About
Each section of this Tudors Website addresses all topics and provides interesting facts and information about Tudor Clothes for the rich and poor. This website gives an insight of what fashion was like during the Tudor Era. Tudor England is famous for its elaborate clothing from both rich and poor.
The Sumptuary Law
Tudor clothes and fashion were different for Royalty and Nobles as opposed to the poor Tudors as King Henry VIII validated Sumptuary Laws or Statue of Apparel which were designed to keep the different classes separate. Clothes and fashion indicated status, and violation of these laws could result in loss of property, title or in cases of lower class Tudors, death. The higher the rank the more choice of materials, styles and colours that could be worn. The upper class in society wore their clothes as a statement of their wealth and position. The Sumptuary Laws, also known as ‘Statues of Apparel’ was passed to maintain control over the population and to limit the expenditure of people of clothing so that the classes could be distinguished and prohibited from ‘getting above their station.’ This law would authorize an easy and immediate way to recognise rank and privilege and was well known by English people, both rich and poor. In January 1520 during the first Parliament in which King Henry VIII reigned, a law was passed called ‘an act against wearing costly apparel.’ This act was successful and reformed throughout the Tudor period of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.