Fashion Blogs

At the beginning of the century, those pesky conservative styles were still lingering from the previous era but gradually fashion transformed into a more colorful palette and soft extravagance. Delicate fabrics were introduced that flowed gracefully out from the body and excessive decoration disappeared. Men wore doublets with rounded waists, slashed sleeves with leg of mutton breeches.  And what’s this?  A new non-neck irritating soft falling ruff. 




France became the center of the fashion world and everyone competed to be the best dressed. The middleclass copied royalty, so royalty branished something new to which the middleclass copied again, so royalty had to try something else, etc., etc., creating a vicious cycle.  Rank was no longer obvious by the clothes one wore and men, in the hot pursuit of elegance, dressed quite frivolous with satin suits, cloaks of silk and scented collars of flowers.  

By mid century Petticoat Breeches became the lastest rage. They were called Petticoat Breeches because they were so wide and gathered, they looked like skirts. The fact that men covered them in a slew of fancy ribbons and bows didn’t help matters much.  Yes, it was quite a dandy time for all! Men were more elegant and feminine than women!  Toward the end of the era, fashions toned down and thankfully petticoat breeches disappeared. 

MEN’S SHOES:
Boots became fashionable at the English court during Charles I’s reign.  Due to the probability that he had rickets as a child, Charles couldn’t walk without use of supports, thus a shoemaker designed boots to hide them.  Charles could later walk without these supports but by the time he became king, wearing boots became fashionable.  Everyone wore boots.  All classes and sorts.  Indoors and out and for every type of occasion.  




Later in the century, shoes and stockings became very important as the focus shifted to the lower body. Men wanted to wear flattering fanciful hose and shoes to accentuate their shapely legs.







Louis XIV also had a thing for high heels with red soles and heels. It must have been tough to be short in stature but lofty in power so I guess he thought he would even it up a bit.  Of course, what the king does, everyone else copies, so everyone who was anyone wore high heels with red soles and heels.  After all, what would be more proper to wear with Petticoat breeches, than high-heeled shoes?  Boots went out of style in favor of these new elegant heels now elaborately decorated with ribbons, rosettes or buckles.