Final answer:
It is true that Elizabethan costuming often did not align with the historical period of the play, as costumes were made from contemporary Elizabethan clothing provided by wealthy patrons, reflecting the fashions of the time.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that Elizabethan costuming was frequently inconsistent with the historical setting of a play. During the Elizabethan era, it was common for theater companies to rely on donated clothing from wealthy patrons, which they would then adapt for their productions. As a result, costumes would often reflect the Elizabethan fashion of the time, rather than accurately representing the period in which the play was set.
Late advancements in textile production and a growing interest in historical accuracy spurred a shift towards realism and psychological depth in costume design in the 18th and 19th centuries. Now, modern costume designers must balance historical research with the practical needs of the production and contemporary aesthetics. This often means that while costumes are based on historical designs, they are not always 100% accurate due to these various considerations.
In summary, while modern productions sometimes strive for historic realism in costume design, Elizabethan theatre did not consistently match costumes to the historical setting of their plays, opting instead to use contemporary fashion and available resources of the period.