This is fashion history 101 for the American context. Early American history is omnipresent in our state and region – historic houses, monuments, and markers are set off by annual reenactments and the steady flow of tourists. Fashion history is another piece of that puzzle. Learn about women’s fashion from the founding of the nation up to the end of the civil war. Discover the changing shapes of fashion, and the undergarments that supported them. This basic knowledge can enrich our understanding of the lives of the early Americans. Clothing can say a surprising amount about its wearers and their time. It affects how the wearer moves and lives. Clothes might not be the key to all understanding, but they’re a great place to start!
