The Italian Renaissance and that of Northern Europe have many similarities since they share a cultural and artistic influence; the two places had differences in social and political structure, as well as contrasting religious beliefs that led to unique concepts in each region. The word Renaissance is derived from the Italian word meaning rebirth. Italy began to focus again on the Classical period after the "1000 Years of Darkness" of the Middle Ages. They lived around the ruins of what was once the world's greatest cultural empire. The 1000 Years of Darkness refers to a period when the progression of culture and art stopped due to the Black Death as well as a feudal Europe. Italians were able to re-educate themselves thanks to the manuscripts of Greek and Roman literature preserved in monasteries and parish libraries. The Renaissance brought a great cultural change, economic incentive and modernization compared to the medieval era. This is particularly relevant among the elite class because of their interest in antiquity. During the 1500s, Northern Europe entered its “renaissance” thanks to Italian guidance. This was possible due to the circulation of information and ideas through a well-developed trading system throughout Europe. Italy's failure to unite under a single ruler, unlike England, France and Spain, led to many city-states being taken over by other rulers, a also helped to spread new ideas formed from ancient ideas. The Italian Renaissance occurred from the 15th to 17th centuries (1400-1600), while the Northern Renaissance began in the 16th century. In Italy, the standard of living was high, due to their geographical location, which made it the center of commerce. . Also, ...... middle of paper ...... to protect against disease and were sometimes used for shy flirting. In both areas, shoes were adorned with jewelry where possible. Usually, men's shoes were more elaborate than women's, as they were more visible as women's shoes were covered by their dresses. The Italian and Northern Renaissance were influenced by their encouragement to overcome the negativity and darkness of the Middle Ages. Borders were non-existent when it came to business and commerce, ultimately leading to a cross-cultural environment. Europe has progressed not only socio-economically, but also in the areas of religion, literature, art and politics. There are many similarities between the costumes of Italy and Northern Europe due to the flow of ideas that passed through the trade route. Furthermore, the new importance of learning about antiquity helped, thanks to the Italians, to form Europe as we know it today...