Clothing Facts in the Medieval Times

Men's Clothing

Medieval men of all classes usually wore tunics, or long shirts that reached the knees. This garment was known as the cotte hardie, and was sometimes incorporated in women's dresses. Men also wore basic trousers. In the 13th century, men began wearing a surcoat, which was a thick, sleeveless overcoat similar to a cape. The surcoat featured large armholes so that it did not obstruct movement. It was worn by men of all classes, but was made of expensive material when worn by the wealthy.

Women wore dresses that covered the chest and neck and had long sleeves that were often bunched and pleated. Noble and royal women often wore long cloaks embellished with animal furs such as mink or ermine. Wealthy women often completed the ensemble with a long veil that fell over the back of the head and down to the legs. Another fashionable headpiece for wealthy women was a linen cap. Women's shoes were often pointed.

Expensive fabric was important in differentiating royalty from common people. Silk was popular among the rich, especially silks of bright colors. Poorer individuals wore clothing made from wool or linen, durable and cheaper materials that lasted longer than silk and could be worn during hard physical labor, such as farming. People of all classes used leather for clothing that had to endure strenuous activity, such as horseback riding pants or footwear.

Wealthy people during the medieval times hired private tailors to ensure their clothing had a custom fit. Poorer individuals made their clothes themselves. Usually the mother of a family sewed dresses, trousers and tunics for her husband and children. The poor handed their clothing down between generations to conserve resources.

Gold, silver and diamonds were popular accessories to the outfits of the wealthy and were worn as jewelry or sewn into clothes. Royalty of both sexes carried ornate leather purses. The clothes of poorer individuals were purely functional and featured little decoration.