Henry VIII court fashions
Henry VIII came to the throne in 1509 aged 17 years old, he was tall, athletic and handsome. He inherited the throne on the death of his father Henry VII, whom he was nothing like. Henry VII liked to live simply and was careful with money. Henry VIII on the other hand was extravagant.
Fashions during Henry’s reign were magnificent, with huge padded shoulders and square necklines. Slashing was very popular, the puffed shoulders, the doublet and even the shoes were all slashed to show bright contrasting fabric underneath. Henry brought back sumptuary laws that were first introduced in the 1300’s, these laws were there to stop the lower classes dressing above their station. Tudor sumptuary laws were called Statues of Apparel, they included things such as only Tudor royalty could wear clothes trimmed with ermine.
Underwear shaped both men and women’s fashions. Men wore codpieces, padded shoulders and a corset or girdle, the cod piece went out of fashion in the reign of Elizabeth I. Women’s underwear included a farthingale, in Henry’s reign this was bell shaped, a boned bodice, and many petticoats. All of these garments together created the fashionable silhouette.
Jewellery was very popular and as well as the clothes showed the contrast between the upper and lower classes. Pearls were worn by many in both Henry and Elizabeth’s court. Necklaces, bracelets, rings, pendants, earings and broaches were all worn and added to the extravagance of the time.
Henry’s courtiers were brilliantly dressed non more so then Henry himself, his clothes were made with the most expensive fabrics in colours such as purple, gold and silver. He also loved to wear as many rings as he could fit on his fingers. Henry was a striking figure and was everything a Tudor man should be.
For me the fashions of Henry’s reign are some of the most beautiful in history and represent the opulence of his court perfectly.
