Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws

Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws were regulations established during Queen Elizabeth I's reign to control clothing and material costs among different social classes. They dictated what fabrics, colors, and styles individuals could wear based on their wealth and status, aiming to reinforce social hierarchy and prevent lower classes from dressing like the aristocracy. For example, only royalty and nobles could wear certain luxurious materials or colors like purple and gold. These laws helped maintain social order and reflected the importance placed on appearance and class distinctions in Elizabethan society.