500 years of Medieval Fashion

A rough guide to female fashions from about 9th to the end of the 15th century.
This is a very brief and generic outline, it does not represent all the styles, social status or local varieties - would take ages ( !), and although I do have quite a wardrobe, it is not as extensive - so I had to make do with whatever I happened to have in my closet!
I hope it will provide at least a vague basis for future research for those who are new to the era!
All the clothing made by us - some of this styles ( and indeed, some of the items shown, are available in our online shop!
www.priorattire.co.uk
Thank you for watching!

[@joywalsh6150]

They looked like so much more comfortable clothing than a lot of the latter styles following the Medieval era!! I wonder why it all got so crazy?

[@NobodyInParticular45]

You and your husband are adorable together.

[@value2887]

Booty sweat 💯💯

[@marieofthemay6022]

an immortal couple throughout the centuries

[@weaverofworlds22]

You should see if you can get your husband or someone to model more period men's fashions. This video got me a little curious about what men wore through the ages too

[@RileyLulich]

I would love a more in-depth rundown of Viking fashion! Your video is are brilliant and informative and your clothes look so well made. If I were in the UK I would order from you as much as possible ;;

[@highonimmi]

the very early periods looked so comfortable....

[@walruslatte6080]

i wonder why they started getting so complicated.

[@marycanary86]

hubbys wig game is 10/10 x'D

[@jacqueymuse3404]

Italian renaissance? Someday...please

[@wodnyrak]

you write it off as a rough guide, but I think it was amazing nonetheless. What a collection!

[@lucianadanielli]

The hubby is changing off screen! Im dying

[@unknownposterr]

That fur lined dress was fantastic

[@jennym007]

This was fantastic thank you! So interesting. Cheers from Australia. Good to see what my ancestors wore.

[@Malakalima]

I love your videos so much and was so excited when I saw you posted a new one, and even more excited when I saw what it was about. This video in particular must have been so much work, so thank you for making such a fantastic resource!

[@Dotty2wice]

This was awesome. I'm a medieval historian and often wondered what a "houppelande" was, for example. I could watch your videos over and over. Could you do a specific one on head wear? I am interested in the crispette, filet, barbette, etc., and would like to see these things up close. Thanks!

[@anyu]

Sarah Hearn I would love this too!

[@l.m.2404]

Oooo, more medieval headwear tutorials, please.

[@Ferret8185]

I absolutely love all of these. This has been a horrible week at work , these have taken me a universe away. I'm so inspired by priorattire. You are so cool and awe inspiring!

[@erikas3264]

I hope the coming week will be better for you! ^_^

[@Ferret8185]

Erika S ❤️

[@renaultellis6188]

Love the 11-12th century Norman styles

[@ivanasukjadic1423]

Looks like it took an hour just to get dressed!

[@frank7411]

Great video!!! You have so many beautiful clothes!

[@janedoe805]

I absolutely loved this video and I adore both of you. It’s was in the wee morning hours when I watched this video and I was roaring when your Husband came out with those wigs on! I literally had to toned my laughter in fear of waking my neighbors! Thank you both so very much! ♥️👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@juliankeith3525]

It's nice to see the rich lady dresses for once. As a medieval renactor myself, I'm normally in peasant clothes. So hose, linen underdress, woolen overdress (both with almost no shaping and no lacing at all), a belt and a wimple. No fancy kirtles or fun sleeves with crazy linings etc. It does however let me run around like a mad woman with little worry of ruining any expensive silks. So there are advantages too. Are all you outfits handmade btw? If so, you are very talented and those must have taken forever to sew.

[@ChrisSunHwa]

The green dress at 5:00 is so pretty that it seems a pity to cover it, even with the lovely overdress.

[@sassbrat]

I've always love the sleeve from the 11th and 12 century and i used to call them butterfly sleeves do to looking like butterfly wings

[@krn2683]

This is so interesting. It seems like they went back and forth between more simple styles to more complicated ones.

[@rayssasabinodasilva1568]

Can't believe I just found you out! I love historical fashion and this channel is a blessing. Keep posting

[@PiaLorena]

Aww, I didn't want it to end! I loved it so much

[@tweettweetie]

This is really helpful cuz i have a few early medieval ocs and it’s really hard to find info on early medieval clothes so this video is really helpful 😭

[@ccddle]

1280 to 1320 looks so comfy.

[@sundaychild5099]

Anglo-Saxon and Rus-Viking style(9-10th century) are best... simple, nice, practical, no boring ornaments or so many skirts...

[@GustavoDiSalvo]

I was just thinking that the viking woman is very in style today :)

[@CailinRuaAnChead]

Agreed, I'd totally wear the viking dress today

[@thebardisashieldmaiden1754]

Vikings wore ornamentals on their chest with broaches.

[@piscesrain8882]

Bless you , that was a lot of ties and snaps/buttons !

[@DodiTov]

No snaps. Snaps weren't invented until the late 19th century by an Australian lady, Myra_Juliet_Farrell.

[@exxiyya4855]

Omg I wish I could walk like this all day,without people looking.

[@E_FoxSnowspirit]

The amount of hair doing in this video.... Bravo!

[@timothysdog6130]

It's interesting that styles seemed to have taken much longer to change back then. They are variations of the same theme that evolved slowly

[@NormieNeko]

A lot of it had to do with religious modesty being far more enforced. It wasn't just about not showing skin but also about flashy fabrics, jewelry, and dramatic hair styles. Make up was another no-no. That clearly went out the window with the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. Fashion started becoming more avant garde rather than simple and practical. We finally had trends coming and going every decade or so.

[@rhyfelwrDuw]

Fab video! I love looking at costumes from different periods of history!

[@gildedpeahen876]

the bliaut with the flared sleeves is my favorite style of any of your dresses, even though its simple, its lovely and fitted and I just adore it

[@l.m.2404]

Heck, yea! I researched my paternal grandmother back to 1151 and plan to use this bliaut as my reference when I make my pattern. Thank you, Priorattire. :D

[@jennhill8708]

Fun! I’m going to finally have it out w medieval sleeves. Wish me luck!

[@MinorKeyDancing]

Would love to see 500 years of men's fashion too. Loved the Rogier van der Weyden and the Burgundian clogs! Thank you for making this and thanks to your husband!

[@lindakile1229]

I love your videos. I have always wondered how people used to dress. This one is amazing, changing with the ages. I try to watch them all.

[@Smallpotato1965]

hee hee... I love the 'husband': he looks so proud of his 'wife' while posing with her (and she looks so admiringly at him.. bless!) Lol!

[@vliegendegieter106]

They look lovely, don't they?

[@latioselatias]

"Honeeeeeeey, can you help me with this lacing???" 🤣

[@jonesnori]

I'm pretty sure from watching other videos that they really are husband and wife.

[@Linhdoesstuff]

@@jonesnori They are! What an adorable couple...

[@attilathehen1555]

Love the dark red kirtle of 11-12th Century Normans; so flattering and wearable today.

[@chloeannegachalife]

11th- 12th century Norman fashion looks like queen elinor from brave

[@sallawaronen3277]

Thank you Izabela and husband for this incredible by far my most favorite era fashion show! It really made my day❤

[@Mommamacnz]

This was very interesting and some of those styles I would love to wear today (though maybe without some of the headgear!)

[@jenwilson8193]

All are beautiful but I love the longer and flowy sleeves ...so beautiful and feminine awesome to see them back to back.

[@achanwahn]

Gotta love the late 1300s. Really started to shake it up in high society fashion. ^^

[@blueberry4345]

Absolutely lovely as usual! I'd love to see the 11th century Norman as well as 1200s fashion in more length- what an elegant style ♥️ Thank you for your videos!

[@birdandcatlover5597]

I'm so tempted to sew these....first, I need to make my day to day wardrobe. Struggles of a tall girl with long limbs and broad shoulders, that can't stand synthetic fibers...I can see a corset no problem, but I'm new to pants, and cant stand wearing skirts everyday

[@rebeccasjodal9769]

I would like to see the men's fashion during the same ages☺️

[@weedermann]

Always FANTASTIC to view these. You people are ARTISTS!!!

[@tishakennell3246]

So cool! With the styles back to back it was cool to see how they evolved and changed! What is so unexpected for me was how much it was like styles of today! Some styles grew and morphed and others just POW were suddenly there! I love the styles except for the 1390s headdress. It was huge! Which Breakfast at Tiffany's Hat Bring It On! But it had these veils and stuff I don't see how anyone wearing it could see anything on the sides of her! And I hate having my peripheral vision cut off. Thanks so much for this Great Video!

[@priorattire]

it is not too bad - and the templers make brilliant sandwich cases, - or acually anything you want to carry around! i once had mobile pbone and car keys concealed i one and snacs in the other.....

[@tishakennell3246]

😃 Now that's handy!

[@Tina06019]

priorattire Haha! I also put secret pockets for keys, wallet and cell phone into the garb I sew. Sometimes it is easier to do that with the folds and volume of historical garb than with a modern pattern, if the pattern is not already designed with pockets.

[@ChrisSunHwa]

Does the big headdress make your neck sore if you wear it for very long or is it lighter weight than it looks? I LOVE your videos!

[@virginiedelvauxdefenffe4202]

it resumes the evolution pretty well! I've always dreamed a smart someone would make a video like this! Thank you!

[@Greenwickpress]

Me too. There are plenty of illustrations of historical garb, but seeing the outfits as they were out on and were moved around in is so much more useful.

[@winsomejacobs7548]

i love this channel so much!! it’s extremely helpful to one planning to be a costume designer :) one thing i would really love to see is some historical men’s fashion- it looks as though your husband has his share of costumes for each period!

[@sarar4901]

+ Watching him come in and out of frame in different costumes and not being able to see them properly is tantalizing.

[@Liamochii]

This is my favorite youtube channel! I alredy spended many nights rewatching this videos cause they really help me to understand how to properly draw historical clothing (wich is my main hobby)

[@jobond3317]

Love your videos great to see what the clothes looked like on a live person moving plus you make them look fun and a bit mischievous

[@charitysheppard4549]

I just love your videos. I always hope they have on lots of air conditioning for you as I bet all that changing is hot work.

[@Pilum1000]

really interesting video... and incredible music... thanks you very much :)

[@borleyboo5613]

I love the Rogier van der Weyden style. It’s just like one of his paintings. I love van der Weyden’s paintings. They are beautiful. Thank you for this most entertaining video.

[@arturdornellesferreira]

such a fashion revolution and cultural drift from 1360 to 1390... at that time europeans were being influenced by orientalism, fashion trends brought from the middle east, along as textiles, fabrics and colors, with the begging of the navigations and crusades and then early renaissance, it’s very interesting to see this transformation on images and colors... and to think that people say globalization started in the 21th century :) this video is great, thank you and congrats for illustrating history so well

[@7dayspking]

You might get that impression incorrectly from the video, by no means is this representative of the breadth of European fashion in the 1300s or 1400s. You can see the precedents for these designs in earlier fashion. For the record even the Vikings had 'oriental' textiles like silk garments, it wasn't a sudden shift or revolution that happened suddenly in 1360-1390.

[@idontgiveafaboutyou]

Yeah I notice that the in the contemporary paintings during that period, men started wearing the chaperon, which is a kind of hood, and it looked very similar to oriental hat wear.

[@mastersadvocate]

Great video of the history of Medieval fashion! It brought back memories of my youth spent attending SCA gatherings! You must have been exhausted after changing your clothes so many times! 😂 Cheers! ~Janet in Canada

[@Tina06019]

I turned the video down to half speed to better see & enjoy the attire. 10th century Northern European is my favorite; but I always make my shifts & gowns 1-2” above my ankles b/c I am not a lady of leisure.

[@folded_pizza]

your videos are so informational, thank you!

[@madalinebeeman2171]

thank you! you do an amazing performance and I so appreciate learning the history, and I appreciate all the work you did. Thank you.

[@polkadot8788]

I found this useful as I'm trying to decide what style of medival dress to make.

[@CataclysmicStar]

That was fantastic! Thanks so much!

[@teresabreitrick5266]

I love your videos! It is plain to see that you have worked so extremely hard to make such amazing pieces. You must also do tons of research. What kind of materials do you use when researching garments?

[@anavah4yeshua580]

Men & women seemed to have complicated their dress over the centuries! How many serious injuries happened to women wearing those wooden clogs? Broken ankles, legs, arms, etc. Those injuries could have been life threatening in those days I imagine.

[@mahenonz]

Probably not much different to high heels now, or platform shoes in the ‘70s. People would have gotten used to wearing them.

[@walruslatte6080]

Those clogs seemed pretty practical

[@macstabby_j]

Perfect for an Empress Matilda costume!!

[@laurelanne5071]

Lovely. I love those late medieval styles from after about 1400. Need one of the guys' stuff, too!

[@agne1211]

Yeah. A menswear video would be amazing!

[@rachelstone632]

Fantastic! You and your husband look so sweet together :)

[@adeliakerekes6462]

I certainly don't know a history of fashion but I have always enjoyed looking at the outfits from these times I have truly enjoyed looking at all the videos and as being an equestrian myself in the hunter jumper realm was truly impressed with your dressage skills side saddle! amazing! Keep up all of your amazing work! Only wish I wasn't across the pond so I could see it in person!

[@InnannasRainbow]

I wish some of these styles would come back.

[@thegreypoet9518]

make them come back! :)

[@grecogreco4]

but without so much lacing and buttoning.

[@Karina-ey2me]

I've found your channel yesterday, and I saw so much videos XD So much good job, congrats

[@chwastozercyancientslowfoo205]

Beautiful, amazing and educational - thank you 💚💥🇵🇱

[@redbookie222]

This is going to be such a helpful resource for writers.

[@luluvi8998]

I loved this video! Those pieces were beautiful. I would have liked to see your husband's clothes more in detail though ;) Love your channel.

[@davesaia5335]

This is amazing! Thank you for all the time and energy you put into this!

[@lizturner267]

Your content is spectacular! Thank you!

[@smallgreykitten]

Buttons always seemed like a bad idea.

[@karlfimm]

Have you found any historical garments which simply work 'better' than modern styles?

[@VirgoAries1982]

I will slow down because it's so great I wanna understand everything yeah

[@eEdselEdsel]

This was great to see and that sounds like a great version of Susato's Battle Pavanne. I'm going to have to look for the full version.

[@missnazstylee]

I love your videos!! soooo interesting make more!!!!

[@lightningbug3016]

Could you do a video on 16th century Italian clothes?

[@kalinkaren]

Cool!!!!! I love your Channel :)

[@phoenixdavida8987]

Awesome! So much detail.

[@ah5721]

your channel is wonderful! I find this helpful for narrowing down what era I want to make for clothes!

[@rat-elixirs]

Do you guys happen to know of any channels/blogs/resources that talk about men's historical fashion?

[@lizturner267]

Wow! Formative and entertaining, well done!

[@Eira_am]

I love your videos, I can't stop watching them!

[@haruno21]

all of these look seriously comfortable!!!! no corsets whatsoever!

[@priorattire]

+haruno21 actually, give me corset any day to support the boobage! Fitted kirtle from the 14 th century onwards is starting to fulfil that function, but before, apart from breast bindings, not so much. I am much more comfortable in a corset...

[@Tina06019]

priorattire I don’t mind a moderate corset, but the extreme corsets which push my large breasts to absurd heights and squish my innards too much - forget it. Not for me.

[@kristinaeulenberg7136]

Vielen Dank für den Einblick in die Mode dieser Zeit. Es war sehr interessant für mich.

[@catsinsummer]

this was so cool! i'm saving this for my english anarchy-era d+d game (takes place in 1137). i'd love to try on some of those dresses, really, even though i'm not a dress kind of guy. i found the video a little choppy, if you want critique, though i understand you were trying to fit as much in as possible. thank you for such a wide-spanning overview!

[@MsSpiffz]

I love the 1460 Burgundian attire, have you done a video on that one? I think the Dorothy Dunnett readers group would like to see that.

[@priorattire]

Yes

[@piouppioup]

I love those videos, thank you!

[@judyhobday4760]

amazing wardrobe. I am interested in maternity wear.

[@priorattire]

o real difference at the time, just more volume in the kirtle and in 14-15t century, a lot can be regulated with side or front lacing

[@jenniefernandez9465]

I like the earlier stuff much better.

[@InnannasRainbow]

Can you do clothes from around Romania in the late 1200s? Also, fashion from the Bronze Age around England? I can't seem to find any videos for these time periods.

[@hermionegranger1770]

WOW that is a long time 500 years ago

[@MsZeldasaga]

Yay another upload! I adore your videos, greetings from Canada!

[@mandyhull127]

Wow, fantastic.

[@badjemima]

Your videos are absolutely brilliant!

[@Sandra.Molchanova]

That looks like a lot of exercise you're doing while filming it all. 😊 I bet you don't even need to go to the gym after that since all the calories are burned already