kass

The hats that existed just before the three-sided cocked hat were basically un-cocked hats or hats cocked on only one or two sides. So you can definitely see the evolution of the style.

Keep talking like that, Chole, and I might be encouraged to work on more!

I dunno... Fashion? And you don't usually need much in the way of sun protection in Northern Europe.

Yes, Chole. That's precisely what I meant. Your naked shoulders shouldn't be showing. :) I love that picture. It's about the only time the sun shone that day!

Yes, Chole. It's called "The Rudiments of Genteel Behavior" by Francis Nivelon. It's a facsimile copy of the 1737 edition of the book. I can't wait to devour it!

Ah yes! Of course. I knew something important was missing from my list!

I always think it's best to err on the lower end of things. Even very wealthy people dressed down sometimes (as evidenced for the plain wool coats we have in museums thanks to the donations of noble families). So you can play a variety of roles if you're dressed simply -- everything from common labourer to local administrator. But once you're over-dressed, you're stuck. You can't be flexible. And that's no fun. Plus it looks like "all chiefs and no indians"...

yes Kass, but it does no good if you don't find any *pictures* of the ladies that should be wearing those mantuas now does it. I could probibly reconstruct each of the mens coats in my sleep but have yet to see a picture of the front of your dress, hint hint. Hint taken, Chole! And guess what I'm working on writing today. Thanks for the nudge!

Touche, Blackjohn.

Jenny, I think you're placing a little too much modern independence on 18th century thought. We are raised to be individuals, to not let anyone tell us what to do or oppress us in any way. In the 18th century, it really wasn't that way. People were raised with the idea that they needed to fit into society and not stir the pot too much. Those who did step outside the norm were ostrasized, and being outside society in this period meant you didn't live very long. I suggest you read as many period diaries and thought pieces as you can get your hands on and you will see what I mean. Putting our modern perceptions onto 18th century thought is a big mistake. If you want to know what they thought, read what they wrote.

Chole, you're certainly not the only one to think about these things. Matter of fact, I just got a book on this very subject on my trip last week. Foxe and I arm wrestled over who was going to buy it and I won! So I don't have an answer for you right this minute, but I'll read the book and bump this thread in a couple of days.

Mostly, but not exclusively the Rev War folks. There were people at the event who had the opportunity to read your scenario and still overdressed. I'm sure they didn't think about it though. I just remember getting out of the car on Saturday and seeing people and thinking, "No one in the entire colony of Maryland had that much frooferrah!" My message is this: think about where you're supposed to be as well as when. And always err on the side of dressing more simply.

Pretty... You better make sure I don't get to Virginia before you, Greg! I covet that hand mortar... John Buck does such excellent work!

And I'd like to add a guide for the women: 1) a simple shift. It doesn't have to be perfect because very little of it will be seen. Just something to wear under your stays. And please don't pull the neckline over your shoulders. 2) petticotes. At least two and neither of them hitched up. Also avoid making them too long. Your shoes should show. They could even be as short as mid-calf. We're not Victorians after all! 3) stays. Not a corset or a bodice but a simple set of straight 18th century stays. And a properly-made set of stays will support your back and it won't hurt from standing all day. I cannot stress how important a good set of stays are! 4) cap and kerchief. Add this to the above and you are decently (if not fully) dressed. -------- The Absolute Beginner Can Stop Here ----------- 5) a mantua. They're not just for the upper class. We have pictures of beggars and common women wearing them. And they're dead simple to make. I can make one in four hours and that's sewing everything by hand! Plus they're fairly "one size fits many" so you can always lend one to a friend. 6) straight lasted latchet shoes. I have to admit that I just got my first pair of straight lasted shoes a couple weeks ago. I wore them for the first time last weekend and I will never bother with right/left shoes again. These are FAR more comfortable. But for beginners, anything with the right shape will pass. 7) stockings. Knit or cut cloth. And garters to hold them up with. Tied around the knee. 8) pockets. On a string tied around your waist under your uppermost petticote. Someplace to keep all your possessions. Not in a pouch that shows. 9) Women didn't commonly wear cocked hats. They wore them when out riding and that's about it, generally speaking. So leave the "boy hats" at home and wear a linen cap. One short of ten, but I can't think of anything else a woman needs...

I was secretly having the same thoughts as Pat, John. But it's not the pirates I thought were overdressed. It was the townspeople. I mean, come on! We're supposed to be a village on the Susquehanna River in 1696, right? Why were so many women dressed for a society ball?!?!?!? Mantuas, people. Simple wool mantuas. And proper caps. Cover your bleeding hair!

I just got back from an event at which I wore the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned, bar none. I have horrible feet and I'm sore after a day of walking around in even the most comfortable sneakers. But these shoes made my feet feel like I wasn't standing at all. It was amazing. I got them in England at the Living History Fayre in Warwick a few weeks ago. A gentleman named Andy Burke made them: Andy Burke Historical Shoes and Boots He does custom work, but these were off the rack. And yet they fit me like they were made for me. Andy's a great guy and he's more than willing to ship to the US. If you want really period-correct shoes that are comfortable and gorgeous, contact him!

Why hacksaw when you can Photoshop?

The detail work is simply stunning, Broadside. It's absolutely flawless! I would love to see what you could do with some real wool melton and worsted braid trim!

Probably Jeff Miller, our gracious host (curator of the Lockhouse) -- older guy in a light brown coat? Bob is feeling his age this morning. "Why oh why didn't I land on the ground instead of that stone wall?!" he's been moaning. One of the BEST bits was when you, Cheeks, took a shot in the back from Marko and went down like a ton of bricks. Hunting costume be damned! It was impressive.

St. Mary's Cittie is an awesome site and I've always been kinda disappointed because I think it is incredibly under-utilized. It's one of the earliest sites we have in the US and it seems nothing ever happens there. Let's make something happen!

sorry sorry eek! *cringe* S'okay. You didn't know, Jenny.

Oh do tell! Do tell! Could I have a real coffeehouse? Like as in a real building? And perhaps a tailor's shop that catered to reenactors? You know, they used to do this thing for a week every summer at Belleville (I think). Reenactors would come and basically populate the town for a week.

Clothing. We call it "clothing".

That's okay, Kenneth. Everyone can have a gross-out moment. I wouldn't have moderated it in any other forum. It just wasn't "scholarly" enough for Captain Twill.

Sure thing. Any time.