449 - 1500

the medieval period in england is classified as the time between the fall of the roman empire to the beginning of the renaissance, ranging from the years AD 449–1500. for the anglo-saxons, anglo-danes, normans and britons, clothing during the medieval era differed widely for men and women as well as for the social hierarchy. 

image from shinjihasegawa

the majority of records on women’s fashion during the medieval period come from the mid-fourteenth century onwards. around the year 1340 there was a change in women’s clothing, to tighter-fitting garments, lower necklines, and more curvaceous silhouettes.

clothing was over-lapped and tightly bound. the corset became a staple in a woman’s wardrobe, and the open surcoat, a garment with an open bodice and a skirt that trailed to the ground. in fact, by the end of the 14th century, the gown had replaced all garment items aside from the surcoat.

picture from tigerbomberx

the basic garments for women consisted of the smock, hose, kirtle, gown, surcoat, girdle, cape, hood, and bonnet.

Medieval skirt with apron

Medieval skirts

the development of the skirt was also significant for women’s medieval clothing because it provided more comfort and liberty for the women as opposed to the tightly bound outfits.

Medieval headdress

the headdress, in various forms culminating in the hennin was an important element in women's dress, often complicated arrangements of hair and fabric, sometimes including veils over the face or hanging behind the head.

for those interested in knowing how medieval men dressed, do hop over to wikipedia.

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