14th century fashions with special reference to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

Abstract

During the last few centuries, women's clothing occupied a foremost position with their everchanging, colourful fashions which are often extravagant, thus overshadowing man's apparel. However l4c., masculine fashions equalled if not surpassed female ones in their gaudy colours and elaborate head-gear, clothing and footwear, not to mention the lavish use of ornaments. This century shows a great revolution in fashion most probably initiated by Piers Gavestori, a foppish favourite of King Edward II. The king himself was no dandy yet many innovations were effected during his reign. Clothes began to cling more closely to the figure, a tendency which was increased by the use of finer fabrics, and the style was rather similar to the prevailing Gothic architecture with its detailed complex patterns, bright colours and sharp angles. This change was promoted by communications with various countries and especially later through Richard II's international court culture. Unlike his predecessor Richard himself was a leader of fashion and therefore as Fairhold says "the freaks or everchanging fashion were as varied as the whims of the King-himself the greatest fop". His tastes in books, exotic cooking and fashion which was aided by the services or a highly efficient tailor - Walter Raute, effected his whole court. There were rapid developments in dress and the costs rose to immense heights as Whole fortunes were invested in clothes, very often leaving the owner penniless. Hoccleve ridiculed this in The Regiment of Princes " For though he strut forth among the press, And look down on every poor wight, His coffer and his purse are penniless, He hath no more then he walks in right." Consequently these expensive garments were handed down from father to son. Both men and women considered yellow hair, a white skin and red rosy cheeks to be the ideal beauty, therefore nature was often aided by dyes were rather popular.