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A Peek at Fourteenth Century Fashion
by Debbie Lynne Costello
Clothing styles have
always changed, even back in medieval times. While changes were slower than today, styles did come and go. And fashion within the same style varied from country to country. My story is set in the late 1300’s (fourteenth century)
but an interesting fact is that as early as the 15th century sumptuary
laws* began to regulate the cost of clothing. This included the length of items
such as shoes, hoods, and trains.
*Note: According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica, sumptuary law is "any law designed to restrict excessive personal expenditures in the interest of preventing extravagance and luxury."
The hennin, which is a steeple headdress, (see illustration, right)
became popular during the 14th century. These cone-shaped headdresses
with a flowing veil became so extravagant in heights that they too, were
regulated. The higher the hennin, the higher the wearer's status in society.
Caul headdresses were also worn.
The woman’s hair would be plaited (sometimes adding bulk to the hair) and then covered with fabric, which would be shaped on each side of the
head. (Think about the evil stepmother’s hat in the 1965 version of Cinderella.)
The cauls were often jeweled.
Many types of hats were popular during this time
period from the tall hennin to the plain rectangle shaped headrail.
Caul headdresses were also worn.
The woman’s hair would be plaited (sometimes adding bulk to the hair) and then covered with fabric, which would be shaped on each side of the
head. (Think about the evil stepmother’s hat in the 1965 version of Cinderella.)
The cauls were often jeweled.
Other 14th Century Fashion Tidbits
Women plucked the hair on the
back of their necks, along with their hairlines, and thinned their eyebrows. Some
wore makeup while others sat for hours in the sun trying to get those lovely
highlights.
Both men and women wore clothing made from several different pieces of fabric, dividing them into halves
or quarters. Each section was made out of a contrasting color. This popular
style also extended into the stockings and shoes as well.
Women wore a cotehardie beneath
their darker colored surcoat. The cote-hardie was a fitted dress with long
sleeves. The surcoat was a sleeveless over- dress.
In the 12th century the surcoat sides were opened to reveal the
fitted undergarment. The church objected, however, to the new style stating it was too
revealing.
Along with the jeweled cauls the
woman would wear a jeweled girdle (belt like) at her hips.
Her shoes were made
of a soft leather or fabric and had elongated toes. They were low cut and
buttoned or tied at the ankle. The shoes were often embellished with embroidery
and gems.
Hope you enjoyed that peek! Would you like to have been alive when these styles were in fashion? Imagine living without your jeans and flip-flops! Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for my book.
As a reminder, here's the book being given away:
Read more about this medieval romance, Sword of Forgiveness, on Amazon.
Debbie Lynne Costello has enjoyed
writing stories since she was about eight years old. She raised her family and
then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to
be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South
Carolina. She has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the
Children's Director. Debbie Lynne has shown and raised Shetland Sheepdogs for
eighteen years and still enjoys litters now and then. In her spare time, Debbie
Lynne enjoys camping and riding Arabian
and Tennessee Walking horses with her husband.
Women wore a cotehardie beneath
their darker colored surcoat. The cote-hardie was a fitted dress with long
sleeves. The surcoat was a sleeveless over- dress.
In the 12th century the surcoat sides were opened to reveal the
fitted undergarment. The church objected, however, to the new style stating it was too
revealing. Her shoes were made
of a soft leather or fabric and had elongated toes. They were low cut and
buttoned or tied at the ankle. The shoes were often embellished with embroidery
and gems.
