Renaissance marked its dominance during the period from 14th to 16th century and it left behind its imprints which are being incorporated into our lives even today. The many facets of renaissance like rebirth of imagination, architectural revolution, cultural cultivation and political development etc has always mesmerized the world. The contributions of renaissance are endless but here we shall be talking about renaissance clothing.

Though we have never given it a serious thought yet it is true that our clothing is also responsible in defining our heritage. There are different regions and nations which went through different periods and each period had its lifestyle where style played a dominant role in showcasing creations born out of imagination and culture. Medieval clothing depicted the rich style and elegance that was prevalent during that period. Surprisingly renaissance dresses have been able to travel over time period and maintain its existence till today.

Style had been given a new standard by renaissance. The medieval dresses were famous for its opulence. Its rich work of art made the outfits look gracious and at the same time these dresses reflected the social standing of the wearer. There are different sets of outfits for royal members as well as commoners. From dukes to servants, each wore dresses that classified them according to their status. So it was common to come across outfits that looked classy and rich and at the same time straightforward and inferior made from raw materials like velvet or flannel.

It was Queen Elizabeth I who immortalized the costumes of the renaissance period. Her dresses which were made of silk used to be handcrafted with stones and were given excellent cuts to make them look sophisticated. The outfits of that period were distinctly characterized by a number of accessories like the famous ruff and diverse wig fabrications.

There were great looking outfits for both men and women. The pirate shirt for example was a rage amongst men. Amazingly the impact of those dresses influenced the style preferences prevalent in almost fifty percent of the countries of the world. Renaissance costumes have become a worldwide craze. Just like yesterday even today people spend a fortune on such dresses which gives them an opportunity to flaunt their image through clothes.

The renaissance era has ended long ago but its fashion statement is still afresh. The trends in the world of garments derive inspiration from renaissance costumes. The theme has become immortal today with slight modifications that have been done as per demands of the changing times.