Historical Clothing

Dressing in historical clothing for Colonial Day is a fun and creative way to engage students in the event and teach about the variety of clothing worn for practicality, fashion and economic status during the 18^th century.  Below are some ideas for inexpensive, simple costumes you can make with items at home.

Boys commonly wore:

• shirt (loose fitting white)
• waistcoat (colorful) — optional
• breeches (knee-length NOT JEANS) or trousers (ankle-length)
• neckerchief
• cap or hat — optional

               Here is how you can “fake it” for a day:

• a plain white shirt with sleeves that go to your wrist
• breeches can be made from old pants cut at the knee and folded into a cuff or baseball pants are a great alternative
• white long soccer type socks that meet the cuff of the breeches
• a plain vest – (These can be found at thrift stores)
• a handkerchief or cloth napkin, tied at the neck (this helped keep your shirt collar closed; forerunner of the modern necktie)
• a straw or felt hat, tricorn hat or cloth cap 
• View directions for making your own tricorn hat

Girls commonly wore:

• shift (white underdress)
• petticoat (colorful skirt)
• shortgown (like a shirt; this is optional)
• apron
• neckerchief
• cap

               Here is how you can “fake it” for a day:

• a plain white shirt with sleeves that go to your elbow or wrist
• a long skirt, either plain, striped or checked
• a handkerchief or cloth napkin, tied at the neck (this was for modesty and to prevent sunburn)
• an apron that ties at your waist and is plain
• you can either make a cap by taking a circle of white fabric and putting in a drawstring to fit it to your head; or, if you do an Internet search for “colonial mob cap,” you will find cheap ones you can purchase
• View directions for making a girl’s cap
  

  If you care to sew, check out these ideas for making historical costumes.