How Did Shakespeare Use Clothing In The Elizabethan Era

Elizabethan Clothing and Makeup
The Elizabethan Era was the time of Shakespeare, plays, and fashion. Clothing and fashion are destined to change every new decade or era and to be tied to their time. Fashion and clothing was a very crucial part of the Elizabethan era.
During the Elizabethan times, there were strict rules on what a person could or could not wear. These rules were based off a person's social and economic standing. These laws were called English Sumptuary laws . If violated, a person could lose land, be fined, lose their title, or even their life (Elizabethan sumptuary laws). The upper class was able to wear the most loquacious and elegant colors and designs. The trimming of cloaks, robes, and dresses were also assigned to
The innermost layer of an outfit was the hose. A hose is broken into two parts: upper and nether. The upper part were just breeches. The most popular style was the ‘trunk’ hose; short full breeches ending half way down the thigh (Elizabethan Men and Their Dress). To emphasize their waists even more, men wore girdles. Some men stored their money or purses inside of the girdles. Young men wore a cloak instead of wearing a gown like older men. Over shirts men wore doublets; a fitted jacket with buttons down the front. Sleeves were either sewn in or detachable to be able to change with the mood.Mens clothing was simple compared to what the women had to
Natural, fair and blemish-free skin during the Elizabethan era was very uncommon. Pale unblemished skin was seen as a sign of nobility, wealth, and delicacy. To be able to achieve the desired white skin , women would make concoctions of white lead and vinegar. This was applied to the face, neck, and breasts. Applying lead straight to the face lead to many medical problems. Authors of the time warned against using the lead, stating that it made their skin “gray and shrivelled”(Elizabethan Make-up 101). After the white complexion was achieved, women traced and drew veins onto their face. Then women used madder, cochineal, ochre-based compounds. Most commonly vermilion was used to color lips and cheeks. This makeup was heavily laid on. Elizabethan makeup was very-time consuming, women did not take the make up with them when they went out. Instead, they would “save” their faces by wearing cloth or leather mask with tiny holes to see through while on their way to their destination (Life in Elizabethan London). After using these poisonous compounds, woman's’ skin was very damaged. To try to fix this damage, women used concoctions of mercury, alum, honey and eggshells (Beauty History: Elizabethan era). Using mercury during the Elizabethan era was seen as a face mask of the time. Hair was also an important part of the Elizabethan fashion