Glamour and beauty of Elizabeth’s time

The Elizabethan Era was a highly fashion- conscious age, and prized a look that was elaborate, artificial, stylized and striking. In the earlier parts of the sixteenth century, everything was changing in England. Everything from their Queens right down to fashion the fifteenths century was a time of simple styles, anything that would create a simple silhouette of a woman. Now things were evolving into the shapely and extravagant styles – commonly called as Elizabethan Fashion. There were some very small yet important items that must be worn to have proper Elizabethan outfit. Everything was equally important, all the way down to make up that was worn. During the Elizabethan times they had everything, specific outfits and accessories some more lavish items, according to classes. There were even some home remedies for some of the common beauty problems. Elizabethan times are times of glamour and beauty.

Elizabethan fashion was highly elaborate. Clothes were decorated with heavy embroidery and decorated with jewels, spangles and pearls. Clothes were designed with a layered approach requiring assistance in dressing from servants. Upper class fashion was tight, hot and uncomfortable. More comfortable loose garments, similar to housecoats, were worn when the nobility were not on show. Padding had a practical use as it was used to great effect on the top of sleeves. Sleeves were made separately from the bodice of gowns and tied or pinned together. The padding hid the pins. Pins were an essential part of Elizabethan fashion and used in great quantities on ruff- this lead to a lucrative pin making industry.

They began with an under gown, looking like a short cotton night gown. This was called a Chemise; it was one of the first items put on, after the stocking, shoes and jewellery and make up. Next would be the corset and bum roll. The corsets were worn to give a curvier look to the women. They would minimize the waist and enhance the chest. Also another thing used to enhance women’s figure was bum roll. It is round crescent shaped pad that is called a part let, a part let is confusing piece to put on, it covers both the front and back of the chest but it ties under the arms. Finally the overskirt and bodice and sleeves were put on. Some outside pieces were made of the finest silks and were often decorated. The two most important pieces were the corset and the farthingale.

PRAJAKTA KAVDE

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