Are you a Peasant, Lord or Lady? Whatever you are you will find the right Medieval Renaissance Costumes to suit you

See the complete range of costumes and accessories here: Medieval Renaissance Costume

Contrary to popular notion, the medieval period spanned not just a century of human history but a millennium stretching from the 5th to the 16th centuries. Thus, history books also refer to it in the plural of the Medieval Ages for this precise reason.

Maid Marian Renaissance Costumes	Noble Lord Renaissance Costume	Tavern Wench Renaissance Costume	Lancelot Renaissance Costume

Basics on the Renaissance

Within the Medieval Ages occurred the Renaissance period, which saw the rise of literature and the arts, science and technology, religion and theology, philosophy and politics and of humanism. Indeed, it was the rebirth of civilization that many historians viewed as the bridge between the Medieval Ages and the modern era.

Renaissance Queen Child Costume	Renaissance Knight Child Costume	Baroness Renaissance Child Costume

It is this period that many fairs and festivals have been celebrated in modern times from the food and drinks to the games and sports. And of course, when these celebrations occur, medieval Renaissance costumes are not far behind. After all, clothes add the most authenticity to the whole affair of bringing back the glory days when the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, two of the world’s most famous artists – nay, geniuses – lived.

Brigadoon Renaissance Costume	Musketeer Renaissance Costume	Lady Musketeer Adult Costume	Deluxe Knight Renaissance Costume

Basics for Women

The clothes of the medieval Renaissance varied depending on the region and the time period. Thus, the costumes of today present a wide variety of choices from the simple Maid Marian and commoner costumes to the elaborate Spanish and French nobility ensembles. Regardless of the social status of the person being portrayed, however, it is very important to note that brassieres are not to be worn – the tightly fitted bodice lifted and supported the feminine figure in all social classes.

And speaking of social classes, the medieval Renaissance costume significantly differed based on the social status of the woman. For peasants, the basic wear was very common in the sense that the fabrics were on the practical and simple side. Cotton and wool dyed in the earthy colors of green and brown were the standards as well as wooden shoes. The simple look consisted of a peasant blouse, a bodice and a floor-length skirt.

Women belonging to the upper classes went for the elaborate, colorful and layered look, which was intended to conform to the ideals of beauty. Depending on the specific time period of history, women of the gentry wore tight corsets with wide sleeves, starched ruffs and stiff farthingales, shift and knickers and a variety of layers, in many instances as much as five in one ensemble.

Basics for Men

In the same way that the medieval Renaissance clothes for women varied depending on the period, the men will wear tunics of varying lengths, opaque leggings, codpieces, boots and belts. Again, status was determined based on the fabric and color choice as well as the details of the design.

Thus, the basics for peasant men consisted of baggy pants with a peasant shirt over which a tunic was thrown for protection against the elements. The noble men, on the other hand, wore hose instead of baggy pants while the shirts and tunics were more elaborate, more decorated and more ornate than those of the peasant men. Add in pointy shoes and the ensemble is complete.

Medieval Renaissance costumes are fun to play around with. It can be as simple as the costume of Robin Hood or as elaborate as the outfits of Henry VIII, which means that you have plenty of room to be creative in your getup.

* * * * *

Bristol Medieval Renaissance

* * *

Home Page | About Us | Contact Us | Privacy | Disclosure | Sitemap