WOMEN:
Dresses- less restricting than before, skirts are layered and padded at the hips to give a flowing effect, top skirt-manteau- opens at the front with a train , high waistlines, large sleeves, lace cuffs, solid silks rather than patterns
Hair- tight curls on both sides of the head referred to as heartbreakers but hair styles later changed to higher fontages
Makeup- lips and cheeks are rouged, shaped face patches
Fragrance- people believed water was bad for the skins so to cover body odor people wore large amounts of perfume and carried scented purses
Shoes- pointed toes and high heels, simple compared to mens shoes during this time
Jewelry- simple, single strand of pearls or diamonds and occasionally ribbons
Men
Cavalier Style- puffy shirts with lace collars ( replaced with long lace ruffles called jabots) and cuffs , pants were below the knee and also puffy with a high waist ...pants later become heavily decorated and looked more like skirts
Shoes- knee high boots turned down with lace
Hats- wide brim with large feathers
Hair- long occasionally curled or even a wig
*Mens fashion yet had a 3rd change … pants became close fitting and buckled or buttoned at the knee and pantyhoes were worn underneath...long coats with braided and trimmed buttonholes with largre folded sleeves… jabots were overcome by scarf like steinkirks … THE LOOK VERY MUCH RESEMBLED CAPTAIN HOOK*
“Although the Baroque period was perhaps not as extravagant in the amount of decoration used as during the Renaissance, it was just as lavish in its display of wealth. Fine ribbon and lace replaced copious amounts of jewels. Elegant embroidery replaced methods such as
lashing and puffing. Rich silks replaced highly decorated fabrics. These patterns would continue into the following Rococo period.” - Abigail Westover, April 7th, 2012
How did the changing styles affect this time period?
“It was believed across France and the world that expensive, impractical, spotless, and often uncomfortable clothing was the absolute symbol of status”
“ Louis XIV chose fashion to control nobles by using it to consume their time and money and give them something to flaunt and be proud of. He himself was a great admirer of fashion and how it could make the body appear elegant and powerful, both symbolically and physically.”
How much would an average outfit cost?
“ The expense of these costumes came, mostly, from the difficulty in making the material and outfits, but every added comfort added cost.”