4.2 Northern Renaissance Costume: Flemish and German Styles
3 min read•july 24, 2024
fashion in Flemish and German styles differed greatly from Italian trends. Heavier fabrics, darker colors, and fuller silhouettes characterized Northern attire, reflecting the colder climate and cultural preferences of the region.
The significantly impacted clothing choices, promoting modesty and simplicity. also played a role in regulating dress, maintaining social hierarchies, and influencing fashion trends across different classes in Northern European societies.
Northern Renaissance Fashion: Flemish and German Styles
Northern vs Italian Renaissance fashion
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Top images from around the web for Northern vs Italian Renaissance fashion
Arts of Luxury for the Renaissance Elite | Getty Iris View original
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Books of the Northern Renaissance | Boundless Art History View original
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File:Jan van Eyck 075.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original
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Arts of Luxury for the Renaissance Elite | Getty Iris View original
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differences Northern styles featured fuller, more voluminous shapes while Italian fashions favored sleeker, more form-fitting cuts (gowns, )
Fabric choices Northern regions used heavier fabrics with more and for warmth Italian styles incorporated lighter fabrics like silk and fine linens (brocades, velvets)
Northern fashion embraced darker, richer colors Italian styles showcased brighter, more vibrant hues (jewel tones, pastels)
Headwear Northern styles included elaborate headdresses, hoods, and caps (, gable hoods) Italian fashion favored simpler hairstyles, berets, and small caps
Necklines Northern fashion featured higher necklines, often with ruffs Italian styles displayed lower necklines, typically square or rounded
Sleeves Northern styles emphasized puffed, slashed, and layered sleeves Italian fashion preferred fitted sleeves, sometimes with decorative cuffs
Features of Flemish and German clothing
Flemish styles
Houppelandes voluminous overgarments with wide sleeves and high collars
Hennins tall, conical headdresses for women often adorned with veils
V-shaped necklines and long trains creating a regal silhouette
Fur-lined outer garments provided warmth and displayed wealth (, )
German styles
colorful, slashed doublets and hose worn by mercenary soldiers
fitted jackets for men often made of rich fabrics and embroidered
loose-fitting coat worn over other garments typically fur-lined
decorative collars for women often made of lace or embroidered fabric
Shared features
Puffed and allowed glimpses of contrasting fabric underneath
for men exaggerated genital area in men's hose
Elaborate headwear for both genders (, , hoods)
Use of contrasting fabrics and colors created visual interest and displayed wealth
Protestant Reformation's impact on attire
Shift towards modesty
Higher necklines covered more of the chest and neck
Longer hemlines extended to the ankles for women
Less revealing silhouettes concealed the body's natural shape
Color choices
Preference for darker, more somber hues reflected religious solemnity (, )
Black became a popular color for respectable dress across social classes
Simplification of styles
Reduction in ostentatious ornamentation fewer jewels and gold embroidery
Less use of precious metals and jewels emphasized humility
Changes in clerical dress
Simplification of priests' vestments removed elaborate decorations
Adoption of plain black robes by Protestant clergy distinguished from Catholic attire
Regional variations
Stricter adherence to modest dress in Calvinist areas (, )
More relaxed interpretations in Lutheran regions allowed for some ornamentation