Summary: Clothes of Wealthy
Key dates:
The wealthy followed English fashions and some very luxurious gowns were worn in and around Dublin. Many of these were trimmed with fur. Men were even more ornately dressed than the women. In the second half of the 16th century men’s clothes had padded chests, small tight laced waist and their legs were covered in trunk hose or breeches and hose. They usually still wore a codpiece. After 1556 ruffs were worn. It was not until then that starch became available. By the end of the 16th century those who wished to appear English wore English fashions and used English cloth.
The portrait of Elizabeth Fitzgerald, who was the daughter of Garret Og, shows the English style again. The bodice was fitted and had stays. The skirt was bellshaped and later extended to cover a farthingale. The skirt was sometimes opened at the front in a triangle shape to show the underskirt. This was also made of a luxury fabric. The sleeves were fitted and there was a ruff.
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