Colonial Clothing The plain and simple Colonial Clothing was a public expression of the beliefs of the Puritans which encompassed the notion of simplicity. Puritans practised strictness and austerity in their religion, lifestyle and conduct. The Colonial Clothing worn by Puritan men and women reflected their belief in austerity. Puritans were strongly opposed to sensual pleasures and were strong advocates of propriety, modesty and and decorum. Once again, the early Colonial Clothing of the Puritans reflected these beliefs. Colonial Clothing for Men The Colonial Clothing worn by Puritan men were quite heavy and made from materials such as wool, linen or leather. The items of Colonial Clothing worn by Puritan men included the following: - Long-length, loose linen shirts
- Breeches which were short length pants that were fastened at the knee
- Socks - long woolen socks were worn
- A jerkin which was a sleeveless jacket which could be made of cloth or leather
- A doublet which was a padded jacket with sleeves
- Belts were sometimes worn
- Plain leather shoes, usually without buckles
- Hats - often quite large in a variety of style, usually wide-brimmed
- Coats or capes were worn as protection from the cold and the rain
Colonial Clothing for Women The Colonial Clothing worn by Puritan women were also quite heavy and made from materials such as wool and linen. The items of Colonial Clothing worn by Puritan women included the following: - Long-length, loose shift which was worn as an undergarment. The sleeves were sometimes removable and could be tied on
- The shift was covered by petticoats
- Long gowns or skirts with a jacket were worn as the outer clothing
- Belts were sometimes worn
- Socks - long woollen stockings
- Plain leather shoes
- All clothes were held in place by tying them with laces
- An apron was usually worn over the women's clothes
- The women wore their hair long but it would have been deemed unseemly for hair to be shown. Hair was therfore hidden under a close-fitting coif
- Coats or capes were worn as protection from the cold and the rain
Colonial Clothing for Children The clothing of very young children, both boys and girls were simple shifts. The Colonial Clothing worn by children over the age of seven were similar in style to those worn by adults. The items of Colonial Clothing worn by children therefore consisted of smaller versions of the clothes worn by Puritan men and women. Colonial Clothing for Servants The colonial clothing of servants clung on to the old traditional color of blue clothing as it had been for many years in England. The dye to produce the color blue in England (woad) was cheap and the color blue was always associated with servitude. Colonial Clothing - Sumptuary Laws English Sumptuary Laws had long dictated what colors and type of clothing individuals were allowed to own and wear - an easy and immediate way to identify rank and privilege. The Sumptuary Laws maintained class distinctions but also repressed luxury and discouraged extravagance, especially among the lower classes. The laws regulated ostentatious expenditure on dress and ornaments. Many of the Sumptuary laws that governed much of the dress worn in England were repealed in 1603 by King James I. The repeal of the Sumptuary Laws in England was a bad decision from the Puritan point of view and led to excess in apparel - the complete opposite of their view on Puritan Colonial clothing. Colonial Clothing - Sumptuary Laws introduced in America When the New England colonies were becoming established the Puritans introduced Sumptuary Laws specifying rules for colonial clothing in America. In 1651, both the magistrates and deputies of Massachusetts agreed on the following piece of legislation which included the following:
"...declare our utter detestation and dislike that men or women of mean condition, educations, and callings should take upon them the garb of gentlemen, by the wearing of gold or silver lace, or buttons, or points at their knees, to walk in great boots; or women of the same rank to wear tiffany hoods or scarves, which though allowable to persons of greater estates, or more liberal education, yet we cannot but judge it intollerable in persons of such like condition..." The Puritan's views on the wearing of simple Puritan clothes were enforced by law in the American colonies therefore dictating the styles of colonial clothing. Colonial Clothing - Meaning of Colors The colors of the Colonial Clothing of the Puritans were sombre. The range of colors used in Puritan Colonial Clothing included russet (a reddish brown color), black, gray, brown, green, dull pale yellow and blue. Accessories such as collars, cuffs, aprons and handkerchiefs were usually white. The symbolic meaning of the color white was purity and virtue. There were symbolic meanings of other colors which the Puritans approved of in Puritan clothes and colonial clothing. So the actual color of Colonial Clothing reflected their strong religious beliefs. - Black Colonial Clothing symbolized humility and plainness and could be cheaply produced by using coarse, rough, un-dyed dark wool
- The color blue was closely associated with servitude and was a popular color of colonial clothing worn by servants. Woad was a source of cheap blue dye. The Biblical meaning of blue symbolized heavenly grace
- Cheap dyes made from the Madder root produced red-based colors including orange, russet and brown. The symbolic meaning of the color orange and russet was a symbol of courage. The meaning of the color brown was humility and poverty
- Cheap dyes were used to produce Colonial clothing in the color gray. The meaning of the color gray was repentance. Gray is also associated with Lent and therefore closely associated with fasting and prayer
- Cheap dyes were also used to produce the color green usually from lichen and vegetable dyes. The meaning of the color green was renewal of life and nature
- Cheap dyes such as weld were used to produce a pale color yellow. The meaning of the color yellow was renewal and hope
If you look at pictures of Puritan Colonial Clothing the colors they wore will all be confirmed. The additional information regarding the symbolic and religious meaning of Puritan clothes and colonial clothing provides an insight into the beliefs of the Puritans and early colonists. The Puritans were strong advocates of propriety, modesty and decorum which are all words that can be associated with Colonial Clothing. Colonial Clothing - Textiles Different types of textiles were used not only to make clothing but also to make bedding, linens, curtains, ship sails and upholstery. Textiles used during the colonial era were made chiefly from wool and flax. Cotton was used less often for colonial clothing. A material called serge, which was a durable twilled woolen fabric, was commonly used for bed curtains, upholstery and clothing. Linsey-woolsey, or wincey, was a strong, coarse fabric that was a combination of linen and wool and a popular textile for colonial clothing. During the colonial period, less than 50% of all households had spinning wheels used for spinning yarn from wool and knitting sweaters and stockings. Fewer than 10% owned looms that weaved yarn into textiles. Colonial ClothingInteresting Facts and information about Colonial Clothing Facts and info about Colonial Clothing for men and women Fast Facts and info about the colors and meaning of Colonial Clothing Colonial Clothing - and educational resource for kids Social Studies Homework help for kids on the Colonial Clothing
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