Tudor Dress

Published 22nd April 2015

We met Emma Feury and Darren Wilkins of The Tudor Roses to find out more about them, and to learn from their astonishing knowledge of Tudor dress and daily life.

TT: Can you tell me how men and women dressed from the inside out?

TR (Darren): Men’s clothes were really heavy. Everything hangs from the neck. First you have the linen shirt.

sixteenth-century-shirt — Sixteenth century shirt

Henry-VIII-–-doublet-skirted-jerkin-and-gown — Henry VIII - doublet, skirted jerkin and gown

Katharine-of-Aragon-wearing-a-partlet-with-blackwork — Katharine of Aragon wearing a partlet with blackwork

Katherine-Parr-–-English-farthingale-to-hold-out-skirts-and-gown-cut-away-to-show-kirtle — Katherine Parr - English farthingale to hold out skirts and gown cut away to show kirtle

Bath-lined-with-linen — Bath lined with linen

Edward-Prince-of-Wales-–-a-miniature-adult — Edward, Prince of Wales - a miniature adult

TT: What were the shoes like?

TR: Fairly plain, with just a bar over the front, but without heels. They could be slashed too, to show the fabric. Men and women both wore long boots for hunting, up over the knee.

Elizabeth-of-York-in-a-church-hood-–-completely-covering-her-ears — Elizabeth of York in a church hood - completely covering her ears

TT: And of course, the hoods?

TR: The early hoods, worn by Elizabeth of York, were called church hoods. They came completely forward, over the ears, and you can’t hear anything or see without turning your head.

Frances-de-Vere-Countess-of-Surrey-a-later-gable-hood-with-one-fall-pinned-up — Frances de Vere, Countess of Surrey in a later gable hood with one fall pinned up

TT: That is all absolutely fascinating – thank you for talking to Tudor Times.

Daily Life

Tudor Fashion
Clothing