During the Middle Ages most people wore clothing made of wool. Undergarments were often made of linen. People rarely cleaned their outer garments, but the linen clothing was cleaned regularly. Unlike the Roman clothes which were just wrapped and tied around the body, the clothes during the Middle Ages were cut and sewn to fit. They had necklines, bodices, sleeves, waists, and legs.
During Medieval Times people bathed less often than we do today, but many towns had public bathhouses. Along with soap made from animal fat and ashes, people used herbs such as lavender flowers and mint. These herbs helped keep fleas away. Fleas were a problem since many items were stuffed with straw.
Peasant men wore tunics. The tunics were usually knee length. The women wore long dresses with sleeves, often with an apron. Cloaks made from sheepskin, woolen hats, and mittens were worn in the winter. Leather boots were an important piece of clothing. Many of the boots were mid-calf length with turned down or rolled tops.
Wealthy men and women wore brighter colors than the peasants. The men wore tunics. Nobles often wore long, ankle-length robes, but during the fourteenth century many men's fashions became shorter, with fitted jackets worn over tights called hose. These were often made of velvet or damask. The men also wore stockings made from wool or silk. During more formal occasions men would wear loose, sleeveless outer garments called mantles. These were at times embroidered with gold or silver threads. The mantles could even have jewels on them or be lined with fur.
Wealthy women wore ankle length gowns. During the early Middle Ages the gowns were full and loose fitting. The gown had a round neck with a split so it would fit over the head. During the fourteenth century the gowns had fitted bodices with long flowing skirts. The sleeves of these gowns were tight and could have fifty buttons on each arm.
The wealthy often lined their garments with furs. Diamonds became popular in Europe in the fourteenth century. Cutting diamonds with many flat sides, called facets, developed during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.
Monks wore long woolen habits. The order the monk belonged to could be determined by the color of the habit. For example, the Benedictines wore black and the Cistercians wore undyed wool or white.
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