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Teacher note: A number of students contributed to these pages on Colonial times. Each contributed different information or a different perspective. You may find that each article adds to your understanding and research base.
The low class women were called servants. They had masters that they helped get dressed and served. But they did have clothes to wear. They weren't that nice but most servants were happy with what they got. They usually wore a bodice or a shirt. Their shirts didn't really come in many colors and styles. They were plain more earthy colors like brown, yellow, and black.
Their skirts were called petticoats. The color and pattern of their skirts depended on how high you were. The higher your class the more colorful and elaborate your skirts were. Their skirts were usually long with not much lace. They were also plain. Some of the dresses had dots or strips, but the servant's dresses were a plain earthy color.
Sometimes they wore scarves. They wore slips under there dresses called a shift. They came in a long or short length. All servants wore aprons on the outside of their clothes when working.
Many high-class women wore accessories, but low class women had none.
They did have hats. They had mobcaps and bonnets. The bonnets were used to the sun out of their face and to keep their body warm.
Their shoes were sturdy and strong. They wore usually leather
that was brown or black. 
Middle Class Women
These ladies were the wives of thee towns men. They were different from one another depending on how rich their husbands were. most of there styles were like the rich except the fabrics were not as fancy and there was less needle work and embroidery on their cloths. When the high class women wore silk, brocade and lace, the middle class women wore linen and wool. When the high class women had embroidery on their clothing, the middle class women did not. But the middle class women wore the same kind of dresses and shoes and stuff.
High-class women changed their clothing by the time of day; they were
fancier at night. They had many layers of clothing. Their style also changed
by seasons. Their servants had to help put on their clothes.
They also wore petticoats or a skirt. Over that they wore a gown and stomacher, which made the front of the dress. The stomacher would match the gown or petticoat. Under the dress the women wore a shift as a slip then they put on the corset which was so women who wore them could barely bend over. Corsets had lacing or ribbons on them. The never wore attached pockets. All their pockets were separate. They wore a bustle or a cage around their sides to help the dresses flare out. They always wore stockings or knee-highs that were held up by a Gardner.
SHOE Their shoes came in variety of styles. The richer you were the fancier your shoes were. Most heels had about a heel as high as 2 1/2 inches high. At home you wore slippers.
They also wore mobcaps and bonnets to keep the sun out of the way.
The accessories they had were scarves and jewels.
This site is created and maintained by Holly
Geddes.
Last updated on
March 11, 2003