Renaissance and Fashion trends - Essay Example

Rennaissance and Fashion Trends Fashion defined as a generally adopted style or design in shoes, accessories and clothing and a form of self-expression (Breward). However, today it has a much deeper, intrinsic meaning. It has since time immemorial, been the foremost form of self-expression, self-definition and a reflection of one’s personality. It is a product of social, cultural, and climatic forces. Clothing in the ancient Rome and Greek were simple and did not express stylistic function instead, it expressed practical function. The designers of clothes during that time took the need of the day as a factor that influenced the design of the cloth that they took to the market. For instances clothes that were designed for war had specific purpose, on the other hand the bridal clothing was designed to suit the function of the day. Before the 19th century clothing was tailor made to suit the needs of each individual (Breward 67). The design of women garments was quite different with the modern garments. The garments were loosely fitting and flowing. Most fabrics in ancient time lacked decoration. The general rule in western world preferred plain clothes to the decorated clothes. History records that clothes that people wore were white in color. Any other color was not easily accepted. Commoners were prohibited by the rules of the land not to wear red clothes in the theaters. A wide range of cloth colors started featuring in the fifth century. During this time, people could wear a wide range of colors in public places and in theaters. The cultural believes and the societal norms dictated the kind of design that a community would accept. However, at the advent of the 20th century, the idea of standardized clothing became more popular as sewing and stitching technologies became widespread and the world moved into the era of industrialization (Breward). Tailors and dress markers developed new fashions and took them to the market. Competition among different designers is another factor that has contributed to the changes in fashions. Many designers want their products to sell, therefore they design unique fashions to attract their customers and woo them into buying. It was then precisely that the fashion industry was born; henceforth the concept of fashion came into existence. For instance, the musicians would want to express their information using unique attire. In such an instance, the designers would develop a unique design that would send the message of the musicians. Renaissance is one of the hallmarks of fashion and cultural movements spanning from 14th to the 17th century (Zirpolo 216). Renaissance is part of history that provides tales about regal etiquette, incredible artists’ grand wealth and investors. Renaissance period had both good and dark sides. Some of the dark sides of the renaissance are poverty, oppression, credulity, disease and violation of human rights by the civil leaders. Renaissance period started with massive devastation that brought changes in lifestyle of the people, which history would not forget. City life in Europe changed and tradition and culture of the people registered some changes. It encompassed not just art and fashion but also influenced science, literature, politics as well as many other aspects of human life having a profound impact on the way of life (Zirpolo 256). Renaissance fashion had distinct clothes for men and women. Men garments were designed for war. Top garments for men were short. It is with no surprise, therefore, that designers also fell prey to the fashion marked by this movement, which is followed to date. Artist use costumes to paint an issue or pass information to the society. In many cases, the artist would come up with unique, but relevant costume to pass their information. In theatres, artist dress according to the need of the performance they have. Sometimes an artist may use a torn cloth to express some information such as effect of war or poverty. When people look at such cloth design some become attracted to them necessitating the manufacture of such kind of designs. Other than artwork, the societal demands have had a great influence in the clothing style or fashion of the day. Many people like associating with renowned personalities. For example, a political icon would be a choice of his lovers. These icons influence the design of clothes and fashions. People who take after the icon would wish to dress as he does. This will influence the design of clothes in the market and change the fashion of the day. For example, many designers would indicate the name of the icon on the fashion as a brand name for the item that they have presented in the market. Works from famous fashion designers from Italy and Germany, including Rene Ward, Andrew Mc Clellan and John Sir Michael Struck were the hallmarks of the Renaissance movement. The fashion trends that emerged in this era were diverse, ranging from flares and broad barrel-shaped attire to narrower, slimmer gowns. Women attires ranged from three pieces i.e. bodice, underskirt, or robe, to single piece. Fashions for women clothing could change with changes in seasons. In some seasons women could wear five pieces then return to the three or single piece. Old women were never left behind during the renaissance period. Their garments covered most of their body parts contrary to the fashion for the young ladies. The old women covered their heads using caps or some cloth to cover their heads. Perhaps this must be due to the signs of old age that portrays the white hair. Fashion designers today take a keen interest in designing clothes that would suit the conditions and demands of people of different age brackets. Young women did not cover their heads, a trend that many people portray today. Young women like portraying their beauty to the society. This issue has an effect in designing clothes for women. The designers look at a woman age when designing their clothes (Jones 8). In most cases, young women would go for clothes that exposed their beauty. The practice spanned during the renaissance period. For example, in Italy, young women could go for the latest fashion in the market, since they did not want to lag behind as changes took place. Modern day fashions for women keep on changing with the desire in women heart. The festive seasons mark the climax of trendy fashions for women. For example, towards Christmas fashion designers come up with new fashions in the market in order to mark the festive seasons. Some circumstances dictated that young women had to cover their heads. For instance, a woman may cover her head when it is raining in order to prevent rain from affecting her hair. Hair covering for women exposed no hair or in some cases, women used light colored clothes, which had laces to cover their head. Perhaps majority of the trends that emerged from the Renaissance era bears resemblance to contemporary fashion. Religion played an important role in influencing the type of clothing that people wore. Christianity condemned people who wore very expensive and elegant clothes of committing the sin of vanity. Many preachers criticized the choices that people made in designing their clothes. The same trends seem to reoccur in the society today. Moralists criticize fashions, which portray human nakedness. Some fashions are contrary to the faith and belief of many believers since they expose the human body, sparking emotions or reactions of the opposite sex. Moralists and preachers feel that such clothes promote promiscuity and pervasive lifestyle. To some extent, their criticism holds some water because modern fashions used in brothels expose human body arousing the sexual curiosity of the opposite sex. The same trends have continues today. Moralists feel that some clothes would erode the rich culture that people had. Concerns about civilization have led to a debate over the erosion that civilization brings to the society. Fashion designers consider the purpose of the cloth or the fashion in designing their clothes. For instance, modern swimming costumes are tightly fitting in order to suit the conditions that a person is likely to meet in water. Garments were considered a symbol of wealth for the nobles and riches as is the case today; although it was more so back then in the Renaissance era. Wealthy people could purchase expensive garments. Garments were viewed as adornments of wealth, creating stark divisions between the rich (nobles) and the poor. Cotton garments were very expensive and it had heavy taxation. Cloths such as silk, velvet, brocade, and cotton were reserved for the wealthy people in the society. Largely, the clothing style was a symbol of wealth. The society could judge a person from the clothes that he or she wore. People from the royal families had to dress like the elects in the community. History reveals that rich people spent a lot of their money to buy elegant and expensive clothes. The trend continues in the society today. Elegant wear is common with the rich families because they can afford to buy these garments. This continues to be a trend to date. Dark colors in particular were preferred in an attempt to showcase ornaments, jewelry and other accessories (Moose 90). The more articulate the tailoring (with cuts and flairs) the higher the prestige of its owner and the more highly exquisite the clothing was considered. (Breward 54). The rich did not compromise on clothing even during tough times, as is the case today. Clothing is still seen as crucial to the portrayal of prosperity and wealth (Mack). This is evident to date in, for instance, Great Britain where the Royal Family continues to extravagantly and lavishly showcase their attire in Royal Weddings and other public appearances. Celebrities also use very expensive garments in the society today. Their trends follow trends in renaissance period. Furthermore, cotton was considered an expensive fabric as it was imported from the subcontinent and carried high taxes and duties (Moose 65). Most notably, however, was the trend that weather determined whether women covered their heads or not. This is apparent today as in hot, urban areas designers are creatively designing head coverings to protect one from heat. Moreover, the most expensive wedding dresses were made of jewelry, brocades, velvet and satin to denote luxury and superior finish, as done in modern times by designers (Moose). Wedding fashion outfits seem to follow the trends in renaissance; people prefer clothes that would attract attention of the society. The attention of many people who attend weddings is directed to bride; just the same, way as it was in the renaissance period. Many people would go for the finest and most expensive cloth that they could afford for their weddings. Beret was invented during the renaissance period. The berets had decorations, which were made using expensive jewels contrary to the plain berets that people where today Beret was worn with a string attached towards its back- hats today offer the same feature; they have a bow hanging out on the backside (Moose 403). Also, the fashion of high-collars in both men’s and women’s apparel continues to date, especially as far as formal, eveningwear is concerned (Mack 111). Weather condition dictates the design of clothes that a person wears. During cold seasons, the fashion designers came up with heavy leather jacket or heavy woolen jackets. This fashion could help the wearer to withstand the adverse weather conditions. The trend continues today, with most heavy jackets designed with heavy collars to protect a person from the harsh conditions. To conclude, there is a high degree of similarity between the Renaissance era and contemporary fashion. This is no surprise as fashion takes its cues from the past- the past becomes a reference point for current designers. At the same time, however, designers today face the challenge of blending conventional fashion trends with modern tastes and preferences. Undoubtedly, the Renaissance has left a strong mark on Western culture and dominates the European clothing trends in particular to date. Work Cited Breward, Christopher. Fashion. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2003. 25-78. Print. Jones, Jen. Fashion Design: The Art of Style. Minnesota: Capstone Press. 2007. 1-10. Print. Mack, Charles R. Looking at the Renaissance: essays toward a contextual appreciation. Michigan: University of Michigan Press. 2005. 96-117. Print. Moose, Christina J. Great events from history: The Renaissance & early modern era. Pasadena: Salem Press. 2005. 45-90, 402-450. Print. Zirpolo, Lilian H. The A to Z of Renaissance Art. Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2009. 214-300. Print. Read More