Women's Italian Renaissance Velvet

Women's Italian Renaissance Velvet and Brocade Dress

The Elegance of the Italian Renaissance

The historical model for this garment dates back to the High and Late Italian Renaissance, specifically the 15th and 16th centuries. During this time, fashion in wealthy Italian cities was characterised by immense luxury and ostentation. The clothing of noblewomen and the wives of wealthy patricians was tailored from the most expensive materials. A characteristic element of the fashion of that time is the decorative slashes on the sleeves and bodice, through which a fine white undergarment, known as a camicia, historically peeked through in a refined manner. A long skirt is richly gathered into the narrow slashed bodice. The sleeves are elegantly sectioned, and their balloon part is also decorated with period slashes. The golden braid gives the entire ensemble a truly royal appearance. The costume also includes a beautifully decorated period hat (cap) with a fine veil, which will bring your Renaissance look to absolute perfection. The garment is ideal for portraying a highborn noblewoman or a wealthy burgher.

Technical Specifications and Materials

Available Sizes and Colours

We will custom make this Italian Renaissance dress for you in other colours according to these fabric swatches upon request. Please note the desired colour in the comment box of your order. Always state (1) the swatch number, (2) the colour letter, and (3) the colour name. If a fabric with a different composition is chosen, the price may change. We will consult any potential price change with you before processing the order.

The garment is available in standard sizes according to this size chart. We will tailor the dress exactly to your measurements without any surcharge. In this case, please fill out this measurement chart after completing the order.

Costume Care and Safety Guidelines

The brocade with a metallic fibre blend is lightweight but highly resistant to snags and abrasion. Thanks to the addition of elastane, the artificial velvet adapts beautifully to your figure and does not restrict movement. To preserve the luxurious appearance and the golden details, the product must be cleaned with extreme care. We highly recommend having the dress cleaned by a professional dry cleaner, or washing it only very gently by hand in lukewarm water. Machine washing or tumble drying would lead to irreversible damage to the metallic fibres and the velvet structure. Ironing is possible only on a very low temperature setting and exclusively from the reverse side. For more details, please visit our cleaning and maintenance instructions. For safety reasons, be highly cautious when moving near open flames and candles at balls. Synthetic materials are easily flammable, presenting a severe risk of ignition and burns!

Recommended Accessories

For an absolutely authentic 16th-century impression, we highly recommend you wear a thin white undergarment (camicia) beneath this dress, the fabric of which can historically accurately peek out from the slashes on the sleeves. Rich pearl necklaces, massive gold jewellery, period leather shoes, and a folding fan also match the dress excellently. Please note that the jewellery and necklaces shown in the photographs are not included in the delivery.