What did people wear in the Middle Ages?

Answer 1

During the Early Middle Ages (476-1000), clothing tended to be simple and somber for nearly everyone. And this trend continued for peasants for the whole period. The cut of the clothing was derived from that of ancient Rome, with tunics predominating, though in northern areas, people wore breeches, possibly covering the feet in addition to the legs. Wealthy people added furs and jewelry, which serfs could not afford. The most important fabric was wool, and there was also linen fabric. Jewelry included rings, necklaces, torques, and brooches, and could be very elaborate. Fine embroidery was used, and during the later part of this period, the needle work of Anglo saxon embroiderers was famous throughout much of Europe.

Shoes were turn-shoe style, meaning that they were fitted but had a very simple shape drawn together with a string. Shoes for wealthy people were better made, but were similar to those for the lower classes. Sandals were worn, especially in southern areas.

During the High Middle Ages (1000-1300), people started experimenting with costume just as they experimented with Gothic architecture, secular poetry, and polyphonic music. Most of the early changes centered on the question of color. Wealthy people wore long tunics and flared sleeves, while poorer peoples' tunics were shorter. Silks began to be used extensively among the very rich in the last years of the High Middle Ages. This was the result of the opening of the silk road by the Mongols, after they conquered Central Asia. Also, more expensive furs came to be imported from such places as Russia. Shoes remained simple.

During this period, the symbols of wealth became more and more important, and the materials used were dictated by class. It became necessary for members of the nobility to see to it that their place in society was not usurped by people who were merely wealthy. The result was that sumptuary laws were enacted forbidding people below certain stations to wear particular fabrics or items identified with nobility.

Colorful fashions and trinkets were used by men before they were used by women. The philosophy of the time compared people with animals and said this was the natural order. Male lions had manes, lionesses did not. Male birds had bright plumage, and females were colored with browns. So, they argued, human beings should be also. Men should have bright colors in their clothes, and women should dress in brown. It did not last.

The Late Middle Ages (1300-1453) saw a very great increase in attention to fashion, which grew more and more extreme as time went by. The old fashions, still derived from Rome, were replaced with new tailored clothes that fit the body closely. Trousers and jackets were for men, and dresses for women were more revealing of their figures. Working men and women wore clothes that were functional, and the women wore dresses with aprons and kerchiefs. Buttons came into use, as did lacing, allowing these changes. At this time, colors became even more important, and contrasts were so important that it became common for people to wear clothes with contrasting colors for legs of trousers. In addition to wool and linen, and silk for the wealthy, cotton came into use. Furs were commonly used, and rabbit fur was inexpensive and often worn for warmth. Shoes tended to be very long and pointed, which toes stuffed so they would hold their shape.

There are several links below to articles related to medieval clothing and fashion.

Answer 2

During the Early Middle Ages (476-1000), clothing tended to be simple and somber for nearly everyone. And this trend continued for peasants for the whole period. The cut of the clothing was derived from that of ancient Rome, with tunics predominating, though in northern areas, people wore breeches, possibly covering the feet in addition to the legs. Wealthy people added furs and jewelry, which serfs could not afford. The most important fabric was wool, and there was also linen fabric. Jewelry included rings, necklaces, torques, and brooches, and could be very elaborate. Fine embroidery was used, and during the later part of this period, the needle work of Anglo saxon embroiderers was famous throughout much of Europe.

Shoes were turn-shoe style, meaning that they were fitted but had a very simple shape drawn together with a string. Shoes for wealthy people were better made, but were similar to those for the lower classes. Sandals were worn, especially in southern areas.

During the High Middle Ages (1000-1300), people started experimenting with costume just as they experimented with Gothic architecture, secular poetry, and polyphonic music. Most of the early changes centered on the question of color. Wealthy people wore long tunics and flared sleeves, while poorer peoples' tunics were shorter. Silks began to be used extensively among the very rich in the last years of the High Middle Ages. This was the result of the opening of the silk road by the Mongols, after they conquered Central Asia. Also, more expensive furs came to be imported from such places as Russia. Shoes remained simple.

During this period, the symbols of wealth became more and more important, and the materials used were dictated by class. It became necessary for members of the nobility to see to it that their place in society was not usurped by people who were merely wealthy. The result was that sumptuary laws were enacted forbidding people below certain stations to wear particular fabrics or items identified with nobility.

Colorful fashions and trinkets were used by men before they were used by women. The philosophy of the time compared people with animals and said this was the natural order. Male lions had manes, lionesses did not. Male birds had bright plumage, and females were colored with browns. So, they argued, human beings should be also. Men should have bright colors in their clothes, and women should dress in brown. It did not last.

The Late Middle Ages (1300-1453) saw a very great increase in attention to fashion, which grew more and more extreme as time went by. The old fashions, still derived from Rome, were replaced with new tailored clothes that fit the body closely. Trousers and jackets were for men, and dresses for women were more revealing of their figures. Working men and women wore clothes that were functional, and the women wore dresses with aprons and kerchiefs. Buttons came into use, as did lacing, allowing these changes. At this time, colors became even more important, and contrasts were so important that it became common for people to wear clothes with contrasting colors for legs of trousers. In addition to wool and linen, and silk for the wealthy, cotton came into use. Furs were commonly used, and rabbit fur was inexpensive and often worn for warmth. Shoes tended to be very long and pointed, which toes stuffed so they would hold their shape.

There are several links below to articles related to medieval clothing and fashion.

Answer 3

if you were high up you would wear a silk dress for a girl or a suit for boys for children close to being the same but if you were a peasant very low down you would wear rags and nothing else....

hoped it helped =)