Fashion and Armour in Renaissance Europe: Proud Lookes and Brave Attire

Of all the riches of the sixteenth-century European nobleman, none spoke more powerfully of his heroism, wealth, and taste than his armor, clothing, and weapons. Drawing on the Victoria and Albert Museum’s popular arms and armor collection―which includes the armor of such notables as Henry IV of France and Philip III of Spain--Angus Patterson looks at the suits designed to kill, protect, and impress.
 
Here are parade suits, lavishly embossed and gilded, decorated with plumes of ostrich feathers, and draped with colorful silk sashes, as well as swords, daggers, pistols, and gunpowder flasks slung from elaborate belts.  Paintings, sculpture, and beautiful new photographs―including many close-up details―bring this very particular aspect of Medieval and Renaissance fashion to life.

Angus Patterson is Curator of European Arms and Armour and Base Metals at the V&A, responsible for collections of armour,weapons, pewter, brass, cutlery, cut steel, Sheffield
Plate and electrotypes. He publishes and lectures regularly, and is editor of the Journal of the Antique Metalware Society.