A Deeper Look at Medieval Clothing

A Deeper Look at Medieval Clothing



Medieval clothing, as we all know, are what the people from the 5th to the 15th century wore. But there is more to it than just being their clothing, it actually determines their status in the society.

During the Middle Ages, the pyramid of power, the medieval feudal system, dictated everything. The medieval feudal system followed this hierarchical order: The Pope, The King, Nobles, Knights, Archbishop,âEUR¨Freemen,âEUR¨Yeomen, Servants, Peasants, Villains, Bondsmen and Slaves. With this feudal system, the people dress according to their rank in the society so that they can be identified and at the same time be differentiated.
Medieval clothing for the peasants was commonly made of rough wool, linen or sheepskin. The color of their clothes usually varies from brown, red or gray. Men wore knee-length tunics secured with a belt or a rope that commonly carry their tools and a linen or woolen shirt. Women on the other hand, wore long dresses made of wool and linen undergarments. During the winter season, peasants use the help of mittens, cloaks and woolen hats to prevent themselves from the extreme coldness.

On the other hand, there is a more alluring side of the medieval clothing; that is the clothes that the noble and the royalties wore. These medieval clothing were made of velvets, furs, silks, lace, cottons or taffeta which customarily has bright colors. For the noble men and women, their clothes were layered. Men wore trousers covered with bliaud (referred to as a long belted overtunic), tabards (referred to as a short coat, either sleeveless or with short sleeves or shoulder pieces) and long cloaks. Women wore underclothes, underskirts made of silk or linen, long gowns made of velvets, furs, silks, lace, cottons or taffeta, bliaud, surcoat (referred to as a coat worn over other garments or the outer garment) all covered with full-length mantels. Bliauds for noblemen were ankle-length with a slit on the sides. For the noblewomen, bliauds were floor-length with fitted torso and wide sleeves.

Footwear was another thing during the middle ages. The upper class had leather shoes while the lower class had wooden clogs or thick cloths as their footwear.

Headdress, hats or crowns also play a big role in the medieval clothing. Like the clothes, headdress determines their status in the society. Furthermore, headdresses evolved as the years passed, adding jewelries and precious stones on it.
Medieval clothing for the upper class was a luxury. Tailors and seamstress were at hand to provide them with clothes of the right fit and the best materials. Unfortunately, medieval clothing for the lower class was a necessity. They could only afford to have at least one set of clothing with the least kind of material.