Eighteenth Century Clothing At Williamsburg

Antique clothing worn by men, women, and children in the eighteenth century offers a revealing glimpse into the lives of colonial Virginians. Accessories such as aprons, gloves, hats, handkerchiefs, fans, shoes, stockings, and undergarments are also illustrated.

Illustrated with more than 300 color photographs, including many details and back views, What Clothes Reveal treats not only elegant, high-style clothing in colonial America but also garments for everyday and work, the clothing of slaves, and maternity and nursing apparel.".

Costume Close-up discusses the cut, fit, and construction of antique clothing of the second half of the eighteenth century. It will enable talented artisans with advanced skills to construct authentic garments and show curators, conservators, costumers, and reenactors new ways to look at such attire.

The Politics of Fashion in Eighteenth-Century America

In Creating Colonial Williamsburg, Anders Greenspan examines the restoration and re-creation of the structures and gardens of Virginia's colonial capital beginning in 1926. The restoration was undertaken by the Rockefeller family, whose aim was to promote a twentieth-century appreciation for eighteenth-century ideals. Ironically, those ideals, including democracy, individualism, and representative government, were often promoted at the expense of a more complete understanding of the town's true history. The meaning and purpose of Colonial Williamsburg has changed over time, along with America's changing social and political landscapes, making the study of this historic site a unique and meaningful entry point to understanding the shifting modern American character. In recent years, financial struggles and declining attendance forced a new interpretation of the town, extending the presentation into the period of the American Revolution, while adding new interpretive approaches such as street theater and a greater emphasis on technology. Over its eighty-year history, says Greenspan, Colonial Williamsburg has grown and matured, while still retaining its emphasis on the importance of eighteenth-century values and their application in the modern world.

Cloth was one of the most important commodities in the early modern world, and colonial North Americans had to develop creative strategies to acquire it. Although early European settlers came from societies in which hand textile production was central to the economy, local conditions in North America interacted with traditional craft structures to create new patterns of production and consumption. The Weaver's Craft examines the development of cloth manufacture in early Pennsylvania from its roots in seventeenth-century Europe to the beginning of industrialization. Adrienne D. Hood's focus on Pennsylvania and the long sweep of history yields a new understanding of the complexities of early American fabric production and the regional variations that led to distinct experiences of industrialization. Drawing on an extensive array of primary sources, combined with a quantitative approach, the author argues that in contrast to New England, rural Pennsylvania women spun the yarn that a small group of trained male artisans wove into cloth on a commercial basis throughout the eighteenth century. Their production was considerably augmented by consumers purchasing cheap cloth from Europe and Asia, making them active participants in a global marketplace. Hood's painstaking research and numerous illustrations of textile equipment, swatch books, and consumer goods will be of interest to both scholars and craftspeople.

The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking was met with incredible success and received a starred review in Library Journal. Though their first book was geared towards advanced seamstresses, Lauren and Abby’s new guide is beginner-friendly, with no prior sewing knowledge required—perfect for history enthusiasts who want to learn more about 18th century beauty, as well as seasoned costumers who want to complete their looks in authentic 18th century style. Whether readers hand sew their own gowns or buy historical costumes, they can learn how to complete the look with hairstyle tutorials that break down these elaborate updos into easy-to-follow steps, makeup recipes and application directions, and simple sewing projects like caps and other hair accessories. Each of the 40 projects features step-by-step photos to help readers get the perfect results. Lauren and Abby are incredibly involved in the historical costuming community. In 2011, Lauren founded American Duchess, a popular online store that specializes in historically accurate shoes. Their shoes and accessories have been used in productions all over the world, including ABC’s Once Upon a Time, Starz’s Outlander and American Gods, Broadway’s Hamilton: An American Musical, Dangerous Liaisons and Cinderella.