The Dictionary of Fabrics & Fashion Terms in Shakespeare

Riband (noun): a ribbon used especially as a decoration

Ribbon (noun): a flat or tubular narrow closely woven fabric (as of silk or rayon) used for trimmings or knitting; b: a narrow fabric used for tying packages; c: a piece of usually multicolored ribbon worn as a military decoration or in place of a medal; d: a strip of colored satin given for winning a place in a competition

Sandra Clark’s Shakespeare and Domestic Life: A Dictionary tells us that “a ribbon is a long narrow strip of fabric, used in this period for lacing shoes, garters, and bonnets, and as decoration for hats, sleeves, and so on.” In the Elizabethan era, men’s hats were popular. The Elizabethan People by Henry Thew Stephenson tells us, “The place for the hat was frequently upon the head; but quite as often the hat was worn dangling down the back at the end of a brightly-coloured ribbon. It was worn in either place, either within or without doors. The hair was usually cut short, with, however, a love lock left long behind one or both of the ears. It was adorned with pretty bows of ribbon.”

We see ribbons on shoes appearing in A Midsummer Night’s Dream when Bottom gives this command: “Not a word of me. All that I will tell you is that the duke hath dined. Get your apparel together, good strings to your beards, new ribbons to your pumps. Meet presently at the palace.” He is helping his friends prepare for the play they’ll put on for Theseus and Hippolyta.

In Ribbon History, Barbara Morris writes, “We do not find many intact textiles from this early time because often clothing was in fact burned to collect the precious metals. Interestingly, during the sixteenth century, the English Parliament tried to make the wearing of ribbons a right of only the nobility.” So again, ribbons fell victim to England’s sumptuary laws. She says that ribbons evolved from the silk trade, and that “Rayon, velvet, silk, and satin ribbon may be the most common types of fabric ribbon; but cotton, wool, and some modern synthetics can be processed in ribbon form.” Today we might not think of ribbons as anything special, but in the 1600’s they were often considered a luxury.

The resource “Made How” gives us insight into how different products are made, including ribbons. From this site we learn that ribbons “appeared when civilizations began crafting fabrics. They are among the oldest decorative or adorning materials. People have always looked for ways to personalize their clothing and household goods. When all textiles were handmade, items with the finest threads were the most expensive. But the simplest, most coarse textiles in plain colors could be made more elegant and individual with a bit of ribbon as decoration.” In other words, ribbons are a way to further personalize clothing, and can be an indicator of wealth and status, like silk and velvet. The source continues to tell us that “In the Middle Ages, peddlers traveled throughout Europe selling exotic ribbons; the tales of Geoffrey Chaucer mention "ribbands" used to adorn garments. Medieval and Renaissance patrons bought ribbons woven with gold and silver thread and made from silk and other rare fabrics from the Orient. The modern ribbon with selvedges (finished edges) came into being by 1500. Ribbons were so identified with luxury that, during the sixteenth century, the English Parliament tried to make the wearing of ribbons a right of only the nobility. They were also identified with certain orders of merit; the Knights of the Garter wear broad blue sashes to this day, and the Knights of Bath wear red.” Finally, we learn that by the seventeenth century, ribbons were a huge part of the fashion world, and used in both men’s and women’s clothing. This source tells us that ribbons were used in almost every accessory, including bonnets, gloves, and shoes. Ribbons could be given as gifts or used to braid hair.

“Made How” tells us that “The huge demand for more elaborate ribbons prompted a manufacturing revolution in which Coventry, England, and Lyons, France, became hubs of ribbon design and generation.”

“RIBAND” APPEARS IN THE FOLLOWING TEXTS:

THE WINTER’S TALE

He hath ribbons of an the colours i' the rainbow;
points more than all the lawyers in Bohemia can
learnedly handle, though they come to him by the
gross: inkles, caddisses, cambrics, lawns: why, he
sings 'em over as they were gods or goddesses; you
would think a smock were a she-angel, he so chants
to the sleeve-hand and the work about the square on't.

THE WINTER’S TALE

If I were not in love with Mopsa, thou shouldst take
no money of me; but being enthralled as I am, it
will also be the bondage of certain ribbons and gloves.

THE WINTER’S TALE

Ha, ha! what a fool Honesty is! and Trust, his
sworn brother, a very simple gentleman! I have sold
all my trumpery; not a counterfeit stone, not a
ribbon, glass, pomander, brooch, table-book, ballad,
knife, tape, glove, shoe-tie, bracelet, horn-ring,
to keep my pack from fasting: they throng who
should buy first, as if my trinkets had been
hallowed and brought a benediction to the buyer:
by which means I saw whose purse was best in
picture; and what I saw, to my good use I
remembered.

HAMLET

A very riband in the cap of youth-
Yet needfull too; for youth no less becomes
The light and careless livery that it wears
Than settled age his sables and his weeds,
Importing health and graveness. Two months since
Here was a gentleman of Normandy.
I have seen myself, and serv'd against, the French,
And they can well on horseback; but this gallant
Had witchcraft in't. He grew unto his seat,
And to such wondrous doing brought his horse
As had he been incorps'd and demi-natur'd
With the brave beast. So far he topp'd my thought
That I, in forgery of shapes and tricks,
Come short of what he did.