Ornatus Muliebris Anglicanus (The Clothing of English Women) 1640

Wenceslaus Hollar created this engraving, “Ornatus Muliebris Anglicanus,” which translates to “The Clothing of English Women,” around 1640. Hollar, a Bohemian printmaker who spent a significant part of his career in England, captured in detail the fashions worn during the 17th century. This particular print offers a glimpse into the attire of English women, likely from the middle or upper classes, during a period of significant social and political change. The woman's clothing, with its high collar, simple hat, and long, flowing gown, speaks to a moment of relative modesty in fashion, reflecting the social and religious mores of the time. It is interesting to consider the limitations and constraints placed on women through their clothing during this era, as fashion dictated not only appearance but also movement and expression. What might it have felt like to wear these clothes? To be so visibly marked by one's gender and social standing? Hollar's engraving invites us to reflect on the intricate relationship between clothing, identity, and society.