The Elizabethan era was an extraordinarily fashion era for both man and women, a time when everything was changing from the fifteenth century simple dress to extravagant and dramatic styles which we call Elizabethan fashion. At that time, new styles, modern yet unique fabrics, charm colors, sharp design and glamor silhouette were evolving. Every layer and piece of Elizabethan outfit was equally important, from the fancy dress to the smallest details. Definitely, the Elizabethan era was the time of beauty and fascination. In fact, during the Elizabethan time clothing reflects mood, values and the person’s statue in the society. So fashion at that time was the primary indicator of one’s social statue and the differences in styling between upper class and lower class were noticeable and very easy distinguished, in terms of fabric, colors, and design.

During the Elizabethan time period, in order to understand a person’s life style including clothes, we must first understand how the society at that time worked. The Elizabethan society was divided into three classes, first upper class including nobles and royalty, second middle class or hard-working class, and finally lower class or peasants. The availability of fabrics, colors, and designs were extremely limited for lower class compared to upper class who has unlimited access to a variety of expansive fabrics and colors. These divisions in clothing were stated in the Sumptuary Laws or also known as the Statutes of Apparel to ensure that specific class structure was maintained. Moreover, anyone violated these laws faced penalties, which were fines, loss of property, and sometimes even capital punishment.

The Sumptuary Laws

During Elizabethan time people were not allowed to wear whatever cloths they liked. However, their clothes were dictated by Sumptuary laws which Queen Elizabeth fully supported. This law controls and governs the materials, fabrics, colors, and designs of clothing for each class and provide a set of rules to the citizens about what they could and could not wear. The main purpose of these laws is to limit the amount of money the citizen would spend on clothes, and other unnecessary expansive items that they don’t need. Also, by providing such laws it will maintain the social structure and division between classes.

Some rules!

Purple silk and sable fur: For the royal family ( the Queen, King, and their family members).

Velvet: For only the highest nobility: dukes, marquises, and earls.

Tinseled cloth: For the nobility including viscounts and barons.

Gold, silver, or pearl embroidery: Reserved for dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, barons, and Knights of the Garter.

Lynx and civet cat fur: For the above ranks, and the wives of men who can dispend 100 by the year.

Enameled buttons, chains, etc.: For the above nobility, and wives of barons' sons, and wives of knights.

Silk, satin, and damask: For the above, and knights' daughters.