Renaissance Clothing Patterns

According to many historians, the Renaissance, which was a cultural revolution, originated in Florance, Italy, in the 14th Century AD, Late Middle Ages. This cultural revolution which virtually changed many aspects of the European society like the daily way of life, architectural styles, method and way of writing, thinking and speaking, and of course, the trends of clothing and fashion. The Renaissance clothing patterns, aimed at modernizing, changing and enhancing the way in which the people dressed at those times. As the revolution originated in Italy, the initial phases of Renaissance are often titled as the Italian Renaissance.

The first significant Renaissance clothing patterns that dominated the fashion scene, first appeared in the shops of Via de' Tornabuoni, Florence, Italy. Paris may be the fashion capital of the modern era, but Florence is certainly it's birthplace.

Medieval Renaissance Clothing
Renaissance clothing patterns are characterized by many different innovations that tailors and artisans made in the style of clothing. The changes in the political and socio-economic scenes in Europe, played a leading role in the change of the people's outlook regarding clothing and patterns. Legendary artist and Renaissance painter Leonardo Da Vinci has depicted a change in the women Renaissance clothing patterns in many of his paintings. The nobility and the rich often could afford the services of the finest tailors, who made for them the most fashionable clothes. While the poor on the other hand made use of contemporary dressing pattern, which was pretty simple. The difference is high lighted in the two paintings, Lady with an Ermine and the world famous Mona Lisa. The subject of the Mona; Madam Lisa Lisa del Giocondo, was a home maker and wife of a silk merchant, preferred to wear simple clothes, which were similar to the ones that were worn by the women in the pre-Renaissance era. On the other hand, Cecilia Gallerani, was the subject of the painting Lady with an Ermine, who was a member of the household of Ludovico Sforza, Noble Duke of Milan, was a patron of Renaissance fashion and clothing. She is seen in a very fashionable attire in the painting. To know more about the Renaissance clothing and paintings you may read more on renaissance paintings.

Renaissance Clothing Patterns
Throughout the Reminiscence the most striking feature of clothing was a rise in the height and size of the ruff. Elizabeth the first, was the most noted ambassador of this fashion. Modern fashion designers have integrated the 'rise in the ruff' phenomenon. Many manufacturers of fashionable clothing produce a limited range of Elizabethan outfits, where the rise in the ruff is prominently seen.

Have you ever wondered about the history of fashion catalog? Here's some food for thought, the first one appeared in 1590's. This fashion catalog was actually a book titled Leonfeldner Schnittbuch. This book was a combination of guide and catalogs of the tailors. Some of the Renaissance clothing patterns, unique to the time period, have been elaborately described in the books. Diagrams, such as the one depicting neck holes of the clothing or the ones depicting the triangular sleeve cut out have been beautifully pictured in the book.

The most significant among all the Renaissance clothing patterns is the fabric high ruff. This type of ruff was a very dominant fashion during the Renaissance. Some limited number of dresses and costumes are still manufactured using this kind of ruff.

• Blackwork Embroidery: The blackwork as the name suggests is done with the help of black thread. Clothes with this type of blackwork embroidery is very rarely available.
• Coif: The coif was a type of hat that not only covers the top of the head, but it also covers the ears. The modern military Beret is a derivation of Coif.
• Doublet: The Doublet is a very nice jacket that often comes down till the knee. The doublet is a very popular attire for guys at Renaissance theme parties.
• Hose: Probably the first ever trouser, the hose is a tight fitting pant. Later on, the hose was replaced by clothing such as breeches and stockings.

To know more about Renaissance clothing you may read more on:

• Renaissance Clothing
• Medieval Clothing Patterns
• Italian Art

The Renaissance clothing patterns are studied by many fashion designers even today. These clothing patterns have indirectly influenced the way we dress today. Many of these clothing patterns and clothes are manufactured and used even today. Modern fashion designers are also fusing together the fashion trends of today and the trends of Renaissance.