During the Elizabethan Age (1558-1603), men's fashion was redefined. The dark and heavy fabrics of the previous era, designed to make men look aggressive and dominant, was replaced with a lighter, more athletic look. At this time, men's clothing was designed to show off a narrow waist, long legs and a broad chest. Although designed to be sporty, men's clothes were elaborate, colorful and, more importantly, an expression of status and identity.

Hats were a common feature of Elizabethan men's fashion. At the start of the period, the flat cap was the most popular type of hat and was either knitted or sewn. As the era progressed, however, the flat cap was considered increasingly unfashionable among the higher social classes. Popular alternatives included the brimless knitted cap and the high-crowned hat, known as a copotain. Wool, woolen felt and leather were common material choices for hats, while wealthier gentleman preferred animal fur, particularly beaver. Hats were generally decorated with a hatband, which was often adorned with a feather or jeweled hat pin.

Elizabethan men's underclothes consisted of a shirt, stockings or hose and, in some cases, a codpiece. Linen became the new material of choice for underclothes as it was softer than other fabrics, bleached naturally to white and was readily available. Shirt designs were simple and usually featured square-cut sleeves gathered into a wrist band. The classic Elizabethan hose were bulbous shorts, gathered into a band at the thigh, worn with stockings. Longer, baggy hose were also worn, often with a decorated band. Although declining in popularity, an elaborately decorated codpiece was sometimes used to cover the material join of the hose. Popular colors included gray, green, russet and brown.

Elizabethan men attached a lace collar and ruffles to their undershirt and wore a slightly padded doublet over the top. Shirt sleeves were also padded and often decorated with an embroidered pattern. A belt or girdle was worn over the doublet to show off a man's slim waist. For men wearing canions--knee-length fitted breeches--a ribbon or rosette was often attached for decoration. When outdoors, Elizabethan men wore leather riding boots, while shoes with side-latchets and a bow were appropriate for indoors.

Cloaks were typically worn over one shoulder, and short and long styles were equally popular among men of the era. A loose-fitting cassock with sleeves was sometimes used instead of a cloak. A beard was also considered an Elizabethan fashion accessory and was usually accompanied by a mustache, trimmed to a point.