Elizabethan style was strict. The society was focused on a hierarchy, and depending on the rank of a person, it changed the kind of clothing they were obliged to wear. Clothing choice was dictated by rank, status, or position in society. This was enforced by Sumptuary Laws in which regulate consumption by the public. In this case, the regulation of clothing consumption was addressed by these laws. These laws maintained social structure and the rank of classes within the hierarchical Elizabethan society.Fashion in the period 1550–1600 in Western European clothing is characterized by increased opulence, the rise of the ruff, the expansion of the farthingale for women, and, for men, the disappearance of the codpiece.

When new colonies were formed in the 'New World', now known as America, it brought up new opportunities for new wealth and prosperity for Spain. This allowed the Spanish people to expand a number elements from their daily lives, especially fashion. Spain introduced many new fashion trends, including new fabrics such as lace, and embroidered and jewelled fabrics. They also introduced new trends such as ruffs and collars to accentuate the body shape. They also introduced some of the first beauty products, such as certain types of perfume and make up.