What are YOU Wearing?
Socks worn in the 1700s
FOUNDING DOCUMENTS
Declaration of Independence
Constitution
Bill of Rights
Men's Clothing
Shirt
A man's shirt would be made of linen and would serve as a nightshirt as well. He might only own two or three.
Stockings
Everyone wore socks called "stockings" that came up over the knee. They were commonly hand-knitted of wool or linen.
Garters
Elastic had not been invented yet, so stockings were held up with garters. These garters could be made of ribbon, knitted or leather strips and might tie or buckle on above or below the knee. This man wears leather garters that buckle on.
Breeches
Men in this time period did not wear long pants. Their pants, called "breeches", came to just below the knee. They had a button fly and pockets and often buttoned at the knee as well.
Waistcoat
This man wears a waistcoat. This one is sleeveless, similar to what is called a vest today, but a waistcoat might also have sleeves. There are many more buttons down the front than are needed because they were considered stylish for men. Women's clothing usually had no buttons!
Shoes
Shoes were hand sewn. They had no rights or lefts. This man does not have on his everyday shoes. These are blue and made fancier with heels that are painted red. These red heels would be considered quite stylish for men.
Kerchief
This man wears or "kerchief", or "neck cloth". It might be made of cotton or silk. Men's ties had not been invented yet.
Women's Clothing
Shift
A shift would be made of linen and would serve as both nightgown and slip. A woman might only own two or three.
Stockings
Everyone wore socks called "stockings" that came up over the knee. They were commonly hand-knitted of wool or linen. Elastic had not been invented yet, so stockings were held up with garters. These garters could be made of ribbon, knitted or leather strips and might tie or buckle on above or below the knee. This woman wears garters made of cloth tape, that tie on.
Kerchief
For modesty sake, a woman wore a kerchief of silk, linen or cotton. Only for a formal occasion such as a party or ball would she not wear one.
Shoes
A common woman would have one or two pairs of shoes. They were hand sewn by "cordwainers", or shoemakers, and had no rights or lefts.