I. Thesis Statement: Throughout the Elizabethan Era, clothing was used to establish the social class of men and women, to exhibit various styles of dress, and to show one’s interests through distinctive jewelry.
II. During her reign, Queen Elizabeth authorized multiple sumptuary laws regarding the designs and materials used in her subjects’ clothing so that one may easily distinguish the diverse social rankings.
A. These laws also filled the purpose of prohibiting “[the queen’s subjects] from wasting huge amounts of money on clothes” (“Daily Life”).
1. Dyes and materials were rare and costly to make, therefore causing them to be unaffordable for the poverty-bound citizens (“Daily Life”).
a. However, as the working class’ earnings were advancing, …show more content…
While her subjects believed that their payment development was a great achievement, Queen Elizabeth expected that this situation would create turmoil throughout the social classes (“Stubbes on Ruffs”).
2. Just as other citizens, the upper class and members of the royal court were also required to abide by these laws (“Daily Life”).
a. Colors such as purple and red along with materials such as gold cloth, silk, and satin were authorized for the wealthy. (“Daily Life”).
B. “Punishment for wearing clothing prohibited by the sumptuary laws was a fine or worse” and the queen, being “the highest-ranking person in the nation”, could personally make the decision of the retribution (“Daily Life”).
1. Middle and lower class citizens were not permitted to wear the costly materials that of the upper classes.
a. Considering their punishment, it was more appropriate for the working class to dress simply and/or for their employment (“Stubbes on …show more content…
These undergarments were all used to exaggerate the shape of the skirt and body (“Dress”).
2. The dress itself was formed in layers by covering hoops of wicker with the skirt (“Dress”).
a. Additional material, jewels and patters concluded the final gown.
b. One particular accessory used was a headdress, consisting of a dark, loose material draped over the head to shape the face.
B. Although there were always set styles during the Elizabethan Era, clothing for different people “displayed great variety in size, shape, and method of wearing” (“Dress”).
1. While women in England preferred V-shaped dresses and accessories, women in other countries, such as Spain, preferred bell-shaped components (“Dress”).
2. A common decoration for most countries, though, was a thin band of material called a ruff collar that was placed around the neck (“Stubbes on Ruffs”).
IV. In addition to clothing, jewelry was also an accessory used to exhibit the interests of its owners.
A. The “artistic value [of jewelry] was far greater than the intrinsic value of their materials” therefore creating the common belief that the possession of imaginative and original jewelry meant wealth and authority
II. During her reign, Queen Elizabeth authorized multiple sumptuary laws regarding the designs and materials used in her subjects’ clothing so that one may easily distinguish the diverse social rankings.
A. These laws also filled the purpose of prohibiting “[the queen’s subjects] from wasting huge amounts of money on clothes” (“Daily Life”).
1. Dyes and materials were rare and costly to make, therefore causing them to be unaffordable for the poverty-bound citizens (“Daily Life”).
a. However, as the working class’ earnings were advancing, …show more content…
While her subjects believed that their payment development was a great achievement, Queen Elizabeth expected that this situation would create turmoil throughout the social classes (“Stubbes on Ruffs”).
2. Just as other citizens, the upper class and members of the royal court were also required to abide by these laws (“Daily Life”).
a. Colors such as purple and red along with materials such as gold cloth, silk, and satin were authorized for the wealthy. (“Daily Life”).
B. “Punishment for wearing clothing prohibited by the sumptuary laws was a fine or worse” and the queen, being “the highest-ranking person in the nation”, could personally make the decision of the retribution (“Daily Life”).
1. Middle and lower class citizens were not permitted to wear the costly materials that of the upper classes.
a. Considering their punishment, it was more appropriate for the working class to dress simply and/or for their employment (“Stubbes on …show more content…
These undergarments were all used to exaggerate the shape of the skirt and body (“Dress”).
2. The dress itself was formed in layers by covering hoops of wicker with the skirt (“Dress”).
a. Additional material, jewels and patters concluded the final gown.
b. One particular accessory used was a headdress, consisting of a dark, loose material draped over the head to shape the face.
B. Although there were always set styles during the Elizabethan Era, clothing for different people “displayed great variety in size, shape, and method of wearing” (“Dress”).
1. While women in England preferred V-shaped dresses and accessories, women in other countries, such as Spain, preferred bell-shaped components (“Dress”).
2. A common decoration for most countries, though, was a thin band of material called a ruff collar that was placed around the neck (“Stubbes on Ruffs”).
IV. In addition to clothing, jewelry was also an accessory used to exhibit the interests of its owners.
A. The “artistic value [of jewelry] was far greater than the intrinsic value of their materials” therefore creating the common belief that the possession of imaginative and original jewelry meant wealth and authority