Medieval Clothing History

The Medieval Ages began around the 400's and lasted until about the 1500's. In the age people were bound. This meant that their lives were limited because they were not allowed to move out. The only time people moved was when there was a festival near by. This was the only time the people could look or buy different goods. It was also the only time that the people could attempt to trade for something they needed. Since the people’s lives were limited, they did not think to have a clothing trend. People made their clothes at home. Peasants usually wore a form of a long dress made of coarse wool. They might have a linen undergarment. There was almost no change in style at all.

In the early middle ages people wore fitted clothes replacing the loose, flowing cloaks and tunics. Women wore a tunic that turns into a dress and laced to fit the upper part of the body. Men started to wear loose undergarments called breeches under their tunics. In the late middle ages, some women wore veils, metal hairnets, and draped throat coverings called wimples. The wars at that time changed the medieval clothing to some extend. The style didn't change that much, but the fabrics used for clothing did. Some of the material used were silks, satin, and brocades. In the later times, the crusaders brought in some different styles. A tunic stayed the same, but hose took the main place, and were made prettier with jewels, embroidery, and fur trimming. The clothing of the middle ages was very comfortable. Men and women wore basically the same types of clothes, only men's clothing was shorter. That is the clothing of Medieval Times.