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Womens True Religion Skinny Jeans-036 experienced a remarkable revolution. The medieval period (roughly 400s to beginning of the 1500s) is a prime era in which to study how social structures and outside forces influence and change the clothing worn by people. In the beginning of the era, medieval clothing styles did not change very much. The styles reflected the clothing worn in the fallen Roman Empire and practicality as demanded by medieval life. By the final stages of the era, Europeans developed increasingly intricate styles of clothing; styles used more and more to make social statements. During Roman rule, Europe had stable market systems and maintained roads. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, most of these advantages faded away due to struggles between invading factions. From the 400s to the 900s, particularly in Northern Europe, ethnic groups roamed around, occupying and dominating their neighbors. The far-reaching markets and roads of the Romans waned throughout Europe. Consequently, the steady outflow and inflow of products with other locations slowed considerably. During the first part of the medieval period, Europeans constructed their clothes with the products in their possession, typically wool, linen, and hemp. Some silk filtered in from the east. While the tunics of the lower and upper classes were similar in style, the upper classes dressed in higher quality clothing. In this period, clothing fashions changed slowly because the inflow of new ideas, materials and wealth was minor.Around the 1100s, clothing in Europe started to transform. By this time, people and civilization had become more stable and the events necessary for a fashion revolution occurred. First, organized governments established themselves, providing focal points for style and the wealth to purchase finer materials.(1) In addition, markets became more organized and travel began to occur more often. Second, the crusades started in the late 1000s, resulting in the introduction of eastern clothing materials and styles to Europe. Third, guilds were organized which specialized in the weaving of cloth and the tailoring of clothes.(2) Due to the guilds, a workforce developed with specialized skills related to clothing. New materials and styles became available. Fourth, cloth became one of the primary products of Europe.(3) Thanks to the inflow of novel clothing styles, fabrics, ideas and wealth, fashion for the sake of establishing social rank exploded. Clothing for the upper class and affluent merchants transformed frequently. As the medieval period turned into the renaissance period, sleeves, cape hoods, and shoes became longer and hats for women were tall and exaggerated.(4) Sumptuary laws began to appear.(5) The laws were meant to limit the quantity of money spent on clothing and the acquisition of particular fabrics to the upper class; thus maintaining divisions between social ranks. Clothing for the lower classes and peasants changed little, still driven by the need for practical work clothes and affordable materials.In conclusion, during the beginning of the medieval period (400s to 1000s) clothing styles changed little for upper and lower classes due to limited resources, market disruptions, and the need for practical clothing. During the end of the medieval period (1100s to the 1500s), clothing styles changed rapidly for the upper classes and merchants due to increased resources, secure markets, and social competition. Lower class clothing remained mostly the same due to the need for practical clothing. Sources:1. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast, Early Cultures Across the Globe (Vol. 2: Fashion, Costume, and Culture) (New York: The Gale Group, 2004), 298.2. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast, Early Cultures Across the Globe (Vol. 2)..., 299.3. Philip Steele, The Medieval World: A History of Fashion and Costume (New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2005), 16. 4. Philip Steele, The Medieval World... , 21.5. Philip Steele, The Medieval World... , 21. Womens True Religions Bootcut Jeans005