In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion

Fascinating exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery looking at the history of Tudor and Stuart dress through pictures and objects in the Royal Collection.

In each section there were information boards explaining the men and women’s fashion in a particular period, labeling all the main features and explaining how things had changed since the previous board. These were then surrounded by pictures, documents and items of clothing. There were also good explanations on the audio tour of how the clothes worked and how they were kept clean.

It was fascinating to see how people were pinned, tied and sewn into their clothes each day. It must have taken ages to get ready and the clothes must have been so heavy and uncomfortable. I also loved the fact that the labels pointed out major pieces of jewelry and told you which other pictures they had appeared in.

I was amazed at two portraits of Frances Stuart, one a classic Lely Windsor Beauty portrait, the other of her dresses as a man! Evidently this was quite a fashion trend so maybe Orlando is not as fantastical as we think.

Favorite pieces included the lovely bust of a child thought to be Henry VIII as a baby and a stunning Rembrandt of Agatha Bas with amazing lace.

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