A History Blog post, Diana Cecil's lips restored to former thin splendor, concerns the restoration of a 1634 portrait of Diana Cecil. What struck me most, however, was this earlier portrait by William Larkin. Just look at those textiles! We live in an age of conspicuous consumption, no doubt about it; but our fashionistas can't begin to compete with the luxurious attire of the Renaissance. Display was the whole point.
Consider the extravagance of repeatedly slashing lengths of gold-embroidered satin and then tucking them up to make rippling, ribbony textures that emphasize how the cloth can never be used again for anything else. Or notice how the young Diana Cecil is standing on a Turkish carpet when such luxury items were often placed on tables to protect them. (For more about such carpets, click here.) The heavy satin of the draperies and gold-tasseled chair just add to the impression of luxe, luxe, luxe.
Question: If you used this costume in a story, would you assign it to a clever young woman with a watchful look on her face? To a queen? To an evil fairy?