Gowns of The Elizabethan Era One thing that has not changed throughout time is society’s love for fashion around the world. The Elizabethan Era was a revolutionary time in the world of fashion. What were these dresses that the women emphasized so much? The structure of the gowns, the fabrics used and the evolution of the dresses were significant factors. During the late 1500’s, dresses were based on geometrical shapes rather than the body’s natural, organic shapes (Alchin, page 1). Geometrical shapes include circles, triangles, rectangles and squares. Padding, quilting and whale bone help add the stiffness needed to create these shapes (Alchin, page 1). Dresses were also fabricated to cover a woman’s body totally. Undergarments were usually made of a thin layer of cotton. They resembled pants that stopped right below the knee. The…show more content… The women of the Elizabethan era were tired of the same old fashions, dresses, and fabrics. As time evolved, so did the dresses. They started to think outside of their comfort zone and invented new ways and styles to wear their dresses. Frilled collars became more complex and creative (Alchin, page 2). Ruffs were then transformed into a winged collar that rose high behind the neck and behind the head.The collar receded in the front, over the chest, with ruffles (Alchin, page 2). The collar’s purpose was to frame the face and decide one’s hairstyle (Alchin, page 2). Styles of gowns became more seductive when the ruffs, also known as ruffles, in the front of the dress were opened and then removed to show the neck and reveal part of the bosom (Alchin, page 2). This was also when slashing dresses were developed (Alchin, page 2).The women slashed the outer skirt and bodice of their dresses to reveal the undergarments’ and linings’ colors (Alchin, page 2). Women became trendsetters when the men started to follow their example soon
