BAROQUE AND ROCOCO FASHION

Baroque

Baroque is a period in the history of Western art coinciding with the seventeenth century. It's likewise a style that utilized overstated, exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music. The style began around 1600 in Rome, Italy and spread to the most part of Europe. It lasted for around 150 years.

With the ruling of King Louis XIV, this period in style history was about sheer indulgence and luxury. This is where architecture, fashion, music and art flourished in Europe to its pinnacle.

The Baroque period gave the lower class people a freedom of choice which in the other periods was not with them. This is one of the most important period in terms of development of fashion guilds which became authorized by the ruler himself. It permitted both the men and women to be members. The designers were in demand by the higher and middle classes also.

Women

Signature element of this period was use of colors, gold filigree. Relating to the grandeur of the period the outfits had gold embroidery, laces, pearls and ribbons. The clothing was free from extra details. The dresses became easier as single outfits were created. Natural silhouettes were adopted and clothing got more layered. This was to enhance fuller figure. Necklines were plunging and women wore large sleeves that collected at the wrist or elbow with turned-back lace cuffs. Patterned fabrics were being replaced by solid colour silks and brocade. Hairstyles with the passing time became higher and higher.

            

Men

The men wore high waists, laced collars and cuffs. It was definitely relieving in comparison to the overtly ornate Renaissance fashion. Men would wear ill-fitted breeches known as pantaloons which fell till the knees. They often wore wigs and colored their hairs. Through the span of time close-fitted breeches became stylish that were either tied, buttoned or buckled at the knee with a hose worn underneath it.Men began wearing clothing called 'en suit' or the suit that we know of today. It comprised of a coat, waistcoat and breeches. Haircuts additionally started towering high with the progression of time.

Both men and women wore high heels.

Rococo

Rococo or Late Baroque is an 18th-century artistic movement and style, affecting many aspects of the arts including painting, sculpture, architecture, interior design, decoration, literature, music, and theatre. It developed in the early 18th century in Paris, France as a reaction against the grandeur, symmetry, and strict regulations of the Baroque.

Everything during this time was heavy.

In this time people were not differentiated by wealth but by education and aesthetics.

Women

Floral prints, stripes and pastel colors became popular that time. Amid this period, another another silhouette for women was creating. Panniers, or wide loops worn under the skirt that expanded sideways, turned into a staple. Extremely wide panniers were worn to formal events, while littler ones were worn in ordinary settings. Waists were restricted by corsets contrasting to wide panniers. Skirts opened in front showing the underneath petticoat. The robe à l’anglais featured a snug bodice with a full skirt worn without panniers, usually cut a bit longer in the back to form a small train, and often some type of lace kerchief was worn around the neckline. These gowns were often worn with short, wide-lapeled jackets modeled after men’s redingotes.  Marie Antoinette introduced thechemise à la reine (pictured right), a loose white gown with a colorful silk sash around the waist.  

        

Men

Men generally wore different variations of the habit à la française: a coat, waistcoat, and breeches.  The waistcoat was the most decorative piece, usually lavishly embroidered or displaying patterned fabrics.  Lacejabots were still worn tied around the neck.  Breeches usually stopped at the knee, with white stockings worn underneath and heeled shoes, which usually had large square buckles.  Coats were worn closer to the body and were not as skirt-like as during the Baroque era.