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Renaissance Sleeves and Accessories

This page shows some examples of renaissance sleeves that we can make for you. It also shows some of the ways that using the same style, with different fabrics and trims, can make a sleeve style work for you.

As usual you may click on the photographs or their descriptions to see more pictures and read more details of our renaissance sleeves.

To see more photographs of the Renaissance Gown of your choice
Please click on the photos or gown description of your choice.

Claret Red Pearled Renaissance Sleeves	Gold Silk Bias Cut Renaissance Sleeves
Black Silk Bias Cut Renaissance Sleeves	Black Bee Pattern Renaissance Sleeves

More Renaissance Sleeves Information

A usual practice in the 16th century was to have alternate sets of sleeves for one's gown. In fact sleeves were so important they were often given as gifts and even inherited. Considered a very important fashion statement, a change of sleeves can make the same gown you wore last year appear new, or give you more than one look with out having to pack several gowns. Just as contemporary times have "mix and match" apparel it this was also true in the 1500's.

Another more pratical consideration is the "airing out" of sleeves. If one wears a set of sleeves one day at faire for example, one may find after a hot day that an alterante set of sleeves not only changes the appearence of one's gown but also gives the first set a chance to dry out. This has the added benefit of making your sleeves last longer. Changing out your sleeves and underskirt or fore panel when traveling means that one needs only to bring one gown and still have look beautiful and attract the attention of admirers. A very period way of dressing during the renaissance. The sleeves offered here are made to tie onto your bodice with rings and ribbon which can be added to the sleeves. They are intended to spice up your wardrobe.

If you would like a custom matching forepanel to go along with a set of sleeves please email me.

Renaissance Sleeves And Sumptuary Laws

During the Italian Renaissance people went quite mad with their sleeves. A year's income for a noble might be spent on just one pair. The sleeves were embroidered and jeweled in intricate patterns. Not that they didn't pay attention to other parts of their clothing, but it was the sleeves that they really loved. While we certainly admire the nod to fashion the cost to the economy was high.

Instead of investing their income back into their lands, some of the nobles had become so interested in fashion that sumptuary laws were put into place. The reasons for this were predominantly economical. If one put all one's income into their clothing none was being spent on horses, military and the food to feed the soldiers. A strong defense was always needed. Additionally there were many lost business investments. So the sumptuary laws were put into place to keep business going.

In order to put a stop to this out pouring of money into clothing, the sumptuary laws were enacted. Certainly this was not the first time a society had chosen to do so. Sumptuary laws had existed even in Ancient Egypt. And this leads one to believe that people throughout out time liked to look their very best. Obviously our own society has a propensity to spending on designer clothing and fancy cars.
The Italian sumptuary laws governed how much one could spend on their sleeves by the economic and social rank of a particular family.

A bit of side bar musings about why Italian sleeves might have been the popular fashion choice

Simply put, new and beautiful fabrics were becoming much more available. The ability to have these fabrics made into fabulous clothing was much more affordable. Aesthetics of art, music and beauty were held in very high esteem. So why sleeves? Because one could make them as dramatic as possible using a smaller amount of space. If one went just as wild with embellishing gowns for example, there would have been much more space to have covered and made them prohibitively expensive.

Another factor most likely was the fact that sleeves could be exchanged, given as gifts and were even part of inheritances. Due to the amount of workmanship and jewels sewn onto these sleeves they were very valuable. So the competition for the best sleeves would show status both financially and aesthetically. Besides, wouldn't you rather keep your wealth on your sleeves, rather than hidden in a box?