This study as one of a series of systematic studies about dancing costumes will compare the costumes of the middle age with their normal style of dress. In brief, this study wants people to know about middle age dancing costumes and understand the cul...
This study as one of a series of systematic studies about dancing costumes will compare the costumes of the middle age with their normal style of dress. In brief, this study wants people to know about middle age dancing costumes and understand the culture in the middle ages. It was found that people`s everyday clothes in the middle age such as Surcot, Surcot-ouvert, Pourpoint, Houppelande were wsed as dancing costumes. They were, however, changed from the public`s clothes which were tight and long. Rather than wearing costume over others, dancers wore costumes which had slits on skirt or sleeves to increase motion. With the Wild Man of the Wood`s which only nobles used for their dancing costumes, costumers highlighted the beauty of human body. There were various costume materials used in the middle ages like silk, cotton fabrics, linen or brocade. These materials were used for Surcot and Pourpoint as dancing costumes. The naturalness of nature or geometric patterns also was expressed on the costumes. Further about those patterns, because the development of stained glass, vivid colors were used especially red, light green, blue etc. As for the hair styles used, dancers let their hair down and put a jeweled crown over their hair. In summation, dancers wore the same clothes that normal people did, but the costumes were different depending on social status and gender. The costumes of ordinary people`s were based upon ordinary clothes that moved and emphasized the dynamic motion. On the other side, the court dancers` costumes were very fancy, symbolizing a measurement of nobles` from wealth and authority, as well as an expression of a sense of beauty. The main features of middle ages follows. : To emphasize vitality, there were long slits on the side of skirt. Hair decorations and jewels are more used than in the ancient age`s. To hide a dancer`s social status, they could use a mask. Wild Man of the Wood`s was used for the body makeup. All these features of the dancing costumes must contribute to the progress of the dance in the middle age`s.