European Renaissance and Fashion
The designers from both Germany and Italy had great influence on the way people dressed in thr Renaissance period.
For the affluent, clothing was stitched by special designers. With the progress of time new methods of closure were found. The middle class bought clothes that were ready made and second-hand clothing was also common. The labourers clothed themselves in homespun. There was also influence of the Middle and Far East, both on textiles and costume pieces. The turban hat style adopted by both men and women is one example of this influence
Renaissance silks, especially the finest ones were velvets on a satin background. The patterns were large, formal and bisymmetrical. Many of these designs were from Persia, China and India and the clothing resembled them in one way or the other. “One type of ornament, called the "Italian artichoke", formed the center of an intricate pattern enclosed in an ogival framework. Textile designs of this type were widely used in upholstery and hangings in interiors.”- Laurellen de Brandevin
Also the rich wore fabrics such as velvet, satin and cotton, whereas the poor wore flannel and other cheaply available fabrics. Cotton was regarded as a rich person’s clothing as cotton was not easily available as compared to today and was imported from India and America. Amongst the common fabrics were flax and wool. Wool was spun into a form know as tweed.
Also according to Dress and Décor:
“The men's costume were not different in type from the previous period - linen drawers or braies, shirts - the Italian word is camisia - and doublets to which hose were attached with laces or points. The camisia had a wide boat-neck with a small ruffle, sometimes embroidered, and a full sleeve. Hose was joined at the fork, with a codpiece laced over the front opening. Particoloured hose - constructed with legs of a different colour or stripes - was seen in Italy as well as in northern Europe.”
“The Women’s wear was long flowing gowns that fall from the shoulders with a V-shaped opening laced over the camisia. Sleeves were tight-fitting and were seen in several variations Young women also dressed their hair in complex knots and braids, ornamented with jeweled chains and gold nets. A fine chain, called a ferrioniere was draped across”.