Clothing

[Mrs. Peel]

In the medieval period, just as today, you could find clothing of different styles. However, the largest variety of styles in the medieval period was generally found with the upper class and the very wealthy who could afford to make the fashion statements. In short, ones class determined the variety of clothing that was worn. Essentially, the more money you had, the better you could dress.

For the peasant, the garb was basic and simple. The outer clothing was commonly made of wool with undergarments of linen. As one would expect, the wool garments were hot, heavy and itchy, but fortunately, the linen undergarments made the wool a bit more comfortable. The undergarments were laundered, but it was rare to wash the outer garments. While one might think this would serve to create a rather pungent society, such was not necessarily the case. Though the peasants worked very hard, frequently at manual labor, they also spent a great deal of time around open fires and smoke. The smoke permeated their clothes and acted as a natural deodorant reducing the odors. In the winter and colder months, cloaks, mittens and woolen hats were worn as protection from the elements. Shoes were worn, but were often a luxury. Leather boots could be found among the peasants, but it was not uncommon for peasants to go without shoes. Along with their woolen dresses, women often wore simple caps.

Among the peasants, the wool was generally shorn from the sheep and spun into the thread for the cloth by the women in the family. Surprisingly enough, dyes were somewhat common, so even the lower class peasants frequently wore colorful clothing that they dyed themselves.

The clergy also had their own style of dress which could be more ornate depending on the position of the clergy. A simple friar at a small parish would have simple woolen robes and perhaps a rope belt and simple shoes while clergy at larger churches sometimes dressed more ornately. However, the basic style of clothing, robes with belt, was a constant. You could identify the order of the clergyman by the color of robe that was worn.

The nobility and upper class was home to the true fashion of the day. Though fashion changed with the times, there were a number of constants. While still made of wool, wealth meant brighter colors, more flare and a better grade of material. Men wore tunics or jackets with hose, leggings and breeches. The women wore flowing gowns and elaborate headdresses. The wealthy could also be seen wearing furs or jewelry, though the art of cutting gems had not developed significantly, so the stones were of lesser quality. As the period developed, the clothing became more fitted and was often adorned with silver or other metals. The wealthiest could afford silk and fine leather for belts and other accessories. It was also common for knights to have sleeveless coats adorned with elaborate coats of arms though their other dress fit their station in life.