Materials

• Renaissance fashion was opulent and grand. The richer the person, the more expensive the fabric used in her clothing. Silk and fur were used lavishly, as well as brocade, velvet and cotton--which was very expensive at the time due to the heavy importation tax. Lucca, in Italy, was the first city to import large amounts of raw silk in the form of bales, called fardels. From around 1480 to 1510, patterned velvets and brocades were favored over plain fabrics, and from 1550 to 1600, dark silks and velvet were favored.
  
  

Women's Fashion

• Note the split in the gown, showing the decorative kirtle underneath.Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
  
  In the early 16th century, a typical Renaissance noblewoman would wear a linen chemise underneath a simple dress called a kirtle, which consisted of a tight bodice and a long, full skirt. Over this a gown would be worn, with a split in the front of the skirt to show the kirtle underneath. The sleeves would be very wide and often fur-trimmed. In the mid-16th century, Spanish fashion became popular, and women wore a farthingale--a cage of wire, whalebone and cloth, underneath their clothes. Sleeves became tight on the forearm, puffed on the upper arm. The late 16th century saw a surge in the popularity of grand neck ruffs, such as those worn by Elizabeth I.
  
  

Men's Fashion

• Men's early Renaissance clothing achieved a very square look, by widening the coat at the shoulders and padding it. Later in the era, a barrel look became popular-- tailors would pad the middle area of the coat with horse hair to achieve a rounded look. Under the coat, men would wear a jerkin over a shirt. Buttons would be padded, breeches and hosiery were worn on the legs, and men's shoes had square toes.
  
  

Headwear

• This portrait of Anne Boleyn illustrates the French hood.Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  A person could be fined for not having their head covered in public, so headwear was very important during the Renaissance. During the early 16th century, women wore hoods, folded to reveal a tightly-fitted cap underneath. Gabled hoods were popular until around 1540--this is the style of hood that creates a tent over the wearer's head. After 1540, French hoods were worn, usually in black velvet. This style of hood sat quite far back on the head, allowing the hair to be seen. Linen caps became popular toward the end of the Renaissance, and both men and women would wear a hat similar to a top hat for hunting.