Clothing In The 1700s

1 B.C. and Before
In the ancient times, clothing wasn’t just for looking good, it was to protect you and keep you warm during the harsh winters. Most babies didn’t even wear anything. Sometimes they wore cloth diapers. If it was cold of course, they would be more wrapped up.
Children also often wore only cloth wrapped around their middles like shorts.

In these times, men wore tunics, a sort of knee-length t-shirt made of wool or linen.
They often wore it only over one shoulder. They would wear a wool cloak if it was cold out and would use them as blankets if they needed to (for example, if they were fighting in a war). Their legs were bare and they wore leather sandals if they weren’t barefoot.
Many men went barefoot their whole lives.
Women wore one large piece of wool or linen, wrapped around them and pinned in various ways to make it stay. Pinning changed over time. When it was cold, women also wore cloaks or blankets to keep them warm. Besides tunics, women wore a simple garment known as a stola and usually followed the fashions of their Greeks contemparies. Wool was the most commonly used fabric during ancient times. This was the best fabric to keep people warm during the winter. Silk and cotton were imported from China and
India. Silk was very rare and expensive; a luxury that only the rich could afford.

Togas were mostly worn in this time period.

0-1000 A.D.
During these times, men wore loose tunics made from wool because the material was sturdy. Women wore longer tunics that were laced up the back to give it a tight fit that hugged the body. Wealthy men and women may have had silk tunics imported from Asia. Only the royalty had silk because it was expensive to import and dye with various colors. Tunic wearers gathered their clothes at the waist with a band. The tunic had an opening on each side cut down to the hip for easy movement. The tunic styling was simple, with the neck slit open in a V called the vente, and wide elbow-length sleeves. Often the vente was embroidered with bright colors. A shirt of white fabric and long sleeves was worn under the tunic and the cloth. During the cold months, both men and women wore mantles of wool held in place by a metal brooch or secured by drawing a fold of the mantle through a ring attached to the garment shoulder.

For underclothing, men wore white pants called braies. Men wore stockings called chausses made from wool. Chausses were bound to the leg with leather or cord cross-garters and banded at the ankle and knee.

Women wore a linen shift under their clothing. They did not wear braies but may have worn tight-fitting clothes underneath.

For footwear, men often wore low leather boots that rose about 2 inches above the ankle. Shoes for both women and men were yellow, green, blue, or, red with rolled-over tops that were decorated with colored bands.

Clothing had definitely changed over time. It became more detailed and it wasn’t
Just to protect them.

1000-1800
Of course, tunics were still in style in the 1300s. Both men and women wore them.
Saxon men wore shirts and tunics. They also wore breeches. Women wore long linen garments with long tunics over it.

During the 1500s, men wore breeches and a jacket called a doublet. Women wore a linen garment called a shift under a long dress. Women wore frames under dresses called farthingales under their dress. Both sexes wore hats.

In Italy, women wore long dresses with sleeves that reached the floor, these were
Called houppelandes. These gowns were extreme and extravagant. They were worn
With headpieces that contained feathers and jewels. They were also swagged and
Draped.

In the 1680s, men wore breeches, stocking, and boots. They wore waistcoats with a frock coat on top. Women still wore shifts and long dresses.

In the 1700s, Europeans widened their silhouettes for both men and women, following the tall and narrow look from the 1680s and 90s. Men wore white wigs.
Natural hair was powdered white to achieve the fashionable look.
In the 1800s, women started wearing knickers. Suspenders were invented by Albert
Thurston. Soon after that, the safety pin was invented. Women began wearing bustles that made their dresses bulge in the back.

Clothing in the 1700s 1800- the present
Fashion in the 1800s changed dramatically as the 19th century began. Dresses
Became slightly more structured with padded hems and firmer fabrics. Soft colors
Returned after a 10 year absence. Sleeves began to grow fuller at the shoulder, and high waists endured throughout this period. Skirt hems widened ever so slightly. In the 1830s, the first cross cut sleeves appeared. The previous shoulder fullness
Dropped toward the elbow and sleeves became enormous. Ankle length skirts became quite full and needed several petticoats beneath for support.

By 1855, the cage crinoline or hoop had swayed on to the scene and skirts expanded to
Their maximum size. Women were delighted to wear the cage as it provided relief from
The weight of numerous petticoats and the plethora of undergarments that needed to be
Washed. The hoop was worn almost universally.

In the early 1870s, the shoulders were allowed to return to the position
nature
Intended. The new look for evening was three-quarter length sleeves with a square neckline. In the 1880s, popular demand brought back the bustle, but with changes. It was now worn at a lower placement with a narrower width. Dresses worn over this new frame were sturdier, being constructed in heavier fabrics such as velvet, satin, and wool.
Color were darker with green, deep wine, navy blue, and black.
Cotton and linen was used for the summer. 1800s-the present (cont.)
In the early 1900s, fashion began to loosen up. Softer lines rather than using corsets.
Tea gowns were worn, having a long, slim shape. Pleated skirts were worn with belts at the hip. Peasant dresses had embroidered designs.

In the 1920s, certain women still wore conservative dresses, but younger women made sportswear a fad. Tubular dresses were popular amongst teenagers along with shorter skirts.

In the 1930s, sportswear was still popular. Bright, wool swimsuits became a fad with large hats.

During this time of war, the 1940s, fashion became very simplified because shops closed down. Skirts were drastically lengthened and widened.
American ready-to-wear fashion became a necessity.

In the 1950s, short skirts and wide shoulders took over the era. Hourglass silhouettes were widely favored. Poodle and circle skirts were popular amongst young women while pencil skirts were for older women.

In the 1960s, go-go boots became very popular. The bikini came into fashion, the mini skirt was introduced, and false eyelashes were worn. Wild prints and colors covered garments. Women also wore bell bottom
jeans.

In the 1970s, frayed jeans became popular. High-waisted jeans also became popular. People started to wear glitzy, glamorous clothes to be noticed in nightclubs. 1800s- the present (cont.)

As the 80s arrived, tight mini skirts and shoulder pads became the new craze.
Every girl had a pair of leg warmers and a pair of massive earrings.

In the 90s, teens liked the grunge look. Rock t-shirts, flannels, and greasy hair was the look. Babydoll dresses with thigh high stockings were also popular.

Denim became hugely popular in the 2000s. People began to dress more casual and not with a specific style. Crop tops and low-waisted jeans were popular too.