The Elizabethan era, named after Queen Elizabeth I who ruled from 1558 to 1603, was a time of great cultural and artistic flourishing in England. One aspect of Elizabethan fashion that has endured as a popular subject of study and interest is the shirts worn during this time.
Elizabethan shirts were made of linen or hemp, and were typically worn under a doublet or jerkin, which were outer garments worn by men. Shirts were often adorned with ruffles, lace, and embroidery, and were an important part of the fashionable Elizabethan man's wardrobe.
Ruffs, or large, elaborate collars made of starched linen, were a particularly distinctive feature of Elizabethan shirts. These ruffs could be several inches tall and were worn around the neck, framing the face. They were held in place by a band or necklace known as a "ruff pin," and were often paired with a matching wrist ruff. Ruffs were a symbol of wealth and status, and were often worn by those in the upper classes.
Elizabethan shirts were also often adorned with lace, which was a popular and expensive fabric at the time. Lace could be added to the sleeves, collar, and cuffs of a shirt, and was often used to create intricate patterns and designs. Embroidery was another popular decoration for Elizabethan shirts, and could be used to create even more intricate designs and patterns.
While Elizabethan shirts were primarily worn by men, women also wore shirts during this time, though their shirts were typically more plain and modest in comparison to men's shirts. Women's shirts were typically made of linen or cotton, and were worn under a dress or gown.
In addition to the shirts worn by the upper classes, there were also simpler, more functional shirts worn by the lower classes. These shirts were made of coarser fabrics and were not as ornately decorated as the shirts worn by the wealthy.
Overall, Elizabethan shirts were an important part of the fashionable wardrobe of the time, and were a key element of the elaborate and ornate fashion style of the Elizabethan era. The use of ruffs, lace, and embroidery helped to create a look that was both opulent and sophisticated, and helped to define the fashionable aesthetic of the time.