Title: Women's Clothing from 1700
Headings: Women's Clothing from 1700
Women's Clothing from 1700
Undergarments
Shift
Stockings
Foundation Garments
Hair
Kerchief
Shoes
Pockets
Stays
Daily Garments
Petticoats
Stomacher
Cap
Gown
Belt
Pin Ball & Scissor Clip
Outer Garments
Cape
Hood
Mittens
Basket
See Also...

Content: Women's Clothing from 1700

Women's Clothing from 1700
Many women in the early 1700's did not own more than about 2-4 outfits. Their clothing would usually be made of wool or linen and would all be hand sewn. The styles of the times dictated that elbows and knees be covered at all times! Standards of cleanliness were very different from today as germs had not been discovered yet and the links between dirt, infection and disease had not been made. This meant that clothing was not washed often and some items that did not touch the skin, such as a gown, might never be washed! Go to interactive Flash version
Undergarments
Shift
A shift would be made of linen and would serve as both nightgown and slip. A woman might only own two or three. She would wear her shift night and day, often for weeks or more at a time especially in winter, without laundering. Underpants did not exist yet so a woman would wear absolutely nothing under her shift! Stockings
Everyone wore socks called "stockings" that came up over the knee.