Final answer:
The divergence between Italian dress and that of Northern Europe was due to geographic distance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The divergence between Italian dress and that of Northern Europe at that time was due to geographic distance. Italy and Northern Europe were separated by significant geographic barriers such as mountains, rivers, and coastlines, which made trade and cultural exchanges more difficult. As a result, the two regions developed their own distinctive dress styles influenced by their respective geographic and cultural contexts.