Title: Colonial America for Kids: Women's Clothing
Headings: Colonial America
Colonial America
Women's Clothing

Content: Wealthy women often wore softer, lighter clothes made from satin and silk. Typical Women's Clothing Items
Most women during colonial times wore very similar clothing items. The materials used, quality, and decorations of the clothing varied depending on the woman's wealth and type of work. Clothing was often defined as "dress" or "undress". Formal clothing was called "dress" while everyday working clothes were called "undress". Shift - The shift was the undergarment (underwear) worn by women. It was usually made from white linen and was like a long shirt or short dress that went down to the knees. Woman in Gown
Photo by Ducksters
Stay - The stay was worn over the shift. The stay was very stiff and uncomfortable. It was lined with hard materials like bones, wood, or metal in order to stay straight.