Menswear Fashion History (1400-1450)

  • Doublets
    1405

    Doublets

    Doublets were fitted garments with two layers of cloth, either padded or quilted, that developed alongside plate armor as a layer of protection under the breastplate.
  • Houppelandes
    1416

    Houppelandes

    The houppelande was made of the finest foreign wools and velvets available and was often decorated elaborately with gold embellishments and personal emblems. These items of clothing were only worn by French royalty.
  • Dressed in Black
    1420

    Dressed in Black

    Around this time, more rich middle-class men began to dress in all black. This was due in part to the fact that red fabrics had been reserved strictly for royalty only.
  • Hosiery
    1435

    Hosiery

    As doublets became shorter and tighter, hose began to reach the waist rather than the hips and was sewn into a single garment with a pouch or flap to cover the front opening which would eventually become the famous codpiece.
  • Sleeves
    1444

    Sleeves

    Sleeves were becoming much fuller and puffier. They looked quite stylish when dressed with a large chaperon.