The First Body Coverings
           consisted of fur and animal skins, which were simply draped around the 
           body. Early men then discovered that sharp bones could be used as 
           needles, and animal sinews or stripes of leather as thread, and so the first
           clothes were fashioned.  

In The Bronze Age,
       men learned how to make cloth from the wool of sheep and goats. Linen 
           was also made from the flax plant. The clothes were very simple in
           design and usually consisted of a loose tunic, belted around the waist. 
           Bronze age men wore leather breeches, tied in a criss-cross pattern,
           with simple cloaks of coarse wool across their shoulders. Bronze Age
           women wore belted woollen tunics over kirtles or underdresses. Blankets
           were used as simple cloaks.

The Ancient Britons 
       become more skilled at spinning, weaving, and dyeing, and by the time 
           of the Roman conquest of Britain fine cloth was being made. Britain 
           chiefs wore bright clothes to make them look important, and class 
           distinction in style of dress was already apparent. Tunic-like costumes
           were still worn but men covered their tunics and breeches with hooded 
           cloaks, while women used to drape blankets over their shoulders. Shoes
           were worn by this time, either moccasins or sandals.

In The Age Of Saxons,
      rough woollens and linens continued to be used for clothes, but rich 
          people wore cloaks and tunics embroidered in gold thread and trimmed 
          with ermine and squirrel fur. Saxon tunics had long,tight,wrinkled sleeves.
          These could be pulled down to keep the hands warm if necessary.  

After The Norman Conquest,
      the differences between the dress of the wealthy and the poor became
          more apparent. The rich wore well-fitting,brightly coloured garments 
          made from fine wool, linen, and silk, but the peasants still wore loose 
          clothes which were dull in colour and made from heavy wool or canvas.

In The Twelfth And Thirteenth Centuries,
          men's clothes became shorter and the tunic and outer coat (surcote) were
          slit up the front to make walking and riding easier. Cloaks with small,
          closely fitting caps or hoods were popular. Loose-fitting underpants 
          called braides were worn either with or without stockings. Gloves were 
          introduced during this period. Women wore long kirtles with trains that
          would sweep the floor. Their heads were covered with veils, and wimples
          were draped under their chins and fastened above the ears. Rich ladies 
          might choose to wear their hair in long plaits, braided with ribbon, and 
          use make-up to enhance their looks. Clothes during this period were simple,
          functional, and often quite severe in line.

During The Fourteenth And Fifteenth Centuries,
          dress became more colourful and extravagant. Rich men wore long gowns 
          with wide sleeves, or short, pleated top-coats edged with fur. It became 
          fashionable to pad out the chest and pull the waist in tightly with a belt. 
          Coloured stockings were worn, and long pointed shoes. Poor peolpe still 
          dressed in rough, belted tunics and wore clogs or thick shoes. The 
          capuchon was a head-dress worn by both rich and poor. It consisted of a
          short cape and hood, and could be worn with a tunic or cloak. Ladies of 
          this period wore long, full dresses and underdresses. Their head-dresses 
          were tall and very elaborate. Pointed hats, with a fur roll around the
          crown or a long veil, were popular. Peasant women wore long, simple 
          dresses with either a hood or a wimple and vei. During this period laws 
          were passed to forbid poor people to wear bright colours, fur, jewels 
          and fine cloth, and so the difference in dress between rich and poor
          became more pronounced.

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Last updated: March 3, 1998.