How to Dress in Colonial Clothing

The opportunity to play dress up can be a thrilling experience for the entire family. Putting on a costume can instantly make you feel and behave like a new person. When dressing up in colonial clothing, you have the opportunity to relive the lives of people from long ago.

Things You'll Need

• Shift
• Stockings
• Stay
• Shoes
• Gown
• Stomacher
• Breeches
• Cravat
• Coat
• Waistcoat

Instructions

Women

1. Place the shift over your head as you would a T-shirt. The shift is the undermost clothing for women and children. It was made from white linen and it either had a drawstring or a plain neck.

2. Put on the stockings after the shift. Place each leg into the stockings and pull them up to your waist. The stockings are usually white and made of linen, cotton, wool or silk.

3. Put on the stay. Wrap the stay over your bust and abdomen, tie the strings together in the back. Stays are the foundation garment in colonial times. According to history.org, the stay covered the body with a conical form, lifting and supporting the bosom. The stay supported the body and reminded women of good posture. The boning of the stay was made of either baleen, metal or wood.

4. Step into the "hooped" petticoat. Place the petticoat around your waist.

5. Stitch or pin the stomacher to the front of the gown. The stomacher is a triangular-shaped insert that decorates the front of the gown.

6. Dress in the gown that was standard in colonial times. Step into the gown and place your arms into the sleeves. According to history.org, the gown consists of the bodice and the skirt joined together. The gown is open in the front to display a separate petticoat that was essential to the gown.

7. Put the lady's shoes on. The shoes were made of silk or leather.

Men

1. Put the shirt over your head and place your arms into the sleeves. The shirt is the undermost garment. According to history.com, the shirt is white linen and it is usually tucked inside the breeches.

2. Put on the stockings that are worn by men. Put each leg into the stockings and pull them up to your waist. The stockings cover the legs and feet and are made of cotton, linen or wool.

3. Slip on the breeches. Button the front of the breeches to close them. The breeches cover the lower body, from waist to knees.

4. Tie the silk cravat around your neck. Wrap the cravat around your neck and make a loose knot in the front, having the rest of cravat hanging down. The cravat was one of the most popular forms of neck wear.

5. Put on the waistcoat. Place each arm into the waistcoat and button the front together. The waistcoat covers the upper body. It is now known as a vest.

6. Put on the coat. Place each arm into the coat sleeves and button the front; you can also leave the coat open. The coat is a fashionable garment and it is usually knee-length.

7. Slip on the shoes, which have no left or right until shaped by the wearer's feet.

References

• Women's Clothing in Colonial Times
• The Anatomy of the Woman's Gown
• The Anatomy of the Man's Suit