EArly American Fashion
In the 1700s, women’s clothing was all hand-sewn and mostly made
of wool and linen. Elbows and knees were covered at all times.
Most of these women owned about two to four outfits. During the 1700s, germs
had not been discovered yet and people hadn’t put together the connection
between dirt, disease, and infection. Clothing wasn’t washed often and some
items were never washed.
Women owned about two or three linen shifts. She wore it day and night as a slip and a nightgown. She wore it for weeks without washing it. Women wore hand-knitted stockings that came up over the knee. Stocking were held up with ribbons or strips that would tie or buckle above the knee. Women wore their hair in a bun because they did not wash it much. Women usually wore a kerchief. At a formal event she could not wear a kerchief.
Most women owned one or two pairs of shoes. They were hand sewn and didn’t have right or left. Instead of attacked pockets, women tied pockets around their waist. They were put on before the gown. Pockets held valuables and were kept hidden. Stays were worn from a very young age. They provided good posture and an ideal shape. Petticoats, or skirts, where worn for warmth. In the winter up to five were worn. A stomacher was a decorative piece of fabric that a woman wore to cover her stays. Caps covered dirty hair. They were worn both indoors and outdoors. They were both stylish and practical. There were many types of gowns. This one laces up the front and has skirts hanging down.
For women, belts were optional. They were leather with a buckle. Clipped onto a belt or apron, women could keep their sewing equipment handy. Scissors, pins and needles could be attached. Instead of a coat, women wore capes in the winter. Hoods were won over caps to keep the women warm. Wool homemade mittens were made by the women. Baskets were used as purses as well as for many other purposes.
of wool and linen. Elbows and knees were covered at all times.
Most of these women owned about two to four outfits. During the 1700s, germs
had not been discovered yet and people hadn’t put together the connection
between dirt, disease, and infection. Clothing wasn’t washed often and some
items were never washed.
Women owned about two or three linen shifts. She wore it day and night as a slip and a nightgown. She wore it for weeks without washing it. Women wore hand-knitted stockings that came up over the knee. Stocking were held up with ribbons or strips that would tie or buckle above the knee. Women wore their hair in a bun because they did not wash it much. Women usually wore a kerchief. At a formal event she could not wear a kerchief.
Most women owned one or two pairs of shoes. They were hand sewn and didn’t have right or left. Instead of attacked pockets, women tied pockets around their waist. They were put on before the gown. Pockets held valuables and were kept hidden. Stays were worn from a very young age. They provided good posture and an ideal shape. Petticoats, or skirts, where worn for warmth. In the winter up to five were worn. A stomacher was a decorative piece of fabric that a woman wore to cover her stays. Caps covered dirty hair. They were worn both indoors and outdoors. They were both stylish and practical. There were many types of gowns. This one laces up the front and has skirts hanging down.
For women, belts were optional. They were leather with a buckle. Clipped onto a belt or apron, women could keep their sewing equipment handy. Scissors, pins and needles could be attached. Instead of a coat, women wore capes in the winter. Hoods were won over caps to keep the women warm. Wool homemade mittens were made by the women. Baskets were used as purses as well as for many other purposes.