| The Medieval Period or the Middle ages is the period | | | | fashions of other lands as well. She would import |
| of the European history from 5th to 15th century. A | | | | tailors from abroad, and she had patterns sent to other |
| number of remarkable events happened and led to | | | | countries and had sets of renaissance costume made |
| great and many contributions to our modern history. It | | | | to her size. |
| was an era of arts, music, religion, and politics. It was a | | | | Women tried hard to imitate her curly hair using |
| tough period for an average person at that time. They | | | | different dye recipes. False hair or wigs were also |
| had to fight and be strong to survive. People had to | | | | used to imitate her hair because it was easier to |
| resort to wearing any medieval costume to protect | | | | manage. For Queen Elizabeth, it was important for her |
| them from the heat and the cold. So dark and grim | | | | to maintain her image of the "Virgin Queen". Pure |
| was the time of the Middle Ages that it was also | | | | beauty was of light hair and snow white complexion, |
| known as the Dark Ages. | | | | with an admirable red lips and cheeks. |
| In spite of this, the medieval costume always had a | | | | Queen Elizabeth's contribution to the renaissance |
| special meaning. It played a significant role in the | | | | costume extended to the male garments as well. |
| symbol of social status in the society. The less | | | | Gentleman were seen in their most fashionable and |
| fortunate wore very simple and cheap fabrics while | | | | flashy outfits. They used rich fabrics, bands of |
| the wealthy showed off more elegant clothing. The | | | | contrasting colors and elaborate embroidery motifs to |
| medieval costume for Kings and Queens were very | | | | display the wealth and magnificence of their |
| expensive and boasted of magnificent silks and | | | | renaissance costume. They would sometimes wear |
| luxurious attire. | | | | girdles, the equivalent of the female corset, to obtain a |
| However, towards the end of the 16th century, the | | | | really thin look to their bodies. Doublets were worn to |
| fashion style took a dramatic transformation. This | | | | give emphasis on the shoulder and the hip area. |
| period was known as the Elizabethan period. This was | | | | Queen Elizabeth's wardrobe of renaissance costumes |
| because so much of the period was a result of | | | | was designed to impress. The renaissance dresses |
| Queen Elizabeth's influence and power. The Queen's | | | | were even used for very modest affairs. Clothing was |
| passion for art, music, and fashion brought the | | | | heavily ornamented with rich fabric using gold and |
| emergence of poets, artists, and writers. It attracted | | | | silver embroidery. It was hand embroidered with |
| the most talented individuals of the era. Learning was | | | | colored thread, and decorated with diamonds, rubies, |
| greatly encouraged that Oxford and Cambridge | | | | sapphires, and all kinds of jewels. |
| Universities were reorganized and were chartered as | | | | Fortunately, for Queen Elizabeth, she did not have to |
| centers for learning. | | | | sustain all the expenses on her own. People began to |
| Part of the renaissance costume was the hairstyles | | | | bring clothing to the Queen as a present to gain favor |
| which were generally short for men and frizzy swept | | | | from her. She received lavish renaissance costume |
| up look in a headdress called 'snood' covering the hair | | | | every year. As a matter of fact, Elizabeth's first pair of |
| with a wire forming a heart-shaped style for women. | | | | knitted silk stockings came to her as a gift on New |
| Queen Elizabeth was the Queen of international | | | | Year's Day. |
| fashion. She was exceedingly interested in the | | | | |