{{short description|Traditional costume of a court jester}} {{Other uses}} {{Multiple issues| {{ref improve|date=April 2015}} {{notability|date=August 2022}} }} thumb|upright|A jester dressed in motley '''Motley''' is the traditional costume of the court jester, the motley fool. It is the costume of the arlecchino character in ''commedia dell'arte'',{{cn|date=January 2026}} the harlequin who wears a patchwork of red, green and blue diamonds. Present-day fashion occasionally adopts it as a motif.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/13/news/with-the-motley-look-clashing-is-the-intent.html |title=With the Motley Look, Clashing is the Intent |author=Woody Hochswender |publisher=New York Times |date=13 Jan 1991}}</ref>

==Cognate of medley==

The word ''motley'' is described in the Oxford English Dictionary as a cognate of ''medley'', although the unrelated ''mottled'' has also contributed to the meaning. The word is most commonly used as an adjective or noun, but is also seen as a verb and adverb. When used as a noun, it can mean "a varied mixture". As an adjective, it is generally disparaging: a ''motley collection'' is an uninspiring pile of stuff, as in the cliché motley crew. ==Fabric of mixed colours== The word originated in England between the 14th and 17th centuries and referred to a woollen fabric of mixed colours.<ref>Apparel Search Glossary [https://www.apparelsearch.com/glossary_m_3.htm] Retrieved on: 15 Jan 2020</ref> It was the characteristic dress of the professional fool. During the Elizabethan era, motley served the important purpose of keeping the fool outside the social hierarchy and therefore not subject to class distinction. Since the fool was outside the dress laws, the fool was able to speak more freely.

Likewise, motley did not have to be checkered and has been recently thought to be one pattern with different coloured threads running through it.

{{quote|Motley is the only wear.|William Shakespeare|As You Like It, ii. 7}}

==See also== * Clown * Harlequin * Jester * Shakespearean fool * Trickster

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * National Guild of Jesters (UK) [http://www.jonathanthejester.org.uk/motley.html Hall of Fame]. Various examples of motley.

{{Clowns}}

Category:History of Western fashion Category:Clowning Category:Jesters Category:Harlequin Category:Elizabethan era