The period from 1600 to 1800 when European settlers settled on the North American continent is known as the colonial period. This period ended with the revolution that ended the independence of Americans from British rule. The clothes that colonial Americans wore ranged from the simplest to the most elaborate. The attractions they used depended entirely on their religious beliefs, social class, and area of residence.
During this period, the rich, the middle class or the poor did not really have the freedom of choice that we now have when it comes to clothing. They all had to follow the dictates of their time that specified strict colonial American dress codes.
Dress codes were created by a combination of status, occupational requirements, social expectations, fashion trends, and the economy. A dance in Norfolk in the mid-1770s saw women dressed in skirts with very small hoops or no hoops. During this formal occasion, conservative, tried and true styles replaced the prevailing rules of daytime fashion.
The ball gown predominantly followed an established pattern. Being formal attractions, they were made of the finest, soft and fine silk. A great deal of effort was made to ensure that the low cut bodice fit carefully over the corset underwear made of bone. The sleeves were intricately designed with multiple ruffles that cascaded elegantly over the elbows.
Long flowing skirts stretched out on all sides using yards of fabric were joined. Most of the dresses had the front open to cleverly show off the inner skirt or petticoat that was reworked to match the dress.
Men who normally wear simple but elegant wool pants and coats switched to conservative suits that featured knee-length breeches and powdered wigs for formal events. The costumes used for balls and other formal occasions were made of shiny silk and embellished with intricate and elaborate embroidery, primarily a floral design.
The suit coats were complemented by pleated knee-length skirts that were worn over a waistcoat or waistcoat. The pants were given more fullness, as they were usually tight under the kneecap. This allowed the men to move easily and sit comfortably. The men wore stockings made of fine linen thread or woven silk.
The domestic servants of the wealthy also had a dress code to follow. They were generally dressed in elegant suits that enhanced the status of the employer. They had to wear livery suits that were very stylish in design. These suits had contrasting colored collar and cuffs and were attractively adorned with attractive buttons and braid trims.
Slaves and plantation workers had fewer clothing options. The men wore practical and inexpensive clothing, usually pants and jackets made of woven or spun fabric. The jacket they wore required less fabric and allowed more essential movement for workers.
Similarly, female workers and slaves wore basic, functional clothing that included a patched petticoat and a jacket with tight laces.
The costume that the sailors wore reflected their occupation. Sailors wore mid-thigh high sailor jackets that had attractive prints, were collarless, and buttoned in the front. Instead of cuffs, the long sleeves of the jacket had buttoned placket. The most elegant suits with long skirts were not practical for workers and sailors and therefore they wore trousers or trousers.
Therefore, clothing during the American colonial period was carefully chosen based on the status, personality, occupation, and wealth of the people. Design and style aside, the intricacies of fabric, accessories, trimmings, and tailoring effectively spoke for her.