Sumptuary Statutes Simplified

This is a simplification of the 1574 Elizabethan Sumptuary Statutes for use designing authentic garb.

Please note that the statutes are quite specific regarding acceptable versus improper usage. If something is not specifically called out and you know it to be period it's probably fine.

Look for your rank on this list, everything mentioned in the statutes for your rank is stated here. If your character is of lower rank than appears on this list follow all rules that apply to the lowest rank. Keep in mind whether your character could have afforded all the items which they are allowed

My humble thanks to the folks at elizabethan.org from whom I got the text of the original statutes. For the original text check out elizabethan.org/sumptuary/index.html

Mens Sumptuary Statutes

NONE SHALL WEAR IN HER APPAREL

DUCHESS

· Any silk of the color of purple, except linings of cloaks, gowns, and hose

· Any cloth of gold, tissue, nor fur of sables except in their gowns, kirtles, partlets, and sleeves

·

-DAUGHTER OF A DUKE

· Any silk of the color of purple

· Any cloth of gold, tissue, nor fur of sables except in their gowns, kirtles, partlets, and sleeves

·

MARQUESS

· Any silk of the color of purple

· Any cloth of gold, tissue, nor fur of sables except in their gowns, kirtles, partlets, and sleeves

·

-DAUGHTER OF A MARQUIS

· Any silk of the color of purple

· Any cloth of gold, tissue, nor fur of sables except in their gowns, kirtles, partlets, and sleeves

·

COUNTESS

· Any silk of the color of purple

· Any cloth of gold, tissue, nor fur of sables except in their gowns, kirtles, partlets, and sleeves

·

-DAUGHTER OF AN EARL

· Any silk of the color of purple

· Any cloth of gold, tissue, nor fur of sables

VISCOUNTESS

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves: except in their kirtles and sleeves.

·

-DAUGHTER OF A VISCOUNT

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves: except in their kirtles and sleeves.

·

BARONESS

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves: except in their kirtles and sleeves.

·

-DAUGHTER OF A BARON

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves

· Cowls, sleeves, partlets, and linings, trimmed pearls.

· cowls trimmed with pearl

·

WIFE OF A KNIGHT OF THE GARTER

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables except dukes, marquises, and earls, who may wear the same in doublets, jerkins, linings of cloaks, gowns, and hose; and those of the Garter, purple in mantles only.

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves

· Cowls, sleeves, partlets, and linings, trimmed pearls.

· cowls trimmed with pearl

·

WIFE OF A PRIVY COUNCIL MEMBER

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves

· Cowls, sleeves, partlets, and linings, trimmed pearls.

· cowls trimmed with pearl

·

GENTLEWOMEN ATTENTING UPON HRM'S PRESON IN THE PRIVY CHAMBER, BEDCHAMBER, OR MAIDS OF HONOR

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves

· any velvet in gowns, furs of leopards, embroidery of silk

· Cowls, sleeves, partlets, and linings, trimmed pearls.

· cowls trimmed with pearl

WIFE OF A KNIGHT

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves

· Velvet (crimson, carnation); furs (black genets, lucerns); embroidery or passment lace of gold or silver

· Cowls, sleeves, partlets, and linings, trimmed pearls.

· cowls trimmed with pearl

· Velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, nor any gold or silver in any cloak or safeguard

-DAUGHTER OF A KNIGHT

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves

· Velvet (crimson, carnation); furs (black genets, lucerns); embroidery or passment lace of gold or silver

· any velvet in gowns, furs of leopards, embroidery of silk

· Cowls, sleeves, partlets, and linings, trimmed pearls.

· cowls trimmed with pearl

· any velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, or any gold or silver in their petticoats

· a guard of any silk upon their petticoats

· Velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, nor any gold or silver in any cloak or safeguard

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in any cloak or safeguard

-WIFE OF AN HEIR OF A KNIGHT

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves

· Velvet (crimson, carnation); furs (black genets, lucerns); embroidery or passment lace of gold or silver

· any velvet in gowns, furs of leopards, embroidery of silk

· Cowls, sleeves, partlets, and linings, trimmed pearls.

· cowls trimmed with pearl

· any velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, or any gold or silver in their petticoats

· Velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, nor any gold or silver in any cloak or safeguard

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in any cloak or safeguard

WIFE OF A MAN WITH AN INCOME OF ₤ 300 PER YEAR

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves

· Velvet (crimson, carnation); furs (black genets, lucerns); embroidery or passment lace of gold or silver

· any velvet in gowns, furs of leopards, embroidery of silk

· Cowls, sleeves, partlets, and linings, trimmed with spangles or pearls of gold, silver, or pearl; cowls of gold or silver, or of silk mixed with gold or silver or trimmed with pearl

· Enameled chains, buttons, aglets, and borders: except the degrees before mentioned.

· any velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, or any gold or silver in their petticoats

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in their petticoats

· Velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, nor any gold or silver in any cloak or safeguard

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in any cloak or safeguard

-DAUGHTER OF A MAN WITH AN INCOME OF ₤ 300 PER YEAR

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves

· Velvet (crimson, carnation); furs (black genets, lucerns); embroidery or passment lace of gold or silver

· any velvet in gowns, furs of leopards, embroidery of silk

· Cowls, sleeves, partlets, and linings, trimmed with spangles or pearls of gold, silver, or pearl; cowls of gold or silver, or of silk mixed with gold or silver or trimmed with pearl

· Enameled chains, buttons, aglets, and borders: except the degrees before mentioned.

· any velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, or any gold or silver in their petticoats

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in their petticoats

· Velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, nor any gold or silver in any cloak or safeguard

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in any cloak or safeguard

WIFE OF A MAN WITH AN INCOME OF ₤ 100 PER YEAR

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves

· Velvet (crimson, carnation); furs (black genets, lucerns); embroidery or passment lace of gold or silver

· any velvet in gowns, furs of leopards, embroidery of silk

· Cowls, sleeves, partlets, and linings, trimmed with spangles or pearls of gold, silver, or pearl; cowls of gold or silver, or of silk mixed with gold or silver or trimmed with pearl

· Enameled chains, buttons, aglets, and borders: except the degrees before mentioned.

· any velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, or any gold or silver in their petticoats

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in their petticoats

· Velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, nor any gold or silver in any cloak or safeguard

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in any cloak or safeguard

GENTLEWOMEN ATTENDANT UPON DUCHESSES MARQUISES AND COUNTESSES

· may wear, in their liveries given them by their mistresses, as the wives of those that may dispend £100 by the year and are so valued ut supra.

-DAUGHTER OF A MAN WITH AN INCOME OF ₤ 100 PER YEAR

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves

· Velvet (crimson, carnation); furs (black genets, lucerns); embroidery or passment lace of gold or silver

· any velvet in gowns, furs of leopards, embroidery of silk

· Cowls, sleeves, partlets, and linings, trimmed with spangles or pearls of gold, silver, or pearl; cowls of gold or silver, or of silk mixed with gold or silver or trimmed with pearl

· Enameled chains, buttons, aglets, and borders: except the degrees before mentioned.

· Satin, damask, or tufted taffeta in gowns, kirtles, or velvet in kirtles; fur whereof the kind groweth not within the Queen's dominions, except foins, grey genets, bodge, and wolf:

· any velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, or any gold or silver in their petticoats

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in their petticoats

· Velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, nor any gold or silver in any cloak or safeguard

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in any cloak or safeguard

WIFE OF A MAN WITH AN INCOME OF ₤ 40 PER YEAR

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves

· Velvet (crimson, carnation); furs (black genets, lucerns); embroidery or passment lace of gold or silver

· any velvet in gowns, furs of leopards, embroidery of silk

· Cowls, sleeves, partlets, and linings, trimmed with spangles or pearls of gold, silver, or pearl; cowls of gold or silver, or of silk mixed with gold or silver or trimmed with pearl

· Enameled chains, buttons, aglets, and borders: except the degrees before mentioned.

· Satin, damask, or tufted taffeta in gowns, kirtles, or velvet in kirtles; fur whereof the kind groweth not within the Queen's dominions, except foins, grey genets, bodge, and wolf:

· any velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, or any gold or silver in their petticoats

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in their petticoats

· Velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, nor any gold or silver in any cloak or safeguard

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in any cloak or safeguard

BELOW THIS RANK NONE SHALL WEAR

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with gold or silver or pearl, saving silk mixed with gold or silver in linings of cowls, partlets, and sleeves

· Velvet (crimson, carnation); furs (black genets, lucerns); embroidery or passment lace of gold or silver

· any velvet in gowns, furs of leopards, embroidery of silk

· Cowls, sleeves, partlets, and linings, trimmed with spangles or pearls of gold, silver, or pearl; cowls of gold or silver, or of silk mixed with gold or silver or trimmed with pearl

· Enameled chains, buttons, aglets, and borders: except the degrees before mentioned.

· Satin, damask, or tufted taffeta in gowns, kirtles, or velvet in kirtles; fur whereof the kind groweth not within the Queen's dominions, except foins, grey genets, bodge, and wolf:

· Gowns of silk grosgrain, doubled sarcenet, camlet, or taffeta, or kirtles of satin or damask

· any velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, or any gold or silver in their petticoats

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in their petticoats

· Velvet, tufted taffeta, satin, nor any gold or silver in any cloak or safeguard

· Damask, taffeta, or other silk in any cloak or safeguard

· No persons under the degrees above specified shall wear any guard or welt of silk upon any petticoat, cloak, or safeguard.

A brief content of certain clauses of the statute of King Henry VIII and Queen Mary, with some moderation thereof, to be observed according to her majesty's proclamation above mentioned.

NONE SHALL WEAR IN HIS APPAREL

DUKE

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables except dukes, marquises, and earls, who may wear the same in doublets, jerkins, linings of cloaks, gowns, and hose; and those of the Garter, purple in mantles only.

-SON OF A DUKE

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

MARQUIS

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables except dukes, marquises, and earls, who may wear the same in doublets, jerkins, linings of cloaks, gowns, and hose; and those of the Garter, purple in mantles only.

-SON OF A MARQUIS

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

EARL

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables except dukes, marquises, and earls, who may wear the same in doublets, jerkins, linings of cloaks, gowns, and hose; and those of the Garter, purple in mantles only.

-SON OF AN EARL

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

VISCOUNT

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver: except all degrees above viscounts, and viscounts, barons, and other persons of like degree, in doublets, jerkins, linings of cloaks, gowns, and hose.

-SON OF A VISCOUNT

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver: except all degrees above viscounts, and viscounts, barons, and other persons of like degree, in doublets, jerkins, linings of cloaks, gowns, and hose.

BARON

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver: except all degrees above viscounts, and viscounts, barons, and other persons of like degree, in doublets, jerkins, linings of cloaks, gowns, and hose.

-SON OF A BARON

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver

KNIGHT OF THE GARTER

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables except dukes, marquises, and earls, who may wear the same in doublets, jerkins, linings of cloaks, gowns, and hose; and those of the Garter, purple in mantles only.

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver

PRIVY COUNCIL

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver

· Lord Chancellor, Treasurer, President of the council, Privy Seal, may wear any velvet, satin, or other silks except purple, and furs black except black genets.

KNIGHT

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver

· Woolen cloth made out of the realm, but in caps only; velvet, crimson, or scarlet; furs, black genets, lucernes; embroidery or tailor's work having gold or silver or pearl therein:

-SON OF A KNIGHT

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver

· Woolen cloth made out of the realm, but in caps only; velvet, crimson, or scarlet; furs, black genets, lucernes; embroidery or tailor's work having gold or silver or pearl therein:

GENTELMEN IN ORDINARY OFFICE ATTENDANT ON HRM

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver

· Woolen cloth made out of the realm, but in caps only; velvet, crimson, or scarlet; furs, black genets, lucernes; embroidery or tailor's work having gold or silver or pearl therein

· spurs, swords, rapiers, daggers, skeans, woodknives, or hangers, buckles or girdles, gilt, silvered or damasked saving gilt, silvered, or damasked spurs.

MEN WHO HAVE BEEN ON EMBASAGE TO FOREIGN PRINCES

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver

· Woolen cloth made out of the realm, but in caps only; velvet, crimson, or scarlet; furs, black genets, lucernes; embroidery or tailor's work having gold or silver or pearl therein

· spurs, swords, rapiers, daggers, skeans, woodknives, or hangers, buckles or girdles, gilt, silvered or damasked

GENTLEMEN ATTENTING UPON HRM'S PRESON IN THE PRIVY CHAMBER, OR IN THE OFFICE OF CUPBEARER, CARVER, SEWER, ESQUIRE FOR THE BODY, GENTLEMEN USHERS, OR ESQUIRES OF THE STABLE

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver

· Woolen cloth made out of the realm, but in caps only; velvet, crimson, or scarlet; furs, black genets, lucernes; embroidery or tailor's work having gold or silver or pearl therein:

· Velvet in gowns, coats, or other uttermost garments; fur of leopards; embroidery with any silk

· spurs, swords, rapiers, daggers, skeans, woodknives, or hangers, buckles or girdles, gilt, silvered or damasked

MAN WITH AN INCOME OF ₤ 300 PER YEAR

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver

· Woolen cloth made out of the realm, but in caps only; velvet, crimson, or scarlet; furs, black genets, lucernes; embroidery or tailor's work having gold or silver or pearl therein:

· Velvet in gowns, coats, or other uttermost garments; fur of leopards; embroidery with any silk

· Caps, hats, hatbands, capbands, garters, or boothose trimmed with gold or silver or pearl; silk netherstocks; enameled chains, buttons, aglets

· spurs, swords, rapiers, daggers, skeans, woodknives, or hangers, buckles or girdles, gilt, silvered or damasked

-SON OF A MAN WITH AN INCOME OF ₤ 300 PER YEAR

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver

· Woolen cloth made out of the realm, but in caps only; velvet, crimson, or scarlet; furs, black genets, lucernes; embroidery or tailor's work having gold or silver or pearl therein:

· Velvet in gowns, coats, or other uttermost garments; fur of leopards; embroidery with any silk

· Caps, hats, hatbands, capbands, garters, or boothose trimmed with gold or silver or pearl; silk netherstocks; enameled chains, buttons, aglets

· spurs, swords, rapiers, daggers, skeans, woodknives, or hangers, buckles or girdles, gilt, silvered or damasked

MAN WITH AN INCOME OF ₤ 100 PER YEAR

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver

· Woolen cloth made out of the realm, but in caps only; velvet, crimson, or scarlet; furs, black genets, lucernes; embroidery or tailor's work having gold or silver or pearl therein:

· Velvet in gowns, coats, or other uttermost garments; fur of leopards; embroidery with any silk

· Caps, hats, hatbands, capbands, garters, or boothose trimmed with gold or silver or pearl; silk netherstocks; enameled chains, buttons, aglets

· spurs, swords, rapiers, daggers, skeans, woodknives, or hangers, buckles or girdles, gilt, silvered or damasked

-SON OF A MAN WITH AN INCOME OF ₤ 100 PER YEAR

· Any silk of the color of purple, cloth of gold tissued, nor fur of sables

· Cloth of gold, silver, tinseled satin, silk, or cloth mixed or embroidered with any gold or silver

· Woolen cloth made out of the realm, but in caps only; velvet, crimson, or scarlet; furs, black genets, lucernes; embroidery or tailor's work having gold or silver or pearl therein:

· Velvet in gowns, coats, or other uttermost garments; fur of leopards; embroidery with any silk

· Caps, hats, hatbands, capbands, garters, or boothose trimmed with gold or silver or pearl; silk netherstocks; enameled chains, buttons, aglets

· Satin, damask, silk, camlet, or taffeta in gown, coat, hose, or uppermost garments; fur whereof the kind groweth not in the Queen's dominions, except foins, grey genets, and budge

· Hat, bonnet, girdle, scabbards of swords, daggers, etc.; shoes and pantofles of velvet

· Silk other than satin, damask, taffeta, camlet, in doublets; and sarcanet, camlet, or taffeta in facing of gowns and cloaks, and in coats, jackets, jerkins, coifs, purses being not of the color scarlet, crimson, or blue; fur of foins, grey genets, or other as the like groweth not in the Queen's dominions

· spurs, swords, rapiers, daggers, skeans, woodknives, or hangers, buckles or girdles, gilt, silvered or damasked

MAN WITH AN INCOME OF ₤ 40 PER YEAR