Archive for June, 2013

The history of the medieval crown, or the practice of decorating the head of a leader, is not unique to the Middle Ages. Adorning a noble person’s head with a symbol of their lofty status extends far back into antiquity. Early, less ornate, versions of crowns – called diadems – were popular in ancient Egypt, Greece, and other Mediterranean civilizations, including the Persians.

The medieval crown we would recognize today originated in England where kings were presented with an ornamental helmet as a symbol of their sovereignty. As time passed, embellishments were added to the crown, including its distinctive ornaments and arches, and the incorporation of precious jewels to the crowns of Europe. Crowns were often the symbol of monarchies and empires as the centuries passed.

In the twenty-first century, crowned monarchs have become rare. The medieval crowns that once commanded supreme authority still evoke awe and wonder today in the museums and cathedrals where they are kept on public display. The crown jewels and golden ornamentation of these antique treasures is just as powerful in our times of technological prowess as they were in the Dark Ages. Add a medieval crown from PearsonsRenaissanceShoppe.com to your wardrobe and adopt the grandeur and royal airs of the monarchs!

While some medieval clothing is better left in the Dark Ages for everyday wear, there’s plenty of medieval fashion that we’d love to see made popular again. For instance, Hollywood stars and your party friends alike would look great and have more fun in a capitano hat than in their regular baseball caps!

Today, extravagant dresses are reserved for formal occasions, and not often worn as women go about their daily business. But we would love to see flowing dresses in the medieval fashion style come back into the mainstream. In the modern “less is more” clothing industry, models are chosen for their body style rather than their grace and elegance. Bringing back medieval fashion would go some way toward redressing that balance.

While we’re not likely to be wearing bodices and chain mail every day, both women and men could use a return to the capes and cloaks of old days. Staying warm and looking fashionable in a cape or cloak is much more formal and eye-catching than the pea coats and jackets we wear today. Perhaps it’s time to return to a grander, epic style of clothing than the minimalism of many of our modern fashionistas.

Now you know some of our favorite medieval fashion pieces that we’ d like to see return, maybe even with a modern twist. What are some articles of clothing from the Middle Ages that you’d like to see return to fashion?