Fashions changed every year due to
the introduction of cheaper, lighter, and less durable cloths by
immigrant craftsmen. When Elizabeth became old, she had a wig made
to match her youthful long red hair. Other ladies then began
wearing wigs.
Every few years, Elizabeth issued a proclamation reminding people
of the apparel laws and reiterating certain provisions which had
been disregarded. For instance, only the royal family and dukes
and marquises in mantles of the garter could wear the color
purple. One had to be at least an earl to wear gold or silver or
sable. Only dukes, marquises, earls and their children, barons,
and knights of the order could wear imported wool, velvet,
crimson, scarlet, or blue, or certain furs. Except that barons'
sons, knights, or men that could dispend at least 200 pounds
yearly could wear velvet in gowns or coats, embroidery, and furs
of leopards. Spurs, swords, rapiers, daggers, and woodknives were
restricted to knights and barons' sons or higher. A man who could
dispend at least 100 pounds per year could wear taffeta, satin,
damask, or cloth made of camels' hair and silk, in his outer
garments. One had to be the son and heir or the daughter of a
knight or wife of said son or a man who could dispend 20 pounds
yearly or had 200 pounds worth in goods to wear silk in one's hat,
bonnet, nightcap, girdle, scabbard, or hose. Yeomen, husbandmen,
serving men, and craftsmen were very restricted in what they could
wear.
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