In today’s modern world, nobody would have grown up without ever owning a pair of the blue jeans. Pair up your blue jeans with a designer blouse for the glamorous look or with a t-shirt for an everyday get-up. In the medieval times, they also have this stable, basic get-up which they could either dress up or down – and this is the tunic, which is the most basic medieval costume.

This legendary medieval costume, the tunic, derived its name from the Latin word “tunica” worn in the ancient Rome. The Romans however, originally got the idea of this outfit form the earlier Greek costumes. In today’s terminology, the tunic is your big baggy t-shirt.

The original tunics worn by the Romans soldiers were simply two pieces of identical rectangular cloth sewn together, but leaving provisions for the arms and the head. Later, people learned to make tunics with sleeves especially in the colder regions of Europe such as Britain and Germany where similar clothes were already used by the locals.

The style, design, simplicity or complexity of this medieval costume indicated the social status of the wearer in the Roman society. Let’s just say that the more ornate your tunic is the higher is your social status. People who led a more sedentary life had longer tunics, while those who are doing manual labor such as soldiers, slaves and horse-back riders had their tunic just above the knee to give them freedom of movement. For formal occasions, tunics were worn under a toga.

Even after the fall of the Roman Empire, the popularity of the tunic as an everyday medieval costume continued to spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. It was usually worn over underclothes, which for men, basically consisted of drawers or ankle-length pants, undershirts and hose.

On the other hand, the ladies wore “kirtles” or tunics worn up to the ankles. These tunics were worn after the undershirts. When they went out of their homes, the ladies wore a more elaborate and shorter kirtle over their tunics. This is truly an interesting fashion era that will have present day designers a field day with all the tunics that they have to create. All women had to wear at least one tunic. The downside of this is of course the weight of all these layers of medieval costume restricted women to move as fast and as carefree as women of today do.

Tunics were usually made of wool and linen but the aristocrats and those who can afford it had silk tunics or had it trimmed with silk. The tunic became the foundation clothing of people for the next hundreds of years, until they were replaced by the modern day clothing that we now have.

Tunics in the early middle ages had embroidery. This was probably the precedent for the elaborately embroidered tunics used today by religious persons such as priests, clergies, monks, nun and the like during religious rites such as the mass and similar events.

From the Middle Ages and onwards, the tunic has evolved into several variations of styles, lengths, width and fitness. Despite its evolution, one thing remains. This medieval costume never went out of style from the time it was discovered until now.

What you wore during the medieval period depends on your class in the society. If you were in a noble class you would own a variety of the latest styles and colours of medieval clothing, from silk robes to damask gowns. If you were a peasant, the only choice you had as clothing was to wear a tunic. This meant that your medieval clothing was rough and itchy, really difficult to wash and dry, and is quite hot in the summer. However, the quality of one’s medieval clothes would largely depend on how wealthy you were. Thus you can either have smooth and finely sewn dresses or simple and more likely uncomfortable ones.

The medieval clothes were mostly influenced by the kings and queens of that era. It was as if society had dictated that only the noble people were allowed to wear fashionable clothes while the peasants should only wear basic and practical clothes.

The noble people daily thought about medieval clothes, in particular, the current trend in their times and respond to the new fashion trend by having a new set of wardrobes made for themselves. They do have the money to buy such luxurious medieval dresses and elaborate accessories to go with it. Alternatively, the peasants had to make or trade their goods and other stuff to acquire the materials they need to use to fashion their clothes from.

It was very easy to distinguish the medieval clothes of the noble men and women from peasants’ wear. Those of noble descent wore robes that are fastened around their waist with long bands attached to their sleeves that form some sort of a necklace. Moreover their medieval dresses were mostly made with fabrics like burnet, perse, Lincoln scarlet, kersey, chalons and damask.

In contrast, the peasants’ clothing was composed of more basic, practical and certainly not decorated clothing. A common peasant’s wear can be composed of a woolen tunic, woolen trousers, cowls and a pair of boots for their feet. A peasant’s shirt can be made of cloth or skin that is fastened by a leather belt around their waist. They also cover themselves with a thick woolen mantle which falls on their shoulders to half-way down their legs.

The medieval clothing back then was dictated by the pyramid of power which was a reflection of the middle ages’ feudal system. This way of life was also known during the medieval period as the “pyramid society” where people clustered according to their social standing were grouped and formed the shape of a pyramid. The pyramid was ruled by the few kings and queens who are found at the top of the pyramid with the other clusters below them. The base of the pyramid is where the most number of people who belong to the lowest class are found.

As the medieval society progressed over time, the style of the medieval clothes also evolved. What started as a simple tunic has become a more elaborate costume lavished with gold, silver, pearls and other precious stones.

The renaissance costume began around 1940’s. It started from one country then spread throughout the other countries until the Germans went to the point of making an improvement on the natural silhouette. They liked to put large puffs on the head and shoulders as well as their thighs and little puffs on the arms, back and chest. Moreover, they used feathers to accessorize almost anything, from their wide-brimmed hats to their knees. Renaissance costumes followed all other types of creative clothing at this time-and as a result, it went over as new discoveries.

The renaissance costumes were most often in strong, dark colors. Black velvet was the type of fabric commonly used during this period, especially for people’s headdresses. A favorite accent for gold and burgundy colored renaissance clothing was white linen. People typically use white linen as accents in their collars and wrist ruffles. When there is an important occasion, wealthy people would wear an expensive congressionalized version of more historically accurate garb, and those who can’t afford to have one would only remain in coetaneous clothing.

The men’s renaissance costumes were usually a variation of low-crowned, brimmed cap and were often one side turned up or even turned up all around. The common hair style back then was bobbed. The length of their hair actually depended on their own taste as well as if they prefer it to be either straight or curled. But during the 16th century, advanced men had hair that were almost as short as that of men’s hair today.

On the other hand, renaissance costumes for women included variations of cote and handkerchief or collar around their neck. They also wore funnel sleeves where it starts big and slowly tightens toward the cuff. Just like the men’s fashion trends, they also wore a low-crowned hat. They also either had intricate hair arrangements or just used a kerchief. Aside from that, they can also choose to wear headdresses such as gable, crescent, transparent half-dome bonnet, kennel or the gorget or wimple. Their look and dress is akin to that of the Puritans.

In essence, the major characteristics of the renaissance costumes in all the countries during the period of rebirth are: renaissance clothing mostly use rich and heavy materials which are in voluminous amount; close body garments had large sleeves and large hip clothing; the shoes were wide toes with no heels; and men and women liked to cover their heads with hats and headdresses among others.

Having played a vital role in the history of mankind, the Renaissance or the Period of Rebirth has permanently marked its place and has been etched in our memory as the time of colossal discoveries, allure and intrigue. This can be observed in the amount of renaissance costumes that have been made available to us either in real costume rental and merchandising stores as well as in virtual vendors. And we can take part in the commemoration of this exciting period and relive the awesome splendor of the Renaissance today.

The Medieval Period or the Middle ages is the period of the European history from 5th to 15th century. A number of remarkable events happened and led to great and many contributions to our modern history. It was an era of arts, music, religion, and politics. It was a tough period for an average person at that time. They had to fight and be strong to survive. People had to resort to wearing any medieval costume to protect them from the heat and the cold. So dark and grim was the time of the Middle Ages that it was also known as the Dark Ages.

In spite of this, the medieval costume always had a special meaning. It played a significant role in the symbol of social status in the society. The less fortunate wore very simple and cheap fabrics while the wealthy showed off more elegant clothing. The medieval costume for Kings and Queens were very expensive and boasted of magnificent silks and luxurious attire.

However, towards the end of the 16th century, the fashion style took a dramatic transformation. This period was known as the Elizabethan period. This was because so much of the period was a result of Queen Elizabeth’s influence and power. The Queen’s passion for art, music, and fashion brought the emergence of poets, artists, and writers. It attracted the most talented individuals of the era. Learning was greatly encouraged that Oxford and Cambridge Universities were reorganized and were chartered as centers for learning.

Part of the renaissance costume was the hairstyles which were generally short for men and frizzy swept up look in a headdress called ‘snood’ covering the hair with a wire forming a heart-shaped style for women. Queen Elizabeth was the Queen of international fashion. She was exceedingly interested in the fashions of other lands as well. She would import tailors from abroad, and she had patterns sent to other countries and had sets of renaissance costume made to her size.

Women tried hard to imitate her curly hair using different dye recipes. False hair or wigs were also used to imitate her hair because it was easier to manage. For Queen Elizabeth, it was important for her to maintain her image of the “Virgin Queen”. Pure beauty was of light hair and snow white complexion, with an admirable red lips and cheeks.

Queen Elizabeth’s contribution to the renaissance costume extended to the male garments as well. Gentleman were seen in their most fashionable and flashy outfits. They used rich fabrics, bands of contrasting colors and elaborate embroidery motifs to display the wealth and magnificence of their renaissance costume. They would sometimes wear girdles, the equivalent of the female corset, to obtain a really thin look to their bodies. Doublets were worn to give emphasis on the shoulder and the hip area.

Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe of renaissance costumes was designed to impress. The renaissance dresses were even used for very modest affairs. Clothing was heavily ornamented with rich fabric using gold and silver embroidery. It was hand embroidered with colored thread, and decorated with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and all kinds of jewels.

Fortunately, for Queen Elizabeth, she did not have to sustain all the expenses on her own. People began to bring clothing to the Queen as a present to gain favor from her. She received lavish renaissance costume every year. As a matter of fact, Elizabeth’s first pair of knitted silk stockings came to her as a gift on New Year’s Day.

Medieval costumes from the 11th to the 13th century were a representation of the people’s social standing. Members of the nobilities dressed a lot more affluently than those belonging to the lower social classes. People’s professions were also easily identified by the medieval clothing that they used. Back then, medieval costumes were an integral part of a social structure with a clear delineation between the rich and the poor.

For the men, the following are the usual medieval costumes:

 Peasant men mostly wore woolen jackets with woolen pants or knickers, sometimes accented with a cotton shirt. Hats, socks and shoes are not an option to many peasants simply because they could not afford it.
 Aristocratic men mostly wore a jacket and a hose. The sleeve designs for rich people were more elaborate than the working classes. Their medieval clothes were mostly made from expensive fabrics like silk and satin.
 Nomadic barbarians’ clothes were made of fur, wool and leather to protect them from the cold climate of their region. They had long trousers and leather shoes.
 Tunics were first worn loose but soon evolved into a tight fitting garment.
 Most men wore their tunics up to the knees, but old men and monks wore them up to the ground. Kings and other members of the nobility also had their tunics up to their feet whenever there are formal occasions.
 Trousers were Germanic and the Romans initially were not akin to it. However, the practicality of using trousers proved to be more potent than racial divisions that the Romans eventually got the wind of using it
 Leather shoes are for those who can afford them. Before 1300 AD, shoes had square toes. Later, fashion got fancy that shoes had pointed or hooked toes.

For the women, the following were the medieval costumes:

 Peasant women’s attire consisted of a long tunic commonly called kirtle usually made of wool and linen. They were sometimes laced in front like a corset or were laced down at the back.
 Women endured the wearing of more than one layer of tunics for their medieval clothing, but they did not use knickers.
 They never wore pants, but they sometimes had socks on.
 Elite women wore fancy tall hats decorated to high heavens.
 They thought it beautiful to have high foreheads, so they plucked hair from their foreheads.
 The medieval dresses of wealthy women of the medieval age were elaborately done. In earlier medieval period, the attire used to consist of a long tunic like a gown and elaborate head covers.
 Married women also wore tight fitting caps and nets over their hair, which was tied in a bun.
 Others had veiled, and let their hair hang loose or braided. However, there was a time in history that letting ones hair loose is associated with witchcraft, so women had developed several styles of braiding the hair, which was usually done by hairdressers. However, not all women can afford to pay hairdressers or maids to do their hair thus they relied on their clothes and inherent features to beautify themselves.

More than today’s generation, people during the medieval age were more concerned at what they wore in relation to their standing in the society. The medieval costumes’ importance transcended more than the humans’ need for clothing and protection, to social acceptance based on the prevailing norms of the Middle Ages. Though not restricted in terms of design and creativity, people dressed according to their social class because of the affordability of medieval clothing.

The social strata played an immense role in the trend of fashion and on the medieval clothing’s history in general. The
medieval clothes worn long time ago dictated the social status of an individual for only the wealthy people and the prominent ones were entitled to wear the most fancy, expensive and colorful medieval clothing while poor people had to use blankets and russets for their medieval clothes.

The rich people’s medieval costumes were made out from fabrics such as velvets, furs, silks, cotton and taffeta. The silks and cottons were all imported from the Middle East while velvets were bought from Italy.

The medieval clothing of the wealthy people were made in a variety of colors. The coloring agent that produced the flamboyant colors in their medieval clothing were very costly. The green tincture was extracted from lychen and the blue colorant was drawn out from a rare plant. Meanwhile, red tinctures came from a Mediterranean bug. It is therefore unsurprising that the less fortunate settled for wool, linen and sheep skin and were not vibrantly colored as opposed to those of the upper class people.

Generally, all the medieval clothes consisted of various layers. Since people in the medieval ages spend their time outdoors and in castles where the temperature is usually chilly, it was paramount to keep themselves warm.

The peasant men’s clothing were knee length tunics that were secured with a belt. Peasant women wore lengthy dresses that was made out of the same as that of their male counterparts and similarly secured with a belt.

On the other hand, the wealthy men wore trousers wrapped with lengthy tunics. Surcoats and Tabards were also put on which were covered with cloaks designed with a fascinating fur and a broach. Hats were included in the overall medieval clothing. Hats were made from the same expensive materials that their clothes were made from. The rich men’s shoes were of velvet, leather and silk and were secured with a buckle.

The medieval clothing of prominent women had numerous layers. Their underclothings were composed of breeches, hose and a chemise. The top covering can be a long gown or dress that may be bright yellow or white linen. Gowns were tailored from fabrics such as velvets, silks, furs, cottons and taffeta. The neck part and the hem of the gown were embellished with lace and exquisite gems. Tunics such as biauds and tabards covered the gowns. Their medieval dresses were wrapped-up with mantels. The women’s shoes were likewise made from the same materials as those of men. To spice their overall medieval appeal, women wore their hair long and braided and covered with a wimple, which was a piece of silk pinned over their hair.

Over the years, the medieval men and women started to wear hats as part of their medieval clothing. In fact, the taller the hats, the better it was for their looks. Their clothes also took on a few other additions which evolved into more elegant styles.

“Avast Ye!” one of the famous pirate lines of all times. And it simply means, “Stop and pay attention” like, “Get a load of this.” And at this very moment that is exactly what I want to tell you. This is for all the gals out there who know they aren’t just for the kitchen, but they can be tough and spunky too.

During the time when pirates were greatly feared by men at sea or at land, have you ever wondered whether girls dared to venture into this seemingly dangerous occupation? They did actually. To name a few they were Mary Read and Anne Bonny. In a way, I am thankful for them. If it weren’t for their bravery and guts to take on a popular man’s trade, we wouldn’t have been able to discover the Pirate Blouses.

Pirate Blouses are simply an outfit similar to a man’s shirt, but definitely more fashionable. Girls are wonderful that way; they can make something ordinary or grotesque into something special and worth wearing. Hence, the Pirate Blouses.

For days I had searched the web for any information about pirate ladies or even just pirates, and only a few came up. This made me think of their diminishing value and legend. But when I had looked up Pirate costumes, particularly Pirate blouses, more than a hundred links appeared.

What does this mean, you ask me? I guess it simply means that people today aren’t much different from those long ago: we still care for style. Looking at the Pirate blouses on sale and available today, I couldn’t help but be genuinely amazed that these are the kind of blouses they wear on sea!

One of the best selling Pirate blouses is the Mary Read blouse. It definitely stands out for its unique combination of beauty and boldness. When someone wears it, the image portrayed is one of an elegant yet courageous lady. Have you seen any men pirate wear stunning outfits such as these? And to think that Mary Read, the woman who pretended to be a boy for almost all her life, made the blouse popular!

The thing that makes these Pirate blouses interesting at some level is because of its history. I mean, yeah sure, some actresses and celebrities have their own clothes line. But lady pirates take it to a whole new intensity. They fight, they stole, and they are feared, but their clothes still lived on. And not only that, people make a living by making Pirate Blouses.

Another best selling blouse for pirates is the Ladgerda Blouse. This Rayon Crepe blouse reflects the rare combination of simplicity and elegance. The below-hip length ends with a pointed centre bottom in front & back matching with a down to earth personality. The loose fitting body ensures a comfortable wearing through out the year in all seasons.

The sage of success repeats itself. Follow the example of the lady pirates where they created classiness in simplicity. Beneath every successful adventure, there lies such unique attitude. Unearthed them in the light of modern times and get motivated in a pirate way.

W.S. Gilbert had once written “It is, it is a glorious thing, to be a Pirate King.” Here’s what those ladies have to say, “With what I wear, it’s a glorious thing to be a Pirate Queen.”

How would you like to ring in a medieval costume party with a medieval dress that brings you back to the olden times? If you want to be a knight or be a princess, here are the top picks we have gathered for medieval dresses so you would not have to go on a long and bumpy ride. You will miss half of your party’s life if you do not check out these hot picks.

Read more

You certainly won’t run out of ideas if you want to feel the elegance of the past when wearing the best medieval dress. For ladies, you can be a pirate wearing loose fitting pirate blouses, be a wench bartender or a damsel in distress. Men can go as pirates, soldiers or even knights. Living in the medieval times may not be one of the best times to live in but unexpectedly, a medieval dress is something that is quite enticing to wear despite the price of the gown and the shortness of breath one would have when donning a medieval costume.

Having to choose the best medieval dress for the fair can be overwhelming and yet so rewarding. In choosing the medieval costume you want to be dressed in, it is best to consider the following factors:

The Theme

If the fair you are attending has a general theme, you won’t be having too many problems. You can practically wear anything as long as you achieve the perfect medieval look. However, themed costume parties like a kings and queens ball can be difficult. So you might want to find an appropriate medieval dress on the internet or through costume rental stores. Online retailers have a wide assortment of medieval costumes you may want to purchase rather than rent.

The Event

To get a sense of what the party is for and what the theme is, you can check the invitation card to fish out some ideas. Is it for a wedding? Whether it is for a bachelorette party, a bachelor’s party or even a wedding party, there is a corresponding appropriate medieval dress for each occasion.

Often times, choosing the ideal medieval costume requires a lot of time and effort. One of the best ways that could help save you time to search for the perfect medieval dress is by browsing online. There are lots of online shops that offer a wide variety of medieval costumes and it would not take you long to spot the right medieval dress that would fit nicely with the party’s theme.

Your budget

The quality of the medieval dress you get would depend on your budget. How far will you go and spend to get a beautiful and elaborate medieval costume? One trick that would help you save on costs is to buy a set of medieval costume instead of purchasing the costume per piece. It is advisable not to settle for a cheap medieval costume that you might regret in the long run.

These are just few of the tips that you need to consider when buying a medieval dress. Remember these tips as you choose the perfect medieval costume for your party. Have fun!

The growth in the number of people who wants to try wearing renaissance clothing is greatly increasing. With occasions that embrace this kind of costume wear such as parties, festivals and even weddings, renaissance clothing is a surefire avenue for anyone who is eager to show off their attires to actively participate and join in on the festivities.

Specifically, in a wedding scene, the bride and the groom’s party should have that romantic atmosphere fit for a renaissance period. There should be a hint of chivalry and grace which can be well associated to the occasion and the era. It would be helpful if there is an old church or other such setting that would suit the historical period. In addition, it would be great to help make the guests feel closer to nature by being outdoors. Adding flowers and ribbons on chairs, walls, and posts would also help in adding beauty for this joyous occasion. Candles too will add a touch of renaissance and romance.

The bride’s renaissance wedding dress should likewise make a great impression. It can be something long and flowing with bell sleeves and intricate bodice that will flatter the bride’s body structure without neglecting the much needed comfort for the bride. Recommended fabrics to be used are Twill, Gabardine, Silk, Satin, Embroidered Silks and Satins. The bride’s renaissance dress will look better if it is laced at the sides or front and has a low-cut. Ribbons and laces are good accents for the renaissance dress with some golden jewelry with bright, shiny stones. That would definitely complete a perfect renaissance period wedding look.

The groom’s renaissance clothing would be difficult since not all men would like to wear tights or leggings. Something that would fit any man would be a coat with silk brocade partnered with a good pair of leather boots. As for the bridesmaids and groomsmen, they can wear different colored versions of the couple’s outfits or another good alternative may be to portray the different classes of the period for variety and authenticity.

The invitation could be designed with a wax seal, a medieval poem or anything gothic that can tell your guests what the ceremony and the theme would be like. Hiring a bagpiper, a harpist or even a madrigal group would be especially great in the reception to fully envelop the renaissance party as well as the mood of the guests.

Other touches can include a guestbook that uses a quill pen and parchment scrolls for the menu or program of activities tied with velvet ribbons that will be placed on each table at the reception. Moreover, you can have a court Jester to entertain the crowd and address your guests as ladies and lords.

Personal touches can differ for every wedding since a renaissance wedding can be carried out with extensive detail, from the decorations to the renaissance clothing. Whatever the case may be, be sure that it will be a night to remember filled with fun and joyous celebration that the bride and groom’s family and friends would love to cherish and talk about for years to come.

Playtime during the middle ages was way different compared to the present time. The toys that they have were very simple. An example would be Toy Knights, Puppets and Dolls. They are tastefully dressed in medieval clothing.

Dolls looked very sophisticated. They were dressed in full bouffant skirts with a chamisse underneath too. They had medieval accessories as well such as belts, crowns and medieval wedding dress, with the king and queen as well as their loyal subjects gathered around. It was like staging a fairy tale wedding, which until now, is part of every little girl’s dream.

no credit check loan