Gothic Clothing

By 1490 Gothic dress in northern Europe had given way to the simpler styles of Renaissance Italy. Soon, however, unusual things happened to fashion that reflected new directions in art (1520-1600). Sumptuary laws were decreed that commoners should wear clothing of only one color. To get around this new unpopular law, both men and women began slashing their clothes. Essentially this meant cutting open the outer surfaces of their garments to expose the contrasting color of the linings beneath. These linings would then be pulled through the cuts or "slashing" and puffed out to further emphasize the contrast. At first these slashing consisted of small, intricate patterns, but from 1600 to about 1650, slashing were longer and vertical in shape. Women's Gothic head dresses were replaced before 1500 by simple hoods. Men's hats were broad and some were trimmed with gems. This was the beginning of a recurring fashion phenomenon. Costume in Italy followed the international Gothic style of northern Europe until the mid-15th century. Dress then assumed a more natural appearance. The Renaissance Patterned fabrics, usually velvets and brocades, were more popular than materials of a single color from about 1480 to 1510. During this period of the Renaissance, Italian styles dominated European fashion. They also wore broad toed shoes and wide-brimmed caps. Women's clothing also emphasized breadth. From about 1510 to 1550 Germanic dress had the greatest influence on European fashion.

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