Medieval Mania and Renaissance Remix

Magical Medieval and fairytale fashions are casting their spell on the fashion world! This 2008 fashion trend cannot be denied as major designers have created mystical clothing that hearkens back to the 1300s, 1400s and 1500s. http://www.vintagecouturejewelry.com/ has wonderful accessories to set off these dramatic fashions such as golden chains, jewel encrusted necklaces, pearly earrings and pins , coat of arms pendants and pins, chain belts and golden shield earrings.

2008 runway shows introduced high drama with ruffled collars, capes, snoods, corsets, laces, laced boots, long skirts, high necks, tunics, fur and jeweled bodices. Dresses that resemble medieval robes with bold shoulders and Renaissance ruffled collars and cuffs are exciting the eye as they must have in the days of yore.

Lords and ladies were in the ruling class and they controlled fashion trends and insisted on separating themselves from the fashion of the lower classes. The royals wore expensive fabrics and tried to restrict the colors that the lower classes wore. They ruled that only one color could be worn by the commoners.! This was immediately unpopular and the commoners began slashing their clothes so that the under colors could show through. Sleeves were wide and showed geometric cutouts with contrasting fabrics underneath. Skirts were slit in front and pulled aside to reveal under skirts. Soon this became part of the popular fashion for the royals as well and the style was altered by the quality of the textiles. Fur was used for trimming and undergarments were made of velvet, silk, and brocades. Even then street fashion influenced couture!

The 1100s brought robes that were fastened at the waist worn with hooded snoods and pointed shoes. Prince Charming wants to take a look.

The 1200s added a large wrapper with sleeves that was worn over the upper part of the robe and later was made without sleeves so the undergarment would be seen. Tunics were cinched at the waist and sometimes worn with another shorter tunic. Gowns with tight bodices and tight jackets became popular. Your fairy godmother will grant you three wishes.

The 1300s added elegance with expensive fabrics such as fur and silk. External corsets were worn and hair dos became important. The frog will turn into a prince if you just kiss him.

The 1400s introduced long trains that were tucked under arms, uncovered necks were styled with jeweled necklaces and dresses were shorter in length to show off shoes. Don't eat any apples offered by a wicked witch.

The 1500s brought chemises with laced up bodices. Cone shaped skirts with square necks that were edged in lace, jewels and furs became popular and wide sleeves were decorated with fabric layers and pleats. By the mid 1500s, Spanish fashions became popular and clothing was mounted on cages of wire, whalebone and cloth. Trains were out and sleeves became tight fitting from wrist to elbow with large puffed shoulders. Black became the main color to show off pearl and jewels that were sewn into the fabric. When starch was discovered, ruffled necks became popular-the higher the better. Wires were added to the ruffs for support and height. This was balanced by the deep v shaped waist or wasp waist. Cinderella's coach is waiting.

Stella McCartney, Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Julien Mcdonald, are only a few of the designers that are enchanting us with fairy tale looks and http://www.vintagecouturejewelry.com/ wants to give you the secret accessory that will even wake up Sleeping Beauty!