Sumptuary practices

Sumptuary practices refer to laws or regulations that restrict what people can wear or possess based on their social status, wealth, or class. Historically, these rules aimed to maintain social hierarchy and promote moral conduct by controlling excess and luxury, ensuring that certain styles, fabrics, or colors were reserved for specific groups, like nobility. For example, in medieval Europe, only royals might wear particular kinds of fur or intricate clothing designs. These practices reflect cultural values and the desire to uphold distinctions within society, influencing everything from fashion to economic behavior.