"Bristol Renaissance Faire"

Fashions: Bristol Renaissance Faire
View additional fashions worn by the actors at the Faire.

Since the time of recorded history, fashion has been an integral aspect of every evolving society. Roman women designed sophisticated upswept hairstyles using ribbon. Regency period ladies tolerated cold winters wearing flimsy, short-sleeved gowns. Victorian women literally laced their bodies to deformity using the corset to create the desired hour glass figure.

The women of the Elizabethan period court epitomized the extent to which fashion defined an age. The style and sophisticated elegance was exhibited from a lady's chemise to the feathered-trimmed hat perched on her head. Ladies of the court were sensitive to adhere to the latest fashions. To do so was to display their wealth and position in Society. Fortunately, the noble woman had servants to assist her in donning her many layers of clothing. (According to information provided at the Renaissance Faire, it takes "Queen Elizabeth" two hours to dress the part of the Virgin Queen).

A woman at the higher echelon of Elizabethan society was meticulous in her attire beginning with the first layer of clothing - the chemise.

The chemise was typically made of fine silk or linen. The length typically reached to her knee or ankle. Full sleeves that gathered neatly to the wrist and decorated with lace made a beautiful yet practical garment beneath a gown. In truth, Elizabethans rarely bathed. As a consequence, a silk chemise helped protect the expensive garments from body oil and sweat.

The most expensive type of stocking was the knitted stocking. These stockings were primarily made of silk and only worn by the wealthy. Decorated with embroidery, colors included red, black, green, or white. Although stockings were also made of woven cloth and later knit wool which were worn by all classes. A woman would keep her stocking secured by tying a garter below her knee. (It should be noted that men also wore stockings (Venetians).

The outer garments are what draw the eyes of the fashion seeker. The shades of color available for the tailor/seamstress varied and depended upon the expense of producing them. The most common color was brown, gray, blue, red, green, and yellow. The brightest reds were made from imported dyes, which resulted in a costlier garment. Black was also considered an expensive color, as a natural dye was not available for this shade.

A variety of fabrics were used in the design of gowns, shirts, breeches (for the gentlemen), doublets and, as discussed above, the chemise. The fabrics included either linen, wool, or satin. Wool was a favorite as this raw material was one of the primary sources of England’s wealth. Wool was also considered sturdy and functioned to keep a lady warm in cooler weather and comfortable during the summer months. Satin, of course, was considered the most expensive. The fine fabric was used for shirts and made a delicate lining for velvet capes.

Leather was also an important fabric used for Elizabethan fashions. Utilized for belts, shoes, gloves, hats, and doublets, leather was readily seen in fashion.

A wide range of miscellaneous adornments decorated the capes, hats, gowns, sleeves, and breeches of the fashionable Court. Ribbon, gems, pearls, feathers, and pins added elegance and expense to a fashionable lady.

The Bristol Renaissance Faire provides visitors the marvelous opportunity to view Elizabethan fashions in three dimension in lieu of fashion plates. Up through the Victorian period, fashion consisted of numerous layers designed to create a final desired style. The Elizabethan elite certainly attended to their style in earnest.

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Bristol Renaissance Faire