Elizabethan Costume Worksheet MEN

Low Status High Status

1. Peasants, farmers and innkeepers were the

lowest status in society Shakespeares plays. Their

clothes were made of natural, cheap fabrics and

were easy to wear so the men could get on with

their work unimpeded.

Possible characters that would wear this

costume:

JERKIN

COLOUR:

FABRIC:

UNDER SHIRT

COLOUR:

FABRIC:

HOSE

(Straighter leg also

came into popular

fashion after QEIs reign)

COLOUR:

FABRIC:

2. Servants/ Stewards

These people had an honest

employment, usually by wealthy,

high status people. They wanted

their servants to look great, so

were dressed neatly but plainly.

Possible characters who

would wear this:

DOUBLET

COLOUR:

FABRIC:

HOSE

(note the leg is

still quite

straight)

3. Jesters were well

loved by their

masters, and dressed

well in rich fabrics.

TASK: Label the

jesters hat and the

ruff

Characters who

would wear this:

4. Noblemen

Lords, men of the court, sons

of Kings, Dukes or Lords,

were all dressed in rich

fabrics and vibrant colours.

This photo shows the shape

of the doublet and hose.

TASK: Draw on a neck ruff

and wrist ruffs to add to this

basic costume

Possible Characters who

would wear this:

5. Kings, Royalty

These were the highest status in Elizabethan society.

Large cloaks,, heavily embroidered and intricate

patterns and fabrics with lace and jewels hand-woven

in. Specific colours such as gold and purple were

reserved for royalty.

Possible characters:

Elizabethan Costume Worksheet WOMEN

Low Status High Status

1. Peasant women, wives of farmers and

innkeepers were the lowest status in society

Shakespeares plays. Their clothes were made of

natural, cheap fabrics and had little structure

(boning/ hooping) so that they could get on with

their work unimpeded.

Possible characters that would wear this

costume:

BODICE (laced up at front)

COLOUR:

FABRIC:

APRON

COLOUR:

FABRIC:

ANKLE LENGTH SKIRT

COLOUR;

FABRIC:

2. Undergarments Women

higher in Elizabethan status

had a lot of shaping in their

undergarments to create a

defined style pinched in at

the waist and large in the hips/

bottom to create a feminine

line.

TASK: Label the bum roll,

corset and farthingale used

to create this shape.

3. Servingwomen / maids

These people had an honest

employment, usually by wealthy,

high status people. They wanted

their maids to look great, so

were dressed neatly but plainly.

Possible characters who

would wear this:

BODICE (laced up at back)

COLOUR:

FABRIC:

OVERSKIRT

COLOUR:

FABRIC:

UNDERSKIRT

COLOUR:

FABRIC:

PARTLET OR RUFF

COLOUR:

FABRIC:

4. Noblewomen

Ladies of the court, daughters of

Kings, Dukes or Lords, were all

dressed in rich fabrics and vibrant

colours.

Possible Characters who would

wear this:

5. Queens, Royalty

These were the highest status in

Elizabethan society. High collars,

heavily embroidered and intricate

patterns and fabrics with lace and

jewels hand-woven in. Specific

colours such as gold and purple

were reserved for royalty.

Possible characters: