Historical Clothing Realm Takes on "The Tudors" Regal Renaissance Wear

The very name of the Tudor Dynasty brings to mind power, scandal… and fashion? Thanks to the Emmy-winning Showtime show "The Tudors," the elaborate clothing styles of the Renaissance have caught the attention of the modern public eye. Costuming vendor Historical Clothing Realm has drawn inspiration from this stylish series with a line of Tudor wear fit for royalty.

Costume designer Joan Bergin has won 3 Emmy awards for her work on "The Tudors." Her wardrobe designs seek to incorporate modern twists into the Tudor style, making the costumes historical but accessible to contemporary audiences. Henry VIII's costumes, for example, were inspired both by h women's jackets istorical journals and by rock stars like Bono or the Rolling Stones to give Henry that imperial "bad boy" look. The King often dresses in brocade jerkins, black velvet hats, sleeveless leather vests, and lush fur capes. HCR borrows from this style in an array of Tudor menswear:

•     King Henry Red Royal Cape: This piece combines rich cardinal with deep black and is trimmed in burnished faux fur.
•     King Henry Courtly Pants: These knee britches feature a satin-like finish, a button front, and a lace-up back and laced calves.

Any reference to Tudor history brings to mind Henry VIII's six wives, some of whom suffered divorce and even execution at his hands. Bergin made use of her ample budget to create unforgettable renaissance gowns for these historical women. A particularly memorable ensemble was made for the character of Anne Boleyn. The silk dress Anne wears at her coronation features a 150-year-old panel of molten silver silk, and her pearls, which were loaned to the show, cost an estimated $65,000. The outfit was so expensive that a bodyguard was hired especially to monitor the pieces on set.

Historical Clothing Realm offers a collection of gowns inspired by Henry's royal wives:

•     Lady Jane Dress: This gown is inspired by Jane Seymour, the only queen to give Henry a son. It's made of a rich burgundy cotton velvet accented with hand-beaded gold trim. The sleeves feature sheer netting and decorative burgundy bows.
•     Queen Anne Gown: Inspired by the infamous Anne Boleyn who was beheaded by her husband the King, this dress is made of black brocade with silver trimmed borders. A lace-up back and slashed half-sleeves add to the detailed work on this cotton velvet gown.

"The Tudors" so captured the elegance of the Renaissance that Bergin's costumes were loaned to the Museum of the Mary Rose, one of Henry VIII's favorite ships, located at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyards. For those seeking museum-worthy Renaissance pieces, Historical Clothing Realm seeks to follow in the footsteps of "The Tudors," combining historical precision with modern inspiration.

See the full selection at Historical Clothing Realm's website: http://www.historicalclothingrealm.com/