Sumptuary Laws

• Sumptuary laws existed in many countries over many centuries
• They were in place in England from the Middle Ages until well into the seventeenth century
• They dictated, by law, the fabric, colour and styles of clothing worn by different members of society
• They were called ‘sumptuary’ because, in principle, they attempted to restrict ‘sumptuousness’ (i.e. extravagance)
• In reality, they were used to identify social ranks, preventing people from dressing like someone of a different status, and identify those behaving in ways not appropriate for their role and function in society
• It is a valuable term to use in relation to The Handmaid’s Tale: Gilead’s theocracy has reintroduced strict sumptuary laws relating to one’s social and reproductive status