Elizabethan:Introduction

Elizabethan:Introduction

This semester our first project is based around the 'Elizabethan' style. We will be looking at main high figures like 'Queen Elizabeth 1st' and how she looked during this time period and how we can study people like her to gather a greater understand of the fashion looks in the 16th century. Therefore throughout this project we will be taught how to plan, practice and create our own modern day Elizabethan looks made up with practice of the traditional look. I know that within this era make-up was a new aspect of a lot of women lives but tends to be for the richer women as it was more expensive due the it being a new phase of this time. White paste make-up was most commonly used by the wealthy women, it was used to hide ageing, spots, illnesses which in some cases relates to today's products. The make-up was also used to further express wealth not only because it was expensive.The reason women wanted a pale completion was too show that you were not of working class and you had other people to do these jobs for you. For example the working class women would develop a tan when working outside so by the wealthy women having a pale completion this symbolized to others that they could afford the 'help'.



  This video (1:17- 1:40) from these points show you the basic look of the Elizabethan era and is interesting of how different aspects of the looks have changed other time when you compare it to today. In the video it also shows that women would have there hairline very far back on their head. This was to make the forehead appear a lot bigger and larger than it actually was to represent the person to have a bigger brain. It was seen as being more attractive to be an intelligent women. It was not only having parting that was far back that was in fashion in the Tudor times but long hair. The long hair would usually be kept up under headdresses this was seen as concealing the women beauty but only on special occasions would they where their hair down e.g. coronations or weddings. Like 'Queen Elizabeth 1st' who wore her hair down on her coronation which on a young lady of this era shown her as a virgin. These facts are further shown on this link and explain more hair fashion for men and women of the Elizabethan era.

I am really looking forward to learning more about this era as it is one of my favourite times in history as it is so fascinating and interesting to study. It will be very interesting also to apply all the knowledge I will learn about the History of hair and make-up in this era and apply it to practical work. I hope to achieve with hard work the best work I can with the skills that I will gain in this topic and hopefully achieve the best modern Elizabethan look to the best of my ability.

By Amelia Richmond-Knight