Clothing: Elegant to Utilitarian, Military, Work or Formal

Of course no one expects you to pull together a full outfit right from the start. A Living History interpretation is a work in progress, and nowhere more so than in one's dress. Feel free to come to events in regular 21st century garb for awhile to watch and learn, and get a sense of who you want to become in the 18th-century context, and what you want to look like. For a look at some actual Ulster County wardrobe inventories of the 18th-century, read Colonial Clothing, Ulster County, NY. Here are some additional guidelines:

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Men’s Clothing & Roles

A. Men’s Basic Clothing

~Linen shirt
~Breeches/trousers
~Stockings
~Shoes
~Hat
~Neck cloth/stock
~Knee garters/gaiters
~Waistcoat or sleeved waistcoat (jacket)

B. Farmer/Laborer

~Shirt - rough linen
~Breeches/trouser - linen or wool
~Frock - heavy linen
~Stockings - wool
~Neck cloth/stock - linen
~Hat - round or knit
~Waistcoat or jacket - linen or wool
~Coat - wool in cool weather
~Half or full gaiters or leggings (optional)
~Shoes - leather, tied or buckled and/or moccasins

C. Merchant/Craftsman (Economic status determines quality of fabric)

~Shirt - rough to fine linen
~ Knee breeches - linen or wool
~ Stockings - wool/silk
~ Shoes - leather, tied or buckled
~ Hat - tricorn or round
~ Half or full gaiters (optional, usually for military only)
~Waistcoat or jacket - linen or wool~
~ Neck cloth/stock - linen or silk

D. Riverman/Stevedores (Similar to farmer/laborer & merchant/craftsman except)

~ Short jacket - wool (in place of waistcoat/jacket)
~ Sailor's trousers instead of breeches (if working on a ship), sometime slops (over trousers)

E. Frontiersman

~ Shirt - rough linen Knee breeches/trouser - linen or wool
~ Frock - heavy linen (NO fringe, locally inappropriate)
~ Stockings - wool
~ Moccasins - center seam
~ Neck cloth/stock - linen
~ Full gaiters or leggings (wool, not leather)
~ Indian style leggings with breech cloth (Not appropriate town wear)
~ Leg ties - leather or woven
~ Waist belt or woven sash
~ Blanket shirt for cool weather
~ Hat - liberty/voyager cap, tricorn, round or head cloth

Women’s Clothing & Roles

A. Basic Clothing

~ Shift/chemise - linen or cotton
~ Petticoats - linen, wool or cotton
~ Short gown/bodice - linen or wool
~ Hat - fine linen or cotton, straw hat in summer
~ Apron - linen or cotton
~ Kerchief - linen or cotton
~ Pocket - cotton or linen, can be embroidered
~ Cloak - wool for cool weather
~ Basket - used as purse to carry personal items

B. Camp follower/working class (All basic clothing plus)

Shoes - often men’s style due to cost
Occupation of spouse would be: Farmer/laborer -Riverman/stevedores - Frontiersman


C. Middle class (All the basic clothing using finer fabrics)

~ Shift - very fine linen or cotton
~ Petticoat - linen, cotton, silk or wool
~ Stays - heavy cotton with boning
~ Caraco jacket - cotton, wool, silk
~ Gown - linen, wool, cotton, or silk
~ Hat - trimmed with ribbon/flowers
~ Shoes - fancy leather or fabric
~ Cloak - fine wool, velvet

Occupation of spouse would be: Merchant/craftsman - Prosperous farmer or laborer

D. Disguised militia ( Women sometimes dressed as men & fought alongside them)

~ Dress would be according to the man’s role.

 

 

 

 

© 2008 Gene Tozzi, First Ulster County Militia, Inc All Rights Reserved