Queen Elizabeth was a great follower of fashion. While in private she preferred to wear simple gowns, and would reputedly wear the same plain gown for two or three days, when she was in public, she dressed to impress. Clothes were an important status symbol to the Elizabethans, and a person had to dress in accordance with their social status. It was thus in keeping that the Queen dressed more magnificent than everyone else did. No one was allowed to rival the Queen's appearance, and one unfortunate maid of honor was reprimanded for wearing a gown that was too sumptuous for her.