http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/authors/1593/lydia-k-ethridge Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. en-us Tue, 26 May 2026 13:24:25 -0400 Tue, 26 May 2026 13:24:25 -0400 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/777/womens-fashion-and-the-renaissance-considering-fashion-womens-expression-and-sumptuary-law-in-florence-and-venice By Lydia K. Ethridge - In 1487, Laura Cereta wrote a letter in which she railed against women who “strive by means of exquisite artistry to seem more beautiful that the Author of their beauty decreed.” Cereta represents a voice uncommon among women of her time. Despite her biting remark that women who were “born free … boast to be held captive,” the vast majority of women during her era were already captive by their inability to express themselves. It was, rather, the advent of fashion that allowed them any form of expression whatsoever. It introduced a new, ever-changing form of expression... Thu, 24 Oct 2013 11:32 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/777/womens-fashion-and-the-renaissance-considering-fashion-womens-expression-and-sumptuary-law-in-florence-and-venice