It’s the summer of 1355 in Western Europe, meaning it’s time to shed your mantle, kick on some summer shoes, and get busy with the harvest. But, it’s also the little ice age, so maybe don’t throw away that mantle just yet.
You might have already got your clothes for this season, and that’s quite alright. If you’re like most peasants, they might be the very same set of clothes you’ve been wearing all year round. But that doesn’t mean you can’t change up your look and become the fairest of them all with 1355’s biggest summer trends.
Release those luscious locks and ditch the veil
The summer is starting and it’s time to take some risks. If you’re married and wear a veil, why not try and show a glimpse of your mane by having your hair poke out underneath the cloth. To achieve this, take two bunches of hair right from your temples, plait them, then loop them back up to above your ear. This should create two. cute face framing braids, perfect for the change of season. If you’re struggling with hair loss, faux pieces made from flax, wool, or even something else’s hair can be used – just make sure the church doesn’t find out, excommunication and damnation are one of this year’s outs!
If you’re feeling rebellious, those down South are beginning to say it’s time to say adieu to the veil altogether. You might be familiar with standard hair braids, but Italian hair taping will keep you ahead of the trends by adding a pop of colour and keeping your locks securely on top of your head. Simply form two braids and loop them over your head, before sowing them in place with a ribbon.
There is nothing more fair than a woman with an oval shaped face. Luckily for those of us not blessed with this quality, there is a way to scrape back the hair and raise the hairline. This can be done by plucking the hairs with tweezers, or by using various herbal concoctions such as parsley juice and Quim or ivy. For the more stubborn hairs. crushed eggshells or dried cats dung can be used as a depilatory exfoliator. But, like with all bodily changes, make sure the church doesn’t find out – seriously, they get SUPER mad about this sort of thing.
Pot Bellies are in
In this post-plague world, fertility is fashionable. Long gone are the slender bodies of the Romans, Medieval Europe’s hottest new trend is a “luscious little belly.” swelling which “rises” outwards is revered by poets and artists alike. If you’re a starving peasant, stay ahead of the trends and try stuffing your clothes with a sack.
The best way to compliment this abdominal softness is by having a set of small breasts. If you’ve got the money, give your newborn baby to a wet nurse for feeding, and bind your own breasts to keep them petite and encourage them to shrink back down to a pleasing size after pregnancy.
Flower Crowns
Blending braids with flower crowns is one of 1355’s coolest trends. Head to your local meadow to catch the last of spring’s bloom, and weave them in a crown around your head. Something tells me this won’t just be a fleeting trend!
