\paperw19995 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \pard\tx8790\ATXts240\ATXbrdr0 \f1 Opulence and luxury were the chief characteristics of the dresses worn by Renaissance noblewom
en. The dresses were made from the most costly stuffs, brocades interwoven with gold and silver thread and decorated with plant motifs such as pinecones, thistles or pomegranates, symbols of immortality and fertility. In the sixteenth century women were
given a more regal appearance through the use of the corset, a French invention, which became highly fashionable in spite of its unnatural compression of the belly which could be detrimental to the wearerÆs health.\par
In the seventeenth century garmen
ts were characterized by their soft and often bizarre lines. Chemises made of fine fabric peeped out from under the heavy overgarment: they were bordered with lace and adjusted by elaborate ties.\par
Lace and embroidered collars grew larger and larger.
In the eighteenth century the dresses worn by women were characterized by \i panniers\i0 , which stretched their skirts sideways and hampered their movements.\b \par
\b0 With the arrival of neoclassicism, fashion adapted to the new style, too, and wome
n began to wear the classical tunic known as \i α la romaine\i0 or \i α la vestale\i0 .\par
By the mid-nineteenth century Paris had become the capital of fashion. Dresses were characterized by the \i crinoline\i0 , or \i hoop petticoat\i0 , a cage of
metal hoops that made the skirt spread out from the waist and was typical of womanÆs fashion from the 1830s to the 1860s.\par
\pard\ATXts240\ATXbrdr0 Crinolines were widely used for both evening and daytime wear. A popular accessory throughout
the century was the parasol or ladyÆs umbrella, carried on walks.
