The word Renaissance mans “rebirth” is the period in
European civilization between 14th – 17th century in
Europe. It was considered the bridge between the middle age and modern history.
As a cultural movement it affected European intellectual life in the early
modern period. It began in Italy and later spreading to the rest of the Europe.
Its influence was felt in literature, philosophy, art, music, politics, science,
religion and other aspects. It encompassed flowering of Latin and vernacular
literature. In politics it contributed in the development of conventions of
diplomacy. In science an increased reliance on observation. Renaissance is
perhaps best known for its artistic developments of such polymaths as Leonardo
Da Vinci and Michelangelo.
It is known that people with abundance, power and control
are tend to the trends and styles. It is true since the earlier times. Earlier
monarchs and wealthy people used to set these trends.
The clothing clearly spoke about the social standing of
the wearer. The darker colours were
previously associated with poor but later the wealthy people realized that such
colours would do a better job in of showing off their jewels. The wealthy
displayed their money by wearing garments made of expensive cloth which was
imported fromm other countires likr velvet, silk, brocade, cotton (Cotton was at this time in history kind
of hard to come by in and was thus a 'wealthy' fabric). Fur was also worn by
those who could afford it. Lower classes had limited amount of options for
cloths they could afford.
Women
The styles
of garment changed from year to year but the basic style remained same. They
wore long gowns comprised of tight fitting bodice and fuller/pleated skirts
supported underneath by hoops made of wire or wicker and held together with
ribbons or tapes. The the shoulder were broad. Dresses had deep necklines. The
dresses for upper class were heavy and cumbersome which restricted them to do
any work or even move. Women of lower class wore much looser clothes and
corsets. All women's
outfits started with a shift (a loose, linen smock worn to protect the gown),
and stockings, which were normally knee-high. Petticoats were added both to
fill out a gown and to keep the wearer warm. Women had lots of layers which even showed more the layers
the wealthier she was. 
A man's outfit would start with a shirt utilizing lace collars and cuffs. Over this would go a doublet, or fitted top, and finally over that a jerkin, a close-fitting jacket. Men of the working class dressed for utility and might simply wear the shirt alone. Men's fashions were centered around a "square" silhouette that was achieved by widening the shoulders on vests and coats and padding them. Men would wear hose on their legs. The upper hose were (often poufy) knee-length trousers which were met by the nether hose, or stockings, on the lower leg. Doublets became shorter, creating a space between the upper hose and the doublet.
Children
Children in Renaissance England were considered simply small adults, and their dress reflected this. Children were dressed in clothing very similar to their parents, and both young boys and girls wore dresses during infancy and toddlerhood.
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