Mens Clothing In The 1600s

COTTON ­ Cotton was forbidden for use during most of this century,it was being imported from India. In order to protect the local textile industry cotton was banned from use. LINEN ­ used for under garmets; It was not normally seen in outer garments. SILK ­ Silk was popularly used for outer garments in the upper classes, but was the most expensive fabric. WOOL ­ it was a cheaper and warmer fabric, many lower class garments used it.

In England, sumptuary laws dictated what colour and type of clothing, furs, fabrics, and trims were allowed to persons of various ranks or incomes. In the case of clothing, this was intended, amongst other reasons, to reduce spending on foreign textiles and to ensure that people did not dress "above their station": Men's Clothing: louse, long linen shirts, knee length breeches, stocking, shoes or boots, loose fitting capes, hat