Early medieval Europe History of clothing and textiles

edgar of england in short tunic, hose, , cloak, 966

european dress changed gradually in years 400 1100. people in many countries dressed differently depending on whether identified old romanised population, or new invading populations such franks, anglo-saxons, , visigoths. men of invading peoples wore short tunics, belts, , visible trousers, hose or leggings. romanised populations, , church, remained faithful longer tunics of roman formal costume.

the elite imported silk cloth byzantine, , later muslim, worlds, , cotton. afford bleached linen , dyed , patterned wool woven in europe itself. embroidered decoration widespread, though not detectable in art. lower classes wore local or homespun wool, undyed, trimmed bands of decoration, variously embroidery, tablet-woven bands, or colorful borders woven fabric in loom.