.the English had more leisure time than most Colonists, and were generally outdoors more than other Europeans at the time.  The English culture valued open spaces and physical activity, and was still predominantly agricultural. (Photo/Portrait: (left) the Colonial view of rural life was a bit different than the more leisurely …

There were philosophers in Europe who were teaching people to “simplify”, and the informal American styles and use of soft, comfortable to wear, natural fabrics appealed to people of England, France, Spain, and other countries.  Because it was a time of abundance in both Europe and the Colonies, people had …

…roads were muddy.  Even in dry places, dust would get dresses very dirty.  Women worked hard and had no air conditioners or electric fans.  Even women of wealth and royalty did work, and they would get sweaty.  The natural fabrics and the design of their clothes kept them comfortable between …

…germs yet.  It was only in the Late Colonial/Georgian period people figured out they should wash their clothes and themselves regularly to prevent sickness.  A new type of detergent similar to today’s bleach was being used.  Because it turned everything white, white became the most popular color for things that …

… of the 1770’s was linen; specifically flax-based linen. Linen acts much like cotton, but it is stiffer and has a shiny side to it, a rough feel, and has a more open weave.  Both cotton and linen let air flow in and out, so they are very comfortable to …

…the many pinks, browns, and a blue-green called “teal” plus the indigo blue. Synthetic dyes would not be invented until the 1850’s when a man accidentally invented “mauveine” while trying to find a cure for malaria.  With a huge fashion industry in the 1870’s and a big interest in science …

..by nobility and royalty.  Synthetic magentas, blues, and purples would not be invented until the middle of the 19th century.  The dye processes and materials to make intense blue or purple cam from semi-precious gems or rare plants that were difficult to transport. As a result, by the mid 18th …

… came from the crushed  insect dye, cochineal (see earlier sections on dyes).  Bright reds and pinks from cochineal and other natural sources like berries and seeds were a favorite of both men and women colonists. Intense blue or royal purple other than the blue/green or purple/pink types of blues …

…like “Red Dye No. 2” which is used in food today.  It comes from a female insect which lives on cactus in southern areas of today’s U.S. and Mexico.  It has been a favorite dye for orange/reds for centuries. Indigo, which made the deep blue/greens of military coats (like blue …

…were from natural sources, like berries for pinks and blues.  Sticks, twigs, walnuts, and nutshells made browns.  Many plants, mosses, and bugs were used to make greens.  There was a favorite orange/red color that came from an insect, although it had to come on a ship from an island so …