Or as they would say in the 18th century, “Get those apples fixed, and hie to the barn with me ale.”
Fashion History Blog
Want to look like Claire??
Re-enactors! Storytellers! Docents! Need a costume by June? We can do it – any (women) American era 1740 to 1900.. plus will do “Outlander” (1740’s France & Scotland) Email [email protected] (photos: shameless use of a handsome man for marketing – promo photos of Starz “Outlander” Seasons 1 & 2.. yes, …
The Revolutionary War was fought in English fabric
Wool and cotton broadcloth.. both sides – the red coats and the blue coats.. wore English goods.
The Patriots wore English cloth to fight them
Ironically, it was most likely imported English “Kerseymere” or Broadcloth the American Revolutionary patriot officers were wearing to fight the English. (photos: Battle of Bunker Hill, Massachusetts, during the American Revolution 1775, where the “Red Coats” fought the Patriot “blue coats”.. mostly made of the same fabric) (1 American side; …
England’s big product was broadcloth…
…or “Kerseymere”, and extremely heavy wool used worldwide, especially for military coats. It was solid, weatherproof, and breathable, perfect for a “Red Coat”. (photos: British “Red Coat” uniforms of “Kerseymere” 1750-1835. Authentic British uniform from the Revolutionary War, now in an American museum.)
England was the leader of wool & cotton…
…sales in 1800. Production had moved from a “cottage industry” (small shops with each step being separated & run by different people) to “mass production” (where a man & his son could run all operations under one roof). Invention of mass production looms allowed for mass production export & trade …
A Big Fashion Influence in Regency…
…Regency/Colonial/Georgian eras was new technology in spinning & weaving fabrics. The “Spinning Jenny”, invented in 1764, & its continued improvement, allowed faster & mass production of natural threads – cotton and wool in particular. (photo: “Spinning Jenny” in England, 1764 – well, it’s in a museum now..)
Re-enacters! We’re looking for you…
…for a new commission to begin build in March 2017! Regency or Civil War eras. 2017 projects are deeply discounted in exchange for building our portfolio. Message or email for process & to discuss YOUR PERSONAL CHARACTER DESIGN: [email protected]
Here are 3 Fashionable “Georges”…
…for whom fashion was named: King George III (white hair)(“Georgian 1760-1829”), his son King George IV (dark hair)(“Regency 1800-1837”), & George Washington (seated w/tents in back)(“Colonial 1740+-1800+”). “Colonial” because it was the King Georges America fought in the Revolutionary War. America didn’t want any reminders of those fancy Georges, even …
Here’s the Early REGENCY SILHOUETTE…
…(“Georgian, Colonial”) we are discussing. It had a very high (“under the bust”) waistline, with narrow, lightweight, flowing skirt. Sleeves were little “puffs” or past the elbow, & there were intricate & unique embroideries & accessories used.