in the history of Renaissance clothing. It was a period of extravagance and this is mostly seen by the rich who took advantage of the luxurious fabrics that were available to them. Today one can still see the influences of this time period in the fashion world.

About the Author

About the author: David Lawson writes his thoughts and recommendations about Medieval peasant costume and other topics at Shop Compare Costumes. Check out his Halloween costume price comparison site for more on Renaissance Halloween costumes.