- Kirtles and Gowns: Women typically wore a kirtle (a fitted underdress) beneath a gown. The gowns were often open in front to reveal the richly decorated kirtle underneath.
- The Farthingale: This was a hooped skirt worn underneath gowns to create a cone or drum shape. It gave Tudor women their distinctive wide skirts and was a symbol of nobility.
- Stomachers: A decorated panel worn over the chest, often heavily embroidered and jeweled, to emphasize wealth.
- Sleeves: Sleeves were detachable and could be swapped to change the look of an outfit. They were often puffed, slashed, and decorated.
- Headdresses: Women wore a variety of head coverings, including French hoods and gable hoods — the latter resembling the pointed shape of a house roof.
Women’s fashion combined modesty with opulence, designed to display both virtue and wealth.
The Importance of Fabrics: Wool, Silk, Velvet, and More
Fabric choice was crucial in Tudor fashion and a clear indicator of class.
- Wool: England was famous for its wool, and the majority of people wore woolen garments, though the quality varied widely.
- Silk and Velvet: Imported silks and velvets were reserved for the wealthy and royalty. These fabrics were often dyed in vibrant colors and embroidered with gold or silver thread.
- Furs: Fur-lined garments were popular among the nobility and used both for warmth and status display. Sables, martens, and ermine were favorites.
- Imported Fabrics: The Tudor court was a center for trade, importing fabrics from Italy, France, and the Ottoman Empire, which influenced fashion trends.
The tactile and visual qualities of fabrics conveyed wealth and connected England to global trade networks.h shutdown123