… the padded under armor for men that influenced tailors though to develop an outerwear for both men and women.  A diagonal basting stitch called the “padding stitch” began the art of corset making. The “Jack”, a stout leather jerkin with attached metal studded sleeves and thigh sections, is believed …

.. wore armored undergarments like the iron “bodies”.  Because it was worn only by women of the ruling classes, it is believed these were women of political power who actually needed protection such as armor against people who wished them harm.  They were worn with petticoats over them, in thick …

 as “The Body” While the iron and steel corset of the Renaissance is believed by some to have begun as an orthapaedic device, examples are more indicative that it was first worn as a female representation of armor, to raise the power and status of women at the time. (Photos: …

…in European countries, the fashionable silhouette became straight and tight on both men and women.  This culturally represented a masculine position. (Painting:  1529 Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon in full masculine robes with gorgeous prints, textures, and saturated colors)

…in history, patterns were woven into fabric.  Through Venice, Italy, Europe imported Oriental silks and velvets, with intricate designs and weaves.  This made Italy a central “power” of “fashion” at the time. (Portrait: beautiful designs like the favorite pomegranite were woven into rich fabrics with deep colors in the late …

….is credited with the invention of the “busc”, the first artifically added supports to the body.  Spain is credited with the “farthingale”, the first artifical aid to a skirt.  It is said that Catherine of Aragon brought these two fashions to England, while Italian wars with the French kings Charles …

… the long, spiring, Medieval lines of fashion had stretched to their limits with peaked shoes, tall hats, and vertical lines.  As the 16th century (year 1500) approached, the silhouette broadened and widened.  The Renaissance “style” spread from the south in Spain and Italy towards northern European countries. (Painting: 1470 …

..power and political (and so fashion) influence went from Italy to Central Europe, and then to Britain.  Each region refined and changed the concept of the individual as pursuing personal success, or as pawns to greater powers. (Sketch: 1483-1495 fashion followed changing power through Charles VIII of England and Louis …

…fashion followed Power.  Where the Middle Ages were religious, the Renaissance was considered a secular (non-religious) era.  Rather than a focus on class and groups, it was a movement praising individualism over the Church in measuring things. (Sketch: Secularism in 15th century Renaissance fashion)

… “cotte”, an old French word for any close-fitting garment.  (Today the French word cote means “next to” or “rib”).  Various garment names were evolved from this: petticoat, waistcoat, etc.  When the word “corset” was used, it meant an outer garment, and was not at all associated with the later …