The Renaissance was marked by the greatest works of art, masterpieces of architecture, the development of medicine and science, many inventions and inspiration for several future generations. Then fashion did not stay away from the luxurious style. "Renaissance" - this is exactly what the word "revival" sounds in French. This term was used by Florentine poets, artists, connoisseurs of antiquity.
The luxurious Renaissance style in clothes replaced the boring Gothic and practical outfits of the Middle Ages. Europe strove for changes in cultural and social life. Europeans began to revive the ancient ideal of a harmonious and beautiful person. The Renaissance style in the clothes of men and women was distinguished by perfection and harmony. We suggest you plunge into a very interesting Renaissance, get acquainted with its fashion, as well as the modern features of clothes of this style.
Renaissance fashion history
So, in the XV-XVI century, the Renaissance began in Europe, everything came out of medieval hibernation: painting, music, fashion. Forgotten antiquity became popular again. Europeans began to study new sciences, become interested in the capabilities of the human body. The main aspects of the new fashion, they took symmetry and harmony.
Renaissance clothing took its roots in Italy. Then this style spread to France. This is not surprising, because the Roman Empire was previously in Italy. Florence has become the cradle of Renaissance clothing for women and men. The Renaissance period has changed a lot, great importance was given to the body. It must be beautiful, like a spirit. Clothing was supposed to emphasize the real proportions of the human body.
Female beauty then had its canons and ideals. High-growth girls with wide shoulders, a thin waist, white teeth, red lips, noble movements and a stately figure became fashionable. Although the waist was appreciated thin, but excessive thinness was not recognized. Preference was given to a magnificent body and a magnificent breast.
Italians then came up with a fashion for blondes. The ideal of female beauty was blond curls, which many fashionistas sought to get. Beauties resorted to various methods to achieve a light hair tone. It was then that wigs from bright yellow hair extensions came into fashion. It has become fashionable to weave coral and pearl strings into the hair. Also, hairstyles were covered with special nets and capes.
In the Renaissance, it was fashionable to open the forehead, not to cover it with hair. But the wide, thick eyebrows were not fashionable, they were plucked by both men and women. Cosmetics were widely used, there were even whole rules for applying makeup on the face. Makeup was natural, emphasized the natural beauty of man.
In the fashion were thick, delicate, long and wavy hair with a touch of gold or copper. Long slender legs, smooth rounded chest lines were appreciated.
Features of the Renaissance fashion
Simplicity and elegance burst into the female fashion of the Renaissance. The main feature was the perfection of forms. Medieval clothing was rude and shapeless, Gothic was layered, and the new was feminine. Such outfits needed magnificent forms, an impressive bust, a stately figure and broad shoulders. The deep free-form neckline was very popular, which was very popular with the opposite sex.
The gloomy shades in clothes were replaced by bright colors and saturated patterns. Among the ornaments, preference was given to geometric patterns with curls, embroidery of grapevines, patterns of leaves. To perform the patterns used shiny threads, ribbons. A spectacular golden embroidery was created.
If in Gothic lace and silk ribbons were preferred, the Renaissance showed a richer decor. They emphasized fur upholstery, embroidery with shiny threads, precious stones. The styles stood out moderation and symmetry, which was associated with harmony and perfection. The belt was placed strictly at the waist - not higher, not lower. High hats, sleeves, elongated corners, pointed pointed necklines of dresses, pointed long shoes have been replaced by a holistic look of the outfit.
From fabrics, silk, velvet, and brocade were preferred. It was not easy for tailors to cope with the cut and drape of these hard-to-sew materials. Proportions during the Renaissance were highlighted. The skirt and bodice should look harmonious, and the style should emphasize certain parts of the female body.
Renaissance Women's Clothing
Several dresses made up a women's costume. The girl had an upper and lower dress with long sleeves. The upper dress (gamurra) was distinguished by wide sleeves, sometimes with slits. In Florence, high-quality cloth fabrics were then produced, which were distributed throughout all European countries.
The Renaissance dress was distinguished by its volume, wide symmetrical folds, a harmonious bodice and skirt, as well as proportionality. The bodice of the dress had an oval neckline and was laced up. Women's dresses were richly decorated with embroidery, expensive lace, and fur trim. To emphasize the wealth of the lady, special cuts were made on the sleeves of the dress to demonstrate underwear.
The characteristic features of men's clothing of the glorious era
During the Renaissance, it was fashionable for young people and dandies to wear short suits. They were based on antique tunics, only sleeves and decorative details were added to them. It has become fashionable to use rounded symmetrical folds. The suit was no lower than the knee, sometimes shorter. They put on special pants, stockings, which were sewn from fabrics of different colors.
Men of those early years also wore long raincoats with embroidered sleeves and a high collar. Over time, such cloaks became emblems for the elderly and scientists. Nowadays, such wraps are used at universities for graduation and other celebrations. Indeed, it is precisely the era of the Renaissance that we owe the appearance of the intelligentsia - doctors, scientists, lawyers.
Fashionable eclectic mix of Renaissance style in contemporary outfits
Renaissance style provides for the revival of femininity. Savings recede into the background, and ladies seek to emphasize their forms and attract the attention of men. Our contemporaries also use some features of the Renaissance for sewing clothes. This style is especially suitable for modeling graduation and wedding dresses. The fashionable attributes of the Renaissance after six centuries again become desirable objects.
On the fashion catwalks, you can see models where the Renaissance style and sports elements are crossed in clothes. Especially like this combination of Renaissance bikers in brocade dresses with modern embroideries. Modern designers have learned to mix elements of the most opposite in spirit eras and fashion trends. They put in their models not only fabric, but also a deep history. These outfits add personality.
Maximum decor
It was six centuries ago that fashion was scientifically detailed. Books appeared, which accurately indicated how to dress and make up. Today, fabrics with gold and silver threads, floral ornaments, and original embroidery are in fashion again. It is again fashionable to embroider clothes manually with flowers and use decor from expensive lace. Some fashion houses produce velvet coats, dark green or wine-colored capes.
Features of the sleeves of the Renaissance style in the clothes of modern beauties
One more characteristic element of that era in modern outfits is considered to be upward-extended sleeves. Often they are made removable. This allows you to wear different sleeves with one jacket or jacket. In the latest fashion collections, cotton blouses with hypertrophied fluffy sleeves were found.
Using jackets
It is very fashionable today to create wide sleeves in jackets. To do this, they are cut along or across to demonstrate a shirt made of the thinnest fabric - kamichchu. The cuts are fastened near the elbows with buttons or ribbons. Also in fashion today are combined jackets with a high waist.
Fashionable platforms
And what shoes are borrowed from those distant times? Of course, models on the platform. During the Renaissance, the Venetian courtesans wore shoes on a high platform, so as not to wet the hem of the dresses. So it was convenient for them to walk along the dirty streets of cities. Once these shoes were called socles and chopins. They were considered a symbol of greatness and beauty.
Today, models show shoes and sandals on a 12-centimeter platform in patent leather or velvet. It is also fashionable to decorate similar shoes with original embroidery.