What Kind of Clothes Did Romeo and Juliet Wear?
Literature afficionados and those involved in theatrical productions may wonder what kind of clothes were worn by Romeo and Juliet wear. Figuring out what kinds of clothing they wore first requires some basic knowledge about these two famous characters.
Romeo and Juliet is set around the turn of the 14th century in Verona. The Medieval period was just ending, and clothing styles were starting to change.
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet were of the upper class; therefore, if they were dressed in the post-Medieval attire, they would have worn the colors and fabrics of their class.
Medieval and 14th Century Clothing in Verona
Men
At the end of the Medieval period, men were wearing tighter fitting tunics than in the past. They wore undershirts and underwear, which were covered by another tunic and a sleeveless jacket. They also wore stockings with these outfits. For a jacket, they would wear cloaks with an opening on the top for their heads to fit through.
In the 14th century, clothing did not really change much for men; however, their shirts did become puffier.
Women
Women wore tunics down to their ankles, which were known as kirtles. They would wear a shirt underneath the tunics, and when they were out in public, they would also usually wear a shorter tunic on top of the long tunic. Married women often wore their hair up in buns with a cap or net over the hairstyle. Some other women would wear their hair in either tight or loose styles, but would put a veil over it.
In the 14th century, women also retained much of the same style, although their dresses became more elaborate and fancier than they had been in the past.
Colors and Fabrics of the 14th Century
When the Medieval period ended, colors began to distinguish the differences between the classes.
- The upper crust, or the nobility, wore rich greens, blues, golds, and reds. Royalty often wore purple. Purple is heavily associated with royalty to this very day.
- The lower classes were usually adorned in oranges, grays, browns, and pale blues or greens.
Fabrics also differentiated people of upper class from people of lower class. Royalty and nobility wore clothing made from silk, velvet, cottons and other fine materials. The lower classes wore a lot of wool and sheepskin.