History: Elizabethan Fashion

The Elizabethan era (1558-1603) was an extremely fashion conscious time. Both men and women wanted to look elaborate and striking. The overall look desired by all was a small waist, with emphasis on the shoulders and hips to create this illusion. Upper class clothing consisted of many pieces made of heavy, layered fabrics and ribbing which were confining and unpractical. Lower class styles imitated the upper class but with more simplicity and practicality. Fashion changed when Queen Elizabeth I became queen because royalty often set trends, and she especially was a fashion icon. What people wore then showed their status not just because it was easy to distinguish between rich and poor but because what material and colors everyone wore was decided by law.