Why I love BAROQUE fashion (17th century)

Summary

A lively, humorous romp through 17th-century Baroque fashion and history, narrated by Teresa. She situates the style amid the turmoil of the Thirty Years’ War, the Counter-Reformation, and England’s Civil War — Cromwell’s dour rule versus the Restoration glamour of Charles II. The video highlights how politics and partying shaped clothing: loose Mantuas, billowy gold-and-blue gowns, sloping collars, pearls, rakish wide-brim hats, dashing men’s doublets and capes, and the rise of wigs. Along the way Teresa sprinkles cultural notes (Samuel Pepys, Forever Amber), art obsessions, and playful commentary on Baroque maximalism versus Puritan minimalism.

Takeaways

• 😀 Baroque fashion emerged in the 17th century, characterized by extravagant and ornate clothing, reflecting a time of both political turmoil and cultural flourishing in Europe.
• 😀 The Baroque era was influenced by major historical events like the Thirty Years' War, the Counter-Reformation, and the English Civil War, which sparked a conflict between minimalism and maximalism in culture.
• 😀 The Baroque period saw a cultural divide between 'Roundheads' (Puritans) advocating for minimalism and 'Royalists' or 'Cavaliers' embracing maximalism with lavish fashion and material wealth.
• 😀 The era's fashion was defined by voluminous, billowy silhouettes, with both men's and women's clothing featuring loose, flowing fabrics, lace, and lavish details.
• 😀 Women's fashion in the Baroque period included the Mantua gown, a loose, draping garment that replaced the stiff, layered outfits of the Elizabethan era, with gold and blue being popular colors.
• 😀 Hair during the Baroque period was styled with a center part and tight, pressed hair, often adorned with ringlets. Women also wore wide-brimmed hats, similar to those worn by men, to complement their hairstyles.
• 😀 Men's fashion reflected a dashing, Three Musketeers-inspired style, with lace collars, doublets, wide-brimmed hats, and billowy sleeves. Facial hair, including wispy mustaches, was also common.
• 😀 The Baroque era celebrated body diversity, with portraits often depicting women with fuller figures, showcasing a body-positive approach compared to later periods.
• 😀 Accessories such as pearls, rosettes, and elaborate hats were essential to both men's and women's fashion during the Baroque period, symbolizing wealth and status.
• 😀 Literature during the Baroque period saw the rise of the novel, with works like Daniel Defoe's *Robinson Crusoe* and *Moll Flanders*, as well as Samuel Pepys' famous diaries documenting historical events like the Great Fire of London.

Q & A

What is Baroque fashion, and why is it significant?

Baroque fashion refers to the elaborate and ornate clothing styles from the 17th century, particularly the 1600s. It emerged during a time of social upheaval in Europe, including the 30 Years War and the English Civil War. The fashion reflects the cultural and political changes of the era, emphasizing opulence, volume, and intricate details. It is significant because it marked a departure from previous simpler fashion styles, embracing maximalism over minimalism.

What historical context influenced Baroque fashion?

Baroque fashion was influenced by the tumultuous historical period of the 1600s, including the 30 Years War, the rise of absolutism, and the Counter-Reformation. In England, the English Civil War also played a significant role, with a division between the maximalists (those who embraced opulence and excess) and the minimalists (Puritans who favored simplicity). This conflict mirrored the tension in fashion, between elaborate and restrained clothing.

What is the difference between maximalism and minimalism in Baroque fashion?

Maximalism in Baroque fashion embraced lavishness, such as intricate detailing, rich fabrics, and the display of wealth through garments like gold-trimmed gowns and lavish accessories. Minimalism, on the other hand, as represented by Puritans or 'Round Heads', involved simple, unadorned clothing, often in dark colors, without elaborate accessories or decorations. This conflict between the two styles mirrored broader societal debates of the time.

What was the role of Charles II in shaping the fashion of the Baroque period?

Charles II, also known as the 'Merry Monarch', was pivotal in restoring fun and luxury to England after the austere rule of Oliver Cromwell. His reign brought back celebrations, theaters, and indulgence in pleasure, all of which influenced fashion. During his time, women's fashion became more sumptuous, with looser and more flowing garments, and men embraced a dashing, Three Musketeers-inspired look.

How did the Mantua gown influence women's fashion during the Baroque era?

The Mantua was a loose, flowing gown that replaced the more rigid, structured styles of earlier periods. It was easy to wear and represented a departure from the complex, layered outfits of the Elizabethan era. The gown's fluidity and the use of vibrant colors like gold and blue reflected the opulent and celebratory atmosphere of the Baroque period.

What were some common accessories in Baroque fashion?

Baroque fashion was rich in accessories. Women often adorned themselves with pearls, which were placed in their hair, on their dresses, or as standalone jewelry. Rosettes, large wide-brimmed hats, and lavish ribbons were also popular. Men wore wide-brimmed hats with feathers or buckles, lace collars, and a variety of belts and sashes, such as the 'Baldrick', for carrying weapons.

What was the typical hairstyle for men and women during the Baroque period?

For women, the hairstyle was characterized by a center part with tightly pressed hair, followed by ringlets, often arranged to accommodate wide-brimmed hats. Men typically had shoulder-length curly hair, styled in a wispy, relaxed manner. Wigs were also common, especially for the elite, as seen in the later evolution of powdered wigs in the 18th century.

How did Baroque fashion reflect societal values of the time?

Baroque fashion was a direct reflection of the period's values of excess and opulence. During a time of war, political upheaval, and religious tension, the emphasis on extravagant clothing served as a statement of power and wealth. It was also a celebration of human indulgence and the sensory experience of life, as evidenced by the use of rich fabrics, elaborate detailing, and bold accessories.

What was the impact of the Baroque period on modern fashion?

The Baroque period had a lasting influence on modern fashion, particularly in terms of extravagance and the use of elaborate detailing. Elements such as ornate embroidery, luxurious fabrics, voluminous silhouettes, and lavish accessories can be seen in contemporary high fashion. The emphasis on beauty, excess, and drama during the Baroque era continues to inspire designers in various periods of history.

What role did literature play in the Baroque era?

During the Baroque era, literature evolved with the rise of novels and diaries. Works such as Daniel Defoe's *Robinson Crusoe* and *Moll Flanders* were significant, reflecting personal journeys and the exploration of life outside the confines of one's village. The period also saw the rise of diaries, such as those by Samuel Pepys, who documented important events like the Great Fire of London. These literary forms captured the personal and social struggles of the time.