| During the Renaissance, the wealthier and more | | | | velvet, silk and brocade. At the time, each of |
| prosperous members of a city, town or region | | | | these was labor intensive and/or produced a |
| often wore elaborate and highly-decorated | | | | great distance away from Western Europe, such |
| renaissance clothing that was hand crafted from a | | | | as in Egypt for cotton. Rich finishes such as |
| variety of rich and expensive fabrics and finishes. | | | | ribbons, seed pearls and golden / silver thread |
| In fact, the richer a family was the more | | | | were also liberally embroidered on the |
| expensive and ornate their Renaissance clothing | | | | Renaissance clothing of the day. |
| was, as this was one of the primary ways of | | | | During the period Renaissance clothing for women |
| indicating stature and wealth during the | | | | ebbed and flowed from simpler pieces, such as |
| Renaissance period (from the 14th to the middle | | | | underskirts, bodices and robes, to more complex |
| of the seventeenth century). | | | | clothing that included skirts, underskirts, bodices, |
| Interestingly enough, as there was little | | | | over-bodices, hoops and collars. Men's Renaissance |
| opportunity for financial investment, the | | | | clothing on the other hand, was often designed to |
| Renaissance clothing of the ruling classes was not | | | | accentuate the body shape, providing them with a |
| only seen as indication of wealth, but a form of | | | | more rounded look (along the lines of a barrel). |
| investment. If a family were to require money in | | | | Made out of the same rich colors and fabrics, |
| the future, the clothing could be resold.The fabrics | | | | their renaissance clothing often included padded |
| that the wealthy and their designers favored | | | | shoulders and breeches, as well as hats, |
| during the Renaissance were fabrics that were | | | | embellished with the same embroidery and fancy |
| the hardest to produce and therefore the most | | | | finishes that completed the Renaissance clothing |
| expensive and exclusive. This included cotton, | | | | of women. |