… between India and the Colonies, so Colonial women could get lovely fabrics. Trade with some Asian countries and places like Holland and Spain made other special fabrics, laces, trims, and finished clothing available to those who could afford them. China and its lovely silk fabrics was not yet open to trade with the Colonies.
(Sketch: Cotton clothing and fabric had to be brought to the Colonies on specially outfitted cotton ships prior to 1800 when America started to produce enough to serve its own needs)