How to make medieval wedding dresses

Medieval dress is actually pretty simple, so it's relatively easy to do it well. This section has lots of info on making medieval wedding dresses – and on medieval outfits for the guys, too.

Medieval dresses are beautiful, elegant and romantic, but they're also pretty simple in terms of their construction, which is great news for brides on a budget. Any competent dressmaker will be able to make a medieval wedding dress, if they have the right information – which is what this page is for!

I'm going to assume you're going to want the kind of gorgeous gown that a noble bride might have worn, rather than peasant gear. Rich fabrics, then, are the order of the day. Velvet was new and popular – if you're going for velvet, silk velvet is the best thing, it can be pretty expensive, but cotton velvet won't flow or hang so well. But avoid crushed velvet if possible – it's a later invention. I don't recommend you go for any kind of synthetic – synthetics don't breathe, and you don't want to spend your wedding day feeling sticky. Brocade is great too. Silks in general are good, but slubbed silks like dupion are another later invention (to the medieval eye they would have looked very coarse). Medieval fabrics were mostly heavier than modern ones, so if you want the folds of your gown to hang like they do in the pictures, look for something relatively heavy.

Medieval brides didn't wear white – that tradition didn't start till the 19th century – so you have complete free reign with colour for your medieval wedding dress (strong, rich colours were most popular – dye was expensive, so strong colour was the fashion).

Styles of medieval dress

Basic kirtle and gown

The kirtle, the basic medieval dress, is cut in rectangles, and has long straight sleeves. It's often worn with a fancier overtunic.  More info and pictures

Bliaut

The bliaut is a rich, full overgown made of fine silk, laced tight down the sides of the body, with long, hanging sleeves.  More info and pictures

Cotehardie

The cotehardie is another figure-hugging gown, this time with tight sleeves and a buttoned or laced front.  More info and pictures

Houppelande

The houpplelande is a later gown, long and full and worn belted above the waist.  More info and pictures

Sideless surcoat

The sideless surcoat is cut away at the sides to reveal a tighly-fitted undergown, and often shows heraldic colours.  More info and pictures

Underwear

A simple linen shift for women and a shirt for men.  More info and pictures