But what makes these garments significantly more interesting than the stylings of any other time period is that they served a greater purpose than mere articles of clothing worn to cover the body-they represented the wearer’s wealth, status, and reputation. Not surprisingly, designers (and costume designers see: Game of Thrones) have turned to the Elizabethan era and its fashions for inspiration. And it’s for these reasons that the Victorian era-and all the centuries thereafter-romanticized it. By many historians’ account, the epoch was regarded as the golden age, the kind of renaissance that could only happen during a time of economic prosperity, peace from religious and political battles, and overall contentment.
The Elizabethan era (1558-1603), under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I during the Tudor period, saw a cultural explosion of the arts-with the most notable figure being William Shakespeare who was at his peak during this time, delivering one masterpiece after another (Friday marks the playwright’s birthday).
