Wigs, Frills & High Heels | 17th Century Menswear

The late 1600s saw a peak in extravagance in mens fashion history. After years of Puritan rule under Oliver Cromwell, the Restoration brought Charles II back to the English throne in 1660. Charles was influenced by French styles, but was also a fashion leader in his own right, starting the trend for the three piece suit. The fashion of the time was excessive, impressive, and expensive. It was very different from menswear today – men even wore wigs and high heels!

In this video, historical interpreters go through the stages of dressing in a Restoration ensemble fit for a king, from underwear, to golden silks, to accessories. Learn all about how a gentleman courtier would dress from these experts.

Image Credits:
King Charles II c. 1670 © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
King Charles II attributed to Thomas Hawker, oil on canvas, circa 1680 © National Portrait Gallery, London
Charles II, c.1671-76 by John Michael Wright. © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust
The Financial, Nicholas Bonnart. C.1637-1718. Musée Carnavalet, History of Paris
Elegant company in a distinguished interior, Eglon van der Neer. C.1678. RKD Netherlands Institute for Art History
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham (1592-1628). Daniel Mytens, the Elder. © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Young patrician couple, Bartholomeus van der Helst. C.1661. Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe
Jean Dieu de Saint-Jean, Habit Noir (evening wear), etching c. 1670. Pepys Library, Magdalene College Cambridge
Gentilhomme et jeune élégant, 1670. New York Public Library.
Carlo Ceresa (San Giovanni Bianco 1609 - Bergamo 1679) Portrait of a Gentleman with a Wig, c.1665-1670, Galerie Canesso
Louis XIV, after 1701. Gift of J. Paul Getty Museum