Medieval/Dark Ages 11-15 Century

I thought it would be best to document some things about Medieval fashion. The Silhouette for woman didn't change a lot of 100s of years. I didn't seem the be the sort of thing that people worried about; they were more worried about keeping there family alive and feed. Clothes were meant to be practical and wearable. 

The main thing that changed seems to be the fabrics the clothes were made of. Lighter fabrics for summer, heavier for winter with fur, wool and leather used most often. Edges of the fabric were often embodied for some decoration; designs were more ornate the higher in society you were. The further into the time you go the more fabrics became available and the more ties and buttons became used in garments. This helped to create long elegant waists.

Dresses in the beginning were mostly shapeless with long sleeves and a tunic on top. Often with a cord tie of some sort to nip in the waist. the later into the period you go the more fitted the dresses became with belts replacing the cords. Necklines were very high and often covered right up to the neck. They stayed like this until Henry VI when they started to creep down.
Shoes were made of soft leather. Head dresses and veils of different lengths were very popular to cover the head. The head pieces were often jewelled to so wealth and rank. During winter and travelling cloaks 
and furs were worn often tied with cord or held together with a broach.

As you head towards the Tudor fashion, waist lines seem to rise so the dresses are belted under the bust and become more gathered and floaty below. Head dresses become more decorative and complex. The most noticeable shape is the head shaped headdress called Atifets which you often see in films about this time period.

Basic Silhouettes

Fun facts:- Burgundian styles influenced the fashion. The longer the points, the higher the status. The women's headdresses were long and pointed. It was also fashionable to wear the high double horn headdresses. Burgundian were a East Germanic Tribe.

TV/ Film inspired by the period:-
White Queen series 2013, Brave Heart 1995, Knights Tale 2001, Ever After 1998, King Arthur 2004, Kingdom of Heaven 2005, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves 1991, Tristan and Isolde 2006, The Prince's Bride 1987, Ella Enchanted 2004, The Pillars of the Earth 2010, Robin Hood 2010.This time period is often when fairy tales were set like Sleeping Beauty and Snow White.

Key events: Battle of Hastings- William the Conquer.Battle of Standard- Invasion of the Scots. Crusade- Richard Lion Heart, Battle of Stirling Bridge- William Wallace, Battle of Bannockburn- Robert the Bruce, Black Death Arrived in London.

Points of reference:- 
http://www.lordsandladies.org/medieval-fashion.htm
Costume 1066-1990 by John Peacock my fave book on this.
http://home.comcast.net/~mathilde/embroidery/gallery/islgall.htm (embroidery)
http://www.osfcostumerentals.org/stock/Accessories/Hats/Women%27s%20Hats/Women%27s%20Renaissance%20Headwear/slides/11000796%20Headdress%20Medieval%20reticulated%20gold%20black%20with%20veil.html (headdresses)
Century facts My Dad :)