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Luxury Fashion and the Early Modern Idea of Credit: Perspectives in Economic and Social History

Timothy Ward

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Luxury, Fashion and the Early Modern Idea of Credit (Perspectives in Economic and Social History)

by Writing Axis

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3461 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	353 pages

The relationship between luxury fashion and the development of credit in early modern Europe is a complex and fascinating one. On the one hand, the rise of luxury fashion was a major factor in the development of new forms of credit, such as bills of exchange and bank notes. These new forms of credit made it possible for people to purchase luxury goods even if they did not have the cash on hand. This, in turn, led to a boom in the luxury fashion industry.

On the other hand, the availability of credit also had a significant impact on the social implications of luxury fashion. It made it possible for people to purchase luxury goods regardless of their social status. This led to a blurring of the lines between the social classes, and it also created new opportunities for social mobility.

The Rise of Luxury Fashion

The rise of luxury fashion in early modern Europe was a direct result of the growth of the merchant class. As merchants became increasingly wealthy, they began to demand more luxurious goods. This demand led to the development of new industries, such as the textile industry and the jewelry industry.

The development of these new industries also led to the development of new forms of credit. In order to finance their operations, merchants needed to borrow money from banks. This led to the development of new financial instruments, such as bills of exchange and bank notes.

These new financial instruments made it possible for merchants to purchase luxury goods even if they did not have the cash on hand. This, in turn, led to a boom in the luxury fashion industry.

The Social Implications of Luxury Fashion and Credit

The availability of credit had a significant impact on the social implications of luxury fashion. It made it possible for people to purchase luxury goods regardless of their social status. This led to a blurring of the lines between the social classes, and it also created new opportunities for social mobility.

For example, a wealthy merchant could purchase a luxurious gown even if she was not a member of the nobility. This would have been unthinkable in a society without credit. Similarly, a poor artisan could purchase a pair of shoes made from fine leather even if he could not afford to pay for them in cash.

The availability of credit also created new opportunities for social mobility. For example, a young man from a poor family could purchase a fine suit of clothes on credit and use it to impress a wealthy woman. If he was successful, he could marry into a wealthy family and improve his social status.

The relationship between luxury fashion and the development of credit in early modern Europe is a complex and fascinating one. On the one hand, the rise of luxury fashion was a major factor in the development of new forms of credit. On the other hand, the availability of credit also had a significant impact on the social implications of luxury fashion.

Luxury, Fashion and the Early Modern Idea of Credit (Perspectives in Economic and Social History)

by Writing Axis

4 out of 5