MIDDLE AGE CLOTHING
Wool was worn by everyone during the Middle Ages with undergarments made of linen. Tailors were hired by the Aristocracy ( Kings, Queens, noblemen, noblewomen) and the wives of wealthy merchants. These two groups could afford more costly garments. Tailors would provide brighter colors and better materials to create the fashion of the day. These fabrics used by the tailors were burnet, pease, Lincoln scarlet, kersey, russet chalons, damask and sandal. From these fabrics came silk gowns and damask gowns which only the wealthy could afford
Most of the population; however, made their own clothing or simply were ill-fitting hand me downs because they didn’t have the money to purchase the goods. Women and girls wore shapeless dresses or kirtles with wide sleeves. Colors were plain; with shades of gray, brown, dark blue and red. Peasant women spun wool into the threads that were woven into the cloth for these garments. Men and boys wore trousers and a smock or tunic which was a stocking. The materials were mostly wool and linen. In cold weather, men and women wore hoods or caps with materials wrapped around them. Adults often cut down old clothes to make clothes for their children.
Another type of material was worn by the knights of the Middle Ages called mail. Mail was made from little chains linked together to make one suit of armor. Sometimes these suits took five years to finish. These suits cost a lot of money.
Toward the end of the Middle Ages, women wore long gowns and fancy headwear. The headdresses were shaped like hearts or butterflies and some wore tall pointed caps. Anyone could tell the order by the color of the outfit. The Benedicts wore black; the Cistercians wore plain wool or white.
The monks clothes should be plain but comfortable, and they were allowed to wear linen. Fur was often used to line the outfit the rich.
