Medieval men’s clothing was designed to reflect the class and social standing of men and thus it was different for people of different social classes. For instance, medieval men’s clothing reserved for the nobility was forbidden to the common people. The clothes also underwent several changes during different eras in the medieval times.
During the early medieval times, various traditional styles in medieval men’s clothing were used. This included trousers which were worn under a short tunic and sometimes used with a small cloak. Leggings were also traditionally used and worn in pairs. During the middle and late medieval times, medieval men’s clothing also underwent the same changes that women’s clothing did. Clothes became better fitting and use of lavish garments became increasingly common.
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Just like medieval women’s clothing, the Sumptuary Laws restricted the lower classes from wearing the same clothes as nobility. Clothes became a symbol of status and social standing and certain materials and styles were exclusively reserved for the nobility. According to these laws, colour of purple, cloth of gold tissue, and fur of sables were reserved only for the royal family.
Various types of medieval men’s clothing gained popularity during different eras of medieval times. During the early medieval times, there was not much distinction between the clothes of nobility and the common people. During the middle medieval times, shortened tunics gained popularity while cloaks and trousers continued to be used. During the late medieval times, medieval men’s clothing styles increasingly included slit up front, sleeves, and girdles.
Colour had a central significance in the styles of medieval men’s clothing. For instance, gold colour represented virtue and prestige and purple colour stood for majesty. During the Elizabethan Era, styles also reflected social standing. Important components of style of medieval men’s clothing during the late medieval times included a knee length and close-fitting gipon, cote-hardie with elaborate sleeves, and a pointed cowl in place of traditional hoods.
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The Sumptuary Laws had maintained a clear distinction between medieval men’s clothing for peasants and nobility. Peasants usually wore uncomfortable coarse clothes made of sheepskin or wool. The blouse of cloth or skin was fastened at the waist and overcoat of thick wool was also used. Peasants also used short woolen trousers and large boots.
Various fashions and styles prevailed in medieval men’s clothing for the nobility. During early medieval times, classical styles from the Roman and Greece era dominated medieval fashion. During the middle and late medieval times, however, class consciousness began to be reflected in clothing. During this era, precious stones as well as gold and silver became to be increasingly used in medieval men’s clothing for the nobility.
Medieval men’s clothing, just like women’s clothing, underwent changes during different eras of the medieval times. Clothes were relatively simple during the early medieval times but became elaborately designed and lavish during the middle and late medieval times. Strict distinction was also maintained between medieval men’s clothing for nobility and peasants.
We hope you found this article medieval men’s clothing factual and informative if you like to learn more about other medieval clothing as well as men’s medieval clothing please look at the articles listed at the bottom of this medieval men’s clothing page which will take you directly to some interesting medieval clothing pages.