Symbolism in Elizabethan Fashion Queen Elizabeth I is known for her strong leadership, lifelong virginity, and perhaps most importantly- her boisterous sense of fashion. While it is true that the queen did not necessarily introduce fashion trends, she certainly helped perpetrate them and used vogue styles to her advantage (Auerbach 196). The Queen was known for wearing elaborate gowns that were heavily padded to withstand the weight of the excessive amounts of dense fabric. These dresses helped give the impression of her being a much larger- and thus more powerful- figure. While other nobles would have dawned these garments as a symbol of their wealth and social status, Elizabeth did not need to prove either of these because her position as …show more content…
It is first important to not that her sense of fashion could have simply been a form of intimidation. Because her garments took up so much space in the room, it was nearly impossible to not see her. This constant direct attention could have made her be perceived as being more powerful and thus more intimidating (Ford and Mitchell 230). This technique would have been especially important during the time period in which she reigned. Because female leaders were anomalies, Elizabeth was forced to compete with a patriarchal society, which consistently undermined her ability to rule and power as a female. As a result, her flamboyant attire was probably created as a means of mimicking the contemporary men’s fashion during that era (Auerbach 200). By relying on this style, Elizabeth sought to establish herself as a dominant ruler who is completely capable of ruling in her own …show more content…
During this time period, the height of one’s headpiece was directly correlated with the amount of power the individual maintained. In this specific portrait, the top of Elizabeth’s crown is not really shown. This serves as commentary on her unlimited and almost infinite power (Erler 361). Behind the queen rests two oddly shaped wings attached to her light overcoat. These wings are symbolic of her power over both England and France. Additionally, she is drawn with may pearl necklaces, bracelets, and hairpieces. These do not only highlight her wealth, but more importantly emphasize her virginity and refusal to accept a suitor because of her passion for her country(Fischlin 178). On the left hand side of the portrait, marks the phrase “non sine sol iris.” Interestingly, the phrase can be translated from Latin to mean “no rainbow without the sun.” The Queen is also holding a strange emblem in her left hand. This object is called an armillary sphere and is intended to symbolize a rainbow. Originally, this appeared to look much more like a rainbow; however, over time, the colors have significantly faded (Fischlin 180). The emphasis of this specific celestial body is perhaps one of the primary reasons why the portrait is called such a peculiar name. The rainbow is specifically important because it symbolizes peace and prosperity throughout the nation. The phrase “no rainbow without