16th Century Fashion For Women

16th century fashion for women signified the innovation of the Renaissance period. 16th century fashion was all about layering. Women’s clothing was made of linen and wool, sometimes velvet or silk. Black was the preferred fashion since it made a good backdrop for elaborate jewels and pearls. The base of a women’s dress in 16th century fashion was the kirtle, a snug skirt that fit the bodice with long sleeves. In the early century, kirtles were worn by themselves with a simple girdle. Girdles are similar to belts, but thicker and could be adorned with jewels and chains. Chemise was worn over the kirtles.

Spanish and Italian royalty would make a great impact on 16th century fashion across Europe. The strong influence of French and English fashion would come in the next century. By the mid century, long trains were out of style. Farthingales were introduced by the mid century, a product of the Spanish royal court. They were made of cage wiring and whalebone and would come to make skirts wide and bombastic looking, similar to crinoline of the mid-Victorian era. The up side of renaissance fashion of the mid period was the separation of kirtles and dresses with the chemise discarded. Sleeves became tight fitting from the wrist to the elbow with puffy sleeves, sometimes showing slits to reveal more fabric beneath the dress. This is the first stage of the leg of mutton sleeves which would become fashionable throughout European ladies fashion. The late period saw hemlines propped up by farthingales, revealing elaborate heels and slippers. Hairstyles did not come into play until the late 1500s. Before that time, women’s hair was covered by gabled hoods. For married women especially, it was not appropriate for other men to see her hair.