# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
For men, 16th century fashion was often elaborate and quite ornate. Looking at this historical clothing on a fashion timeline, men were often dressed in styles that would be considered feminine today.

16th Century Fashion for Men

Clothing for men changed drastically during the 16th century. With rivalry between England's Henry VIII and France's Francis I, a competition ensued as to who would have the best dressed court. Men dressed in multi-layered outfits with ornate trims and luxurious materials. Shoulders were wide and sleeves were puffy, cuffed and made from contrasting bands of material. The sleeves became the focus of many ensembles for men. Ruffles were seen on shirts as well as embroidery and patterns. The rich wore elaborate attire showing off what they could afford while peasants dressed plainly and could be identified by their attire.

Fabrics and Trims

Materials used in 16th century fashion (very similar to materials in Renaissance men's clothing) included:

Linen

Silk

Velvet

Leather

Lace

Embroidery made from gold and silver

Buttons, worn by the rich, were made from silver and gold and often had a setting of gemstones

Fur was considered very fashionable and the most coveted of the time was the silver fur of the lynx and the dark brown fur of the sable.

Almost every aspect of a man's attire was richly decorated. Hats had feathers and shoes often had cut-out decorations on them. Nothing was plain except maybe the hosiery that they wore, and even that was often elaborate in style.

Multi-Layer Fashions

For men, 16th century fashion consisted of many layers. On top, they wore shirts made from linen with a ruff. Over that they wore a doublet that had sleeves that were separate and tied to the shoulder. Another layer over that was a leather jerkin that was sleeveless and resembled a vest.

Shoes and Hose

Shoes for men were similar in style to those worn by women. Shoes were flat and had a rounded toe and a one-piece sole. For riding, men wore leather boots.

Hose for men were made from two parts. The upper part was the breeches and reached the knee and the bottom looked like stockings or tights. Knee breeches were either very full or very tight. The garters that held them up were often ornate as well. Another sort of hose worn by men was puffy shorts that came to mid-thigh and resembled a bell. The bottom of these hose looked like stockings.

Outerwear for Men

Men wore short cloaks or capes over their clothing. Their outerwear was commonly hip-length unless the weather was harsh; they then wore long cloaks to protect their clothing. Military jackets were also worn to look fashionable.

Hats

There were several hat styles worn in the 16th century:

Capotain - Tall felt hat decorated with jewels or feathers and worn both indoors and out

Coifs or Biggins - Close fitting, usually black, hats that covered the ears and tied under the chin

Nightcap - Linen cap with a turned up brim that was exclusively worn indoors

Clothing for the Working Class

Clothing for the working class differed from that worn by the rich. Peasants wore straight or loose fitting trousers that reached mid-calf. A mid-thigh length, loosely fitting coat was worn over a shirt that was belted with a cord. This look was a far cry from the elaborate fashions seen on the affluent.

Finishing Touches

Men kept their hair short and off their foreheads. Groomed beards were also popular. Some younger men wore one section of hair long over one shoulder and called this piece a lovelock.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For men, 16th century fashion was often elaborate and quite ornate. Looking at this historical clothing on a fashion timeline, men were often dressed in styles that would be considered feminine today. Clothing for men changed drastically during the 16th century.

# data[].attributes.body
Rich men wore white silk shirts, frilled at the neck and wrists. Over this they wore a doublet (a bit like a tight-fitting jacket), and close-fitting striped trousers (called hose).

# data[].attributes.body
A doublet

# data[].attributes.body
Most men's hair was bobbed, but the length of your hair was chosen by individual taste. They could be straight or curled according to the nature of the wearer. As the 16th century advanced, men wore their hair shorter almost like modern hair. The men wore variations of the low-crowned, brimmed cap and was often turned up all around or with just one side turned up.

# data[].attributes.body
Hat

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
the tudors costumes : men's dress - the tudors wiki

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Tudors Costumes : Men's Dress - The Tudors Wiki

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
TUDOR STYLE : Men's Dress Men's clothing gave them a square shape . They wore short doublets over their hose and the shoulders of their coats...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"A man's clothes were a matter of great public importance, a woman's less so. With his clothes a man advertised his place in society, a fact that had serious consequences in Tudor England. Laws restricted a man's rights to wear certain fabric and colours to those within particular social strata so thoughtless dressing could land a man in legal trouble" - Ruth Goodman

The use of cloth of gold and purple silk was reserved to members of the royal family and declared in the statute of 1483. The legislation of 1483 reserved cloth of gold of silk or purple silk to the King, the Queen, the King's mother and the immediate royal family. The legislation of 1509-10 then applied the same to cloths used for horses.

Sumptuary laws were passed during Henry VIII's first Parliament to preserve rank and ensure no subject dressed above their rank - these laws were passed and prohibited anyone below the rank of Knight of the Garter with the exception of certain Lords, Judges and those of the king's council and the Mayor of London to wear velvet in their gown and doublet, or satin or damask in his gown or coat. Others with the title of Earl or higher could wear sable fur. With that being said, other furs could be worn by lower ranks.

There were also certain clauses that prohibited the wearing of foreign wools and furs, which protected local businesses and trade.

Tudor Men's Hats

While styles of hats varied, common amongst the commoners of the time were the "flat caps" which had been in use for much of the Tudor reign. These might be made of wool, felt, or leather, and could be lined with linen. Amongst the nobility, tall hats similar to a modern top hat, but featuring a tapering crown, or an arched brim hat might be popular amongst both men and women. Italian style "bonnet" hats also were popular during the period, and any of these hats could be made of a fine fabric over a frame of linen stiffened with gum. Leather was also a popular material for the construction of fashionable hats. - Tudor Shoppe

Tudor Men's Shoes

The legs were covered with hose, which had become two separate pieces. Upper stocks covered the top half of the leg, while lower stocks covered the bottom. The differentiation between the two pieces is particularly clear in Henry's portrait. The emphasis on width is continued all the way down to the shoes, called duckbill shoes. Duckbill shoes were flat and square in front, made of leather, and could be slashed for decoration. - The Fashion Historian

Sources/References:
Wooglar, C.M.; "The Great Household in Late Medieval England"
Goodman, Ruth; "How to be a Tudor - A Dawn to Dusk Guide to Tudor Life"
Mason, Emma; "What clothes did people wear in the Tudor period?" via History Today

-

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Men's Clothing in 16th Century Tudor England - Tudors Dynasty

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"A man's clothes were a matter of great public importance, a woman's less so. With his clothes a man advertised his place in society, a fact that had serious consequences in Tudor England. Laws restricted a man's rights to wear certain fabric and colours to those within particular social strata so thoughtless dressing could land ...

# data[].attributes.body
For riding, men wore leather boots.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Made as part of HISTORY's Henry Week which featured the premieres of two new shows: Inside The Body of Henry VIII; and Inside The World of Henry VIII. Further details here: http://tinyurl.com/mg4dz3

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Tudors were the British royal family from the years 1485 to 1603. Beginning with Henry VII, and progressing through Henry VIII, his short-lived son, Edward VI, and winding...