1Carnival Costumes Were Once Everyday Wear
Many of the costumes now seen as theatrical were once ordinary Venetian clothing.
Capes, cloaks, lace collars, and elaborate headwear were part of daily fashion among the elite. Carnival didn’t invent extravagance — it amplified what already existed.
In fact, many Venetians during the republic owned only one fine outfit, worn repeatedly during carnival seasons. Accessories and masks transformed familiar garments into symbols of fantasy and performance.
This is why traditional Venetian costumes feel timeless rather than theatrical: they were rooted in real life, not costume design.
