In the medieval period,
just as today, you could find clothing of different styles.
However, the largest variety of styles in the medieval
period was generally found with the upper class and the
very wealthy who could afford to make the fashion statements.
In short, ones class determined the variety of clothing
that was worn. Essentially, the more money you had, the
better you could dress.
For the peasant, the garb was basic and simple. The outer
clothing was commonly made of wool with undergarments
of linen. As one would expect, the wool garments were
hot, heavy and itchy, but fortunately, the linen undergarments
made the wool a bit more comfortable. The undergarments
were laundered, but it was rare to wash the outer garments.
While one might think this would serve to create a rather
pungent society, such was not necessarily the case. Though
the peasants worked very hard, frequently at manual labor,
they also spent a great deal of time around open fires
and smoke. The smoke permeated their clothes and acted
as a natural deodorant reducing the odors. In the winter
and colder months, cloaks, mittens and woolen hats were
worn as protection from the elements. Shoes were worn,
but were often a luxury. Leather boots could be found
among the peasants, but it was not uncommon for peasants
to go without shoes. Along with their woolen dresses,
women often wore simple caps.
 Among the peasants, the
wool was generally shorn from the sheep and spun into
the thread for the cloth by the women in the family. Surprisingly
enough, dyes were somewhat common, so even the lower class
peasants frequently wore colorful clothing that they dyed
themselves.
The clergy also had their own style of dress which could
be more ornate depending on the position of the clergy.
A simple friar at a small parish would have simple woolen
robes and perhaps a rope belt and simple shoes while clergy
at larger churches sometimes dressed more ornately. However,
the basic style of clothing, robes with belt, was a constant.
You could identify the order of the clergyman by the color
of robe that was worn.
The nobility and upper class was home to the true fashion
of the day. Though fashion changed with the times, there
were a number of constants. While still made of wool,
wealth meant brighter colors, more flare and a better
grade of material. Men wore tunics or jackets with hose,
leggings and breeches. The women wore flowing gowns and
elaborate headdresses. The wealthy could also be seen
wearing furs or jewelry, though the art of cutting gems
had not developed significantly, so the stones were of
lesser quality. As the period developed, the clothing
became more fitted and was often adorned with silver or
other metals. The wealthiest could afford silk and fine
leather for belts and other accessories. It was also common
for knights to have sleeveless coats adorned with elaborate
coats of arms though their other dress fit their station
in life.
|
