12th Century Colour

12th century clothing could be quite colourful, provided you had money or social status. The color combinations that were most appealing at the time include green and gold, orange and green and burgundy, blue and red and orange and green, and many versions thereof.

Colours and embellishment denoted rank, privilege and wealth although styles and silhouettes evolved very slowly (an aspect of fashion evolution which didn't change until the 20th century). More on the roles of colour later.

Costume 1154-89

It seems that almost everybody under 30 is wearing hoodies these days and I'm sure many of those believe they're wearing something new and trendy. Think again. Check out the guy in the illustration, second from the right. Hoodies may have been new in the 12th century but they're certainly not now.

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Cloaks

Cold? Try wearing a cloak instead of one of those horrible puffy jackets popular among the urban crowd who are "known to the police," or those equally ugly non-descript winter coats that I see so many Toronto women wearing. You can be warm and fashionable, perhaps this drawing will give you inspiration for those cold days and nights ahead.

Source: Costume 1066-1990s
© John Peacock

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Costume 1135-54

Source: Costume 1066-1990s
© John Peacock

As the debate over burkas et al rages in Ontario, especially in Toronto, I remind you of how western European women dressed back in the 12th century. We used to cover ourselves in meters and meters of excess fabric and considered it the height of fashion. Fortunately we got over this practice but it took hundreds of years.

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Costume 1100-35

Men in skirts, or dresses for that matter —— nothing new there.

Source: Costume 1066-1990s
© John Peacock
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Costume 1087-1100 © John Peacock

When you look at these illustrations it's easy to see the eastern influence on 11th, and later 12th century, western European fashion. The follow-up to this point is when did the influence wane and why? As well, today why do so many North Americans get upset when they see Muslim women shrouded in burkas, et al? Is it just a question of liberation? I wonder.

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Costume 1066-87

Source: Costume 1066-1990s
© John Peacock
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