Dramatic political, economic, technological, and social changes marked nearly every facet of European life in the 1300's, including fashion

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Dramatic political, economic, technological, and social changes marked nearly every facet of European life in the 1300's, including fashion. For at least 1,000 years, both men and women had almost always worn some version of the simple draped tunic or gown. In the 1300's, however, fashion developed in ways that even people of the time described as strange and extreme.

Several new techniques for clothing construction contributed to the change. One was the set-in sleeve, which uses a curved armhole to improve fit. Previously, sleeves were an extension of the upper part of a garment.

Another innovation was the use of rows of buttons for fastening. These developments enabled people to fit garments tightly to the body and even manipulate the shape of the body. For example, men padded their chests and wore short tunics to show off shapely legs clad in brightly colored hose. Women's gowns grew increasingly tighter, emphasizing a raised bosom, narrow ribcage, and expansive, rounded belly. By the end of the 1300's, however, the tight, revealing styles had given way to heavy, draped gowns with long dragging trains and sleeves. Such gowns were designed to show that the wearer was wealthy enough to afford huge amounts of expensive fabric.