Why did Shakespeare deem saffron ruffs ‘villainous’? Who wore a vizard mask, and why? And What did an Elizabethan gentleman keep in his codpiece, or use to pad his hose?
Join us for an evening with historian of beauty Sarah Jane Downing as she delves into the bold, bizarre, and often extreme fashion and beauty trends of the Elizabethan era. From dangerously wide farthingales to elaborate stiffened ruffs, this talk explores the lengths men and women went to in pursuit of style, status, and symbolism.
Drawing from her richly illustrated book Fashion in the Time of William Shakespeare, Sarah Jane reveals the secrets behind powdered faces, perfumed accessories, and padded hose — offering insight into what these trends said about gender, identity, and society in the English Renaissance.
Expect surprising facts, colourful characters, and a fresh perspective on one of history’s most extravagantly dressed periods. Whether you’re a lover of costume history, theatre, or simply fascinated by the strange and sumptuous, this is a talk not to be missed.
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Sarah Jane Downing is an author and freelance journalist with a particular passion for the history of fashion and beauty. Preferring to take an intimate and personal view of the great events that have shaped the path of history, and the impact they have had on individual lives.
She has written widely about the arts, contributing to national and local magazines and newspapers as well as six books: The English Pleasure Garden 1660-1860, Fashion in the Time of Jane Austen, Beauty and Cosmetics 1550-1950, Fashion in the Time of William Shakespeare, Pastimes and Pleasures in the Time of Jane Austen, and Beauty and Cosmetics in the Time of Jane Austen which will be published in October.
| Ticket | Event time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
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RUFFS, CODPIECES & POISONED POMANDERS
Fashion & Beauty in the Elizabethan Era |
19:00 - 20:30 | £12.00 |
Address
The Century Club, 61 - 63, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6LQ
Nearest Station
Piccadilly Circus (Tube)
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