Summary: Dress of the Poor
Key dates:
In 1580 Robert Payne distinguished 3 main classes
·Comfortably off, who were given to husbandry
·Kern or soldiers
·The very idle people of pure complexion and good constitution of bodie.
Wool was the main fabric used for tunics and jackets which were tied at the waist with a plaited belt. These had rolled collars and wide, funnel shaped sleeves. Colours were brown, light blue and fawn.
None wore trews and only a few had brogues (shoes).
The poor woman wore a loose smock with apron, mantle and a head covering. If she was wearing a mantle and, on her head, a linen roll, she had some status in her society.
War and famine led to a deterioration in the standard of clothing for those who were self sufficient. Some even had to go almost naked, covered only by a mantle.
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