Travelling Clothes about 1250 (left)

By 1250 men's and women's tunics were cut with a wide upper sleeve. Most men, except the elderly, preferred tunics short. Cloaks were usually held by a cord at the shoulder. A variety of loose over-gowns were also popular, and these had sleeves with two openings, allowing them to hang loosely like the university gowns based on them and still seen today.

The woman's plaits are coiled in a bun at each ear sometimes covered with a net, and the flat headband is kept in place by a veil or 'wimpole' drawn closely under the chin.                 

Right: Lady wearing a henin (14th century)

Day clothes about 1300

The young man (left) is wearing a shorter tunic and pointed shoes. These shoes were characteristic of the 14th century and were called crackowes or poulaines, and are believed to have derived from Poland. The length of the toe was said to indicate the rank of the wearer and became more and more exaggerated by the end of the 14th century.

Right: Ladies c. 1346

Man's Day Clothes about 1430

This early Renaissance man (left)
wears rich clothes. His carefully made, fur-trimmed tunic is pleated onto a lining and has baggy sleeves with the embroidered shirt showing at neck and wrists. His hood is worn as a 'chaperon' ( a beret-like hat), with his head through the shoulder opening while the remainder is twisted decoratively out of the way. He wears a heavy, jewelled collar and belt which is useful for holding his pouch and dagger.
Weavers of the day were highly skilled, and much richly patterned silk and velvet was made in Flanders and Italy.

Lady's Day Dress about 1490

This lady (left) of about 1490 wears a rich gown of thick material brocaded with gold. This line foreshadows the severe styles of the court of the early Tudors, with a low waist and high neckline. Her skirt has a train but is pinned up at the back  for convenience when walking and to show off the fur lining. Her sleeves are in a new fashion, funnel shaped, and faced with fur.

She wears a hood, with cape dangling like a curtain, front turned up and stiffened, and worn over a wired and jewelled undercap almost concealing her scraped back hair. Her shoes have very broad toes. Materials are rich and heavy, many imported from Flanders and Italy.

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