Handsome Renaissance Costume Gowns, Doublets and More . . .

Avon Jupon Renaissance Collection Adult

The Renaissance historical period is indeed a fascinating era as is the Renaissance Costume Gowns and period dress that accompanied it.

If you are looking for a beautiful Renaissance Dress or striking attire for your event, you will readily find an attractive selection of garments to meet your needs and your budget.

The historical period in time known as the Renaissance was a cultural movement that began in the 14^th century and extended into the 17^th century. Its roots were in Florence Italy and its influence reached and spread to encompass the rest of Europe. The term Renaissance itself means rebirth in French or be born in Italian.

Noble Cloak with Pin Renaissance Collection

For the most part the Renaissance movement was a privilege of the elite or wealthy upper class. During the Renaissance you had three societal classes. The three classes were nobility, the merchant class or middle class, and you would have had peasants.

Renaissance Costume Gowns and or attire was directly related to and varied with a person’s status in society as well as the country they resided in and their occupation.

Jewel Black Spanish Brial Renaissance Costume Gown

The noble class wore attire that consisted of expensive brocades, velvet, satin, and corduroy. A lady of wealth would wear Spanish surcoats, consisting of the coat, the underskirt, the bodice and chemise.

Also popular was the Italian style dress that had an empire waist and a headpiece with a veil. It was more comfortable than the dress with a bodice. In England they would have worn the bodice and hoop skirt.

Nobility also set themselves apart by the color of their garments as certain color dyes such as black and red were expensive and difficult to obtain. The color purple was reserved for the queen. In short, nobles distinguished themselves by their choice of fabric, jewelry and possessions.

Italian Doublet

Scots Doublet

Men wore shorter doublets and close fitting leg coverings or hose. Head dresses for women were detailed with ribbons, jewels and veils. Also commonplace was the usage of perfume and lace.

German Gown with Green Insert Renaissance Collection Adult

It was during the first half of the 1500’s that Germanic dress greatly impacted renaissance fashion.

Broad toed shoes, wide voluptuous gowns and skirts, short breeches, pleated aprons and a decoration known as slashing became prominent.

It was called slashing because there were two contrasting layers of material, one over the other, and the outer layer of cloth would be slashed to show the one underneath it.

This form of embellishment became popular on gowns worn by men and women. You would also see slashing on shoes and cap.