Clothes of the Middle Ages (photo). Gothic clothes of the Middle Ages

The history of fashion is not only a change in clothing that can be observed over time. It is also the history of the society in which this or that style existed. Different times awakened in people the need to wear a variety of costumes. Medieval clothing is one of the most vivid examples of how relationships in society affect fashion.

Common features

The costume is one of the most important symbols of social status throughout the Middle Ages. He defined the person's belonging to a certain class and class.

Fashion clothes of the early Middle Ages are not particularly diverse. The fashion industry has not yet been developed as, for example, in the Renaissance. The cut of dresses for peasants and gentlemen was the same, the difference was observed only in materials. At this time, the demarcation of society was not particularly noticeable in appearance. Clothes were the best way to express themselves, to give in the best possible way, that's why all people did not spare spending on jewelry, decorated belts and expensive fabrics.

Clothes of the Middle Ages: features

The first and most striking difference is the material from which the dresses were created. In the production of clothes, cotton was used along with flax, but different grades of these fabrics were used. Rich people wore costumes from flax, the poor - more often from sacking, wool.

The color of clothes was also of great importance. For example, the poor were not allowed to wear bright colors, such a privilege was only among representatives of noble families - they were dressed in green, red and blue robes. For the common people gray, black, brown colors were available. The deprivation of the right to wear clothes made in shades corresponding to the origin of a person was one of the most severe punishments in the society.

For the archeologists of great interest is the clothes of the Middle Ages. The photos taken during the excavations show that it was difficult to distinguish a simple worker from a knight in everyday life. Home clothes were made from the same materials and did not differ in originality.

Same costumes

Clothing of the Middle Ages (early stage) is usually characterized by its simplicity and monotony. She did not differ in variety and did not divide into male and female. In general, tailors did not worry about the suit being in the figure to its owner, and usually all things were free, and even baggy.

It should be noted that it was during this period that a separate type of clothing for the clergy was established. Previously, church officials wore the same dresses as other people. Byzantine influence on the form of the clergy took over, and this can be considered the stage of the birth of church clothing.

Connection with modernity

Clothing in the style of the Middle Ages greatly influenced modernity. For example, the buttons that are present today on almost every subject of the wardrobe, were invented precisely in this era. Until the 12th century, pieces of clothing were fastened with ties or clasps, which were rather beautiful than practical in use. With the spread of buttons these elements began to be made of various materials: leather, bone, metal. Such a variety made it possible to harmoniously combine fabrics and buttons of apparels.

Details of gothic costumes

Clothing of the Middle Ages began to be enriched with details. More attention was paid to decorating clothes (embroidery), especially on the dress gown. He was cut so that the ornament on the undershirt could be seen. The belt also became an important part of the wardrobe: it was tied in front, and its long ends fell to the feet.

With reference to detail, a new stage in the development of fashion began. Dresses are reshaped, throwing out extra pieces; Clothes sewed, taking into account the features of each person's body. Now the costumes closely adhered to the figure, emphasizing all its advantages. It can be argued that it is at this stage that the clothes of the Middle Ages acquire secular character.

Gothic style in women's dresses appeared in elongated silhouettes, high collars, tight laces at the waist. Clothes were picked up under the chest, and this created a special accent, a hint at the beauty of femininity and motherhood. For men, the Gothic style manifested itself in suit suits, either long or shortened. As a rule, the last option was chosen by young people.

At this time in the creation of costumes several materials were combined at once: silk, linen, wool and leather found their application in the wardrobe of the townspeople. Thanks to such combinations, the first style of a dress with a differentiation of the corset and skirt appeared, the latter beginning from the waist. New types of matter, such as cloth, gently hug the figure.

Distributed and new color solutions: a suit for a man, for example, consisted of two halves of different colors, usually contrasting in their shades.

Color had a huge symbolic meaning. For example, the one who served his beloved lady must wear the clothes of her favorite color. The same was true of the servants who dressed in clothes, corresponding in shades to the arms of their masters.

The most popular color in the Middle Ages was yellow, but not everyone could afford such a dress.

New inventions

At the end of the 13th century, people refused to pleat, but lace appeared in the costumes. The dresses were decorated with fur edges, shawls or cloaks were added to the mandatory accessories. The cloak also was worn quite often, usually it was decorated with fur and various clasps. It was customary to pull a cloak over your head. Women hid their hairstyles with soft cloth covers. The position of the veil denoted the mood of its possessor: for example, the cloth pulled over her face spoke of sadness, and the headband tied with joy.

The clothes of the Middle Ages became more practical over time: now it could carry coins, more attention was paid to the convenience of movement.

The changes also touched the sleeves: often they reached the floor or were collected. Especially the wide parts of the sleeves and skirts were pleated.

Headgear and accessories

Important role played hair. Men and women equally watched their headgear and even curled the curls with the help of special hot tongs (this is something like modern ploices). And although the church forbade doing anything with their hair, the inhabitants of cities rarely listened to it in pursuit of fashion. Long, well-groomed hair was popular. Women collected them in a variety of hairstyles, which were very high. They were adorned with branches of flowers and precious stones. Often, for convenience, special cylinders - hennins were used. This object supported the hair and could be either transparent or decorated with a falling veil.

The influence of the Middle Ages on the history of fashion

It is believed that the Gothic clothing of the Middle Ages was most prevalent in the Czech Republic. Czech tailors became inventors of skirts and various adaptations, styles of clothes.

The appearance of buttons, new types of hair styling and ways to dress clothes made a huge contribution to fashion. The Middle Ages can be considered a difficult time for the development of culture: the plague, constant wars and undeveloped medicine - all these factors were hindrances to the peaceful life of people. However, it is precisely this time that is designated by the leap of society to the beautiful, which will continue in the Renaissance.

Clothing in the Middle Ages began to be created not only for practical purposes, but also for beauty. Not only were the costumes decorated and transformed, the changes took place with architecture, painting, literature and music. The more cultured the society became, the more attention the people paid to the subtleties, and in all things one could find a special aesthetics.

The clothes of the Middle Ages appeared in one of the most beautiful and interesting stages of the development of fashion. From simple dresses, similar to monastic robe, people came to richly decorated costumes with huge sleeves and decorative embroideries, interesting skirts and high hairstyles. Sacking and wool began to be replaced by flax and silk. The most unusual color solutions found their reflection in clothing and accessories, and experiments with the combination of fabrics allowed us to express ourselves and show our individuality.