Golden Brocade Spanish Renaissance Gown

Golden Brocade Spanish Renaissance Gown with Stuart Cap

Historical Context and Occasions

This magnificent garment draws inspiration from the strict yet incredibly rich Spanish Renaissance fashion that dominated European noble courts from roughly the 1550s to the 1580s. The bodice, which extends into a typical sharp point at the waist, optically lengthens and slims the torso. A striking feature is the gathered high collar, a precursor to the later massive ruff, and the intricately cut, heavily puffed long sleeves. The ensemble is crowned by a so-called Stuart cap (also known as a French hood), made famous in the 16th century by Mary, Queen of Scots. Today, you can perfectly utilise this costume for historical balls, Renaissance festivals, theatrical performances, or historical reenactment.

Material and Proper Care

The gown is precisely sewn from heavy brocade, composed of 70% polyester and 30% metallic fibre. The advantage of this synthetic brocade is its excellent shape retention, high resistance to creasing, and above all, the beautiful metallic shine that gives the dress a luxurious and opulent appearance. To preserve the beauty of the fabric and prevent damage to the metallic threads, the garment requires specific care. Under no circumstances should you machine wash or tumble dry the gown. We exclusively recommend professional dry cleaning. If the dress must be ironed, do so only from the reverse side on the lowest temperature setting through a protective cotton cloth to avoid scorching the metallic fibres. Further guidance can be found in our instructions for cleaning and maintenance.

How to Wear the Gown and Safety

To achieve the perfect historical silhouette, we recommend wearing a light linen or cotton petticoat and a Renaissance corset underneath the dress. Putting on the gown requires the assistance of a second person due to the back lacing. Be prepared that the long, wide skirt reaching the floor requires some practice for a dignified walk. From a safety perspective, be very careful when walking down stairs so you do not trip over the hem of the skirt. As the material is predominantly synthetic, keep a safe distance from open flames; there is a risk of the fabric melting irreversibly. We recommend you complete this garment with period leather shoes and a pearl necklace corresponding to the fashion of the second half of the 16th century. Please note that the men's and children's costumes shown in the photographs are not included in the delivery.

Custom Colours and Sizes

This costume is made to order in other colours according to these fabric swatches. Please note the desired colour(s) in the comment field of your order. Always provide (1) the swatch number, (2) the colour letter, and (3) the name of the colour. If a fabric with a different composition is chosen, there may be a change in price. Any price change will be consulted with you prior to processing the order.

The garment is available in standard sizes according to this chart. It can also be perfectly tailored to measure without any surcharge. In that case, please fill out this measurement chart after completing the order.

Product Parameters