Elizabethan Costume

Paper Summary:

This paper provides an in-depth look at the style of clothing worn during the times of Queen Elizabeth I. The author discusses the costumes worn by royalty, the royal court, aristocrats and nobility, from undergarments to gowns. The paper contains numerous portraits to illustrate the fashions.

From the Paper:

"It is undisputed that the Elizabethans were a very interesting, if not puzzling group. It is apparent that many of the customs, rituals and even colloquial speech that are used today descend directly from their time. One of the most interesting aspects of the Elizabethans is their dress. Clothing played a big role in their society, much like it does in present day. Through someone's dress, a person could tell not only their sex, but their precise social position. An Earl, for example would dress better than a Baron. This was especially important in the theatres of the time. Theaters would seat upwards of 2000 people, so in many of instances the audience would need to see the costume of the actor in order to place him in his proper social position, and therefore where he fit into the narrative of the performance. No person's clothing, however, was more elaborate or telling than that of high standing royalty, such as Queen Elizabeth I and those close to her."

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