Haley's Post: Clothing of the Byzantine and Islamic Women

     There were many differences in the culture and belief between the fashion of Islamic and byzantine women. The things that women wore were extremely different in the style, color, and meaning behind them.
     The Byzantine women wore bright colors with many different patterns and designs. Any and all colors are used in their clothes, all except purple, it was a color worn only for royalty, it was a symbol of recognition, to know that one was royal if in a purple gown. Lower class women typically wore kirtles. Kirltes were essentially long sleeved dresses that were fitted at the waist and flowing to the floor. A more extravagant version of a kirtle, was a bliaut this is what the upper class women wore.
     Islamic women wore completely different clothing. They wore long,dark dresses called a Burqaa. A burqaa covered the chest, neck, and was not allowed to be tight. They were also required to wear a head covering called an abaya. In the Qur'an it even said,"draw their head coverings over their chests" The women were not allowed to wear make up or jewelry unless in their homes. The only time that their hair could show was with other women that they were close to and men of their family in the privacy of the home. If they had company and one of other men then they must be dressed as if they were out in public. 

Outline: 

• Byzantine
• bright colors
• purple worn only for royalty
• lower class
• usually wore thick long dresses called kirtles
• upper class
• wore better versions of kirtles called bliaut 
• lots of pearls and jewels
• Islam 
• must be completely covered head to toe
• wore layers over house clothes 
• Abayas were always worn
• unless at home
• When out always covered

Bibliography:

Cosgrave, Bronwyn. The Complete History of Costume & Fashion: From Ancient Egypt to the Present Day. New York: Checkmark, 2000. 89-91. Print.

Lister, Margot. "Byzantine Dress." Costume: An Illustrated Survey from Ancient times to the Twentieth Century. Boston: Plays, 1968. N. pg. Print.

Leavenworth, Natalie. "Costume History." : Byzantine Fashion. N.p., 18 Oct. 2011. Web. 13 Dec. 2013. <http://periodfashion.blogspot.com/2011/10/byzantine-costume.html>.

Dodge, Christine H. "Understanding Islam." Dress Codes -. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2013. <http://www.netplaces.com/understanding-islam/islamic-law-in-daily-life/dress-codes.htm>.

Robinson, Scott R. "Romanesque/Byzantine." Romanesque/Byzantine. CWU, n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013 <http://www.cwu.edu/~robinsos/ppages/resources/Costume_History/romanesque.htm>.