Women`s Renaissance Costumes

Historians use the word Renaissance to identify a period in European history that was famous for various cultural and artistic movements. This period started in Florence, around 14th century and it ended around 17th century. Well-known painters and sculptors like Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci lived in this era. The period is also famous for fine clothes that differentiated the period from era before, and era after.

Attractive Renaissance costumes for women are available in a variety of styles that even a peasant can afford. These lovely costumes are ideal for a dramatic entrance at the local Renaissance fair or a costume party. Depending on their preferences, women can dress like everything from barmaids to royalty.

Women’s Renaissance costumes are used today in many plays, movies, and renaissance faires or the ren faires. Most people identify women’s renaissance costumes as the clothing worn by the queens of England, Elizabeth I in particular. While Queen Elizabeth I had many rich renaissance dresses, there are other patterns of renaissance clothing that were worn by women from France, Spain, and Germany. Even the clothes worn by peasant women of that era are very fashionable. Some of the designs have been incorporated in contemporary fashion clothing.

Women’s Renaissance costumes for royalty and upper class women are mostly made of gowns. These gowns were mostly made from rich silky and heavy fabrics, which were further adorned with embroidery pieces and lace work. The colors that were selected to make such clothing were dark, i.e., green, dark red, brown, and blue, apart from black. Sleeves were almost always full in length and generally tight. At times puffs were added on these sleeves. Shoulder pads were also added at times to fix these sleeves. Train of these gowns was often long and turned up. Bodices were tight. Skirts of the gowns were very large.

Unlike these, women’s renaissance costumes for peasant women are much simpler. These women commonly used long puffed full-length white-sleeved blouses. Apart from this, they wore dark colored bodices that varied in designs. Sleeves could be bell sleeves as well as was common in chemises worn by women in that era.

The fitted bodices and flowing skirts typical of women`s Renaissance flatter the figure for women of all sizes. Blouses, vests and bodices create the illusion of a trimmer waist while showing off the neckline. Full skirts flow gracefully from the waist emphasizing the feminine nature of the garment.

There are so many source of information on where to get designs of Womens Renaissance costumes. Look below to find out more:

Magazines

Look into fashion magazines with the renaissance theme of fashion so you can get ideas on what designs you want. There are magazines of old issues that you can see renaissance outfit designs. Check also the month were some popular movies shot on renaissance period came out and see the magazines because the movie is usually featured and the types of fashion used are included in the articles and posts.

Books

Books about Elizabeth and Shakespearean books with illustration are also good sources of info and ideas on renaissance outfit. You can find it in local libraries, school libraries and in bookstores.

Paintings

Internet

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