What clothes did the Stuarts wear?
They wore clothing that exuded understated elegance. Only the wealthy could afford the costly textiles necessary, such as silk brocade and hand-made lace edgings. The Queen's favorite colors were orange, blue, grey, peach, yellow, and olive green, which were frequently adopted by her courtiers. She also enjoyed purple and red dresses. The King preferred white linen shirts with embroidered flowers or coats of arms. He also owned a black velvet coat lined in fur. At court, he was usually dressed in a doublet (a jacket with flaring sleeves) and breeches (short pants). When on horseback, he wore a long riding coat with leather straps across the chest to hold his sword belt. When traveling away from London, he often wore a robe or large cloak with a furred hood. The King's clothes were designed by William Kent, who had also been appointed Lord Chamberlain. They are credited with creating the modern dress code at court: shirt sleeves, pant legs, and hats for men; and low-cut gowns, shawls, and jewelry for women. During their marriage, the King and Queen shared many items of clothing. After the King died, new styles emerged at court, so it is hard to say what the Queen wore during this time.