Clothing During the 1600s
The type of clothing worn during the 1600s is much different than what is worn today, not just for women but men also.
In the 1600s, fashion was a large part of the culture of a town. In the beginning, fashion usually separated people from their classes, the wealthy wearing certain items, the middle class others, and the lower class much different from the others. But as time went on, the middle class began to copy the wealthy and fashion integrated into what everyone wore. Unlike today, men wore extremely elaborate, layered and feminine outfits. Lace collars, magnificent head pieces and ruffs were usually worn on the head and neck. Shirts and other pieces for the torso were fitted at the waist with long sleeves that flared at the wrist and puffed out, with lace on the end of course. Boots were the main shoe men wore during the 1600s, and later stockings were introduced to wear under boots. Similar to men, women also had very elegant, elaborate clothing as well. Dresses, petticoats and bodices were mainly worn everyday. Depending on the event, the dresses were more casual or fancy. High necklines with square shoulders and wire bodices were the most common everyday attire. Like the men, women wore large, lace and wide collars above their dresses. Women's hairstyles varied as to if they were married or single. Shoes were usually decorated with velvet and silk, and the smaller the foot, the more lady-like you appeared. In the play Romeo and Juliet, knowing the clothing and fashion during the 1600s helps you invasion what it happening throughout the play. Having modern day clothing and old english being said would be a bit out of place. Knowing the types of suits and dressed that Romeo and Juliet and all else in the play are wearing can help to invasion the play in your mind and create a better understanding of what is happening.
This video clip, although it's in french, shows the variety of different types of clothing during the 1600s for women. From the elegant and elaborate dresses to the plain cloth dresses worn by the poor.
A sketch of the typical upper class outfit for the 1600s