Clothing Culture, 1350-1650

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Exploring clothing's relationship with national identity, social distinction, gender, the body, religion, and politics, this work delves into a crucial yet overlooked aspect of social and cultural history. In medieval and early modern Europe, the hierarchical social divisions were vividly reflected in clothing. Writers from Chaucer to Pepys frequently addressed fashion, whether praising court magnificence, warning against vanity, describing trends, or criticizing lower classes for mimicking their superiors. Despite this historical fascination, clothing has often been sidelined in academic discourse. While discussed in various contexts, it has rarely been treated as a primary subject of analysis. The essays in this collection contribute to a growing trend that repositions fashion and clothing at the heart of historical research. Covering regions from Russia to Rome and Ireland to France, it presents a wealth of examples illustrating how clothing influenced and was influenced by medieval and early modern European society. Moreover, it highlights how studying clothing can shed light on other aspects of life, advocating for its recognition as a central element of European history rather than a peripheral one.