Early Baroque 1620 – 1660

Hyacinthe Rigaud, Louis XIV. Paris, Louvre The famed red heels of The Sun King are well displayed in this portrait

In contrast to the previous period, which was marked with rigidity, the clothing of the Early Baroque era used relaxed fabrics that flowed and expanded outward from the body. The tortured, excessive decoration in fabric was replaced by an interest in the qualities of the fabric itself. Ruffs became soft-laced collars and boning and padding relaxed into an easy expansion of the clothing away from the contours of the body. The costumes expanded, to create a sense of size and grandeur.