Pilgrim’s clothes are not like our regular clothes. They wear specialized clothes for their run. Mary Ring, a devout churchgoer, passed away in Plymouth in the year 1633, leaving behind a vest with “mixed colors,” two violet waistcoats, three blue aprons, a red petticoat, a violet petticoat, blue stockings, and white stockings.
In addition, she possessed a “mingled-color” petticoat. It was possible for her to manufacture additional outfits out of the blue, gray, and red material that was available.
William Brewster, an elderly and wise figure in Plymouth, was known for wearing blue suits, green slacks, and red caps. When Governor William Bradford was dressed in his formal attire in 1657, he wore a green gown and a violet cloak, and he accessorized with a scarlet waistcoat.
In this article, we will be discussing pilgrim’s clothes and how they wear them.
Colors
According to probate records, Pilgrims wore various colors, including violet, blue, and green in varied tints. There was also the color red, but the reds used at the beginning of the 17th century were much more orange than the reds used now.
To begin, the color that we refer to as “black” did not appear the same way it does now when it was first used in the early 17th century. Black might also refer to a dark gray, green, or blue color, and there was an abundance of real black sheep’s wool on the market. At the beginning of the 17th century, the color deep, rich black was considered to be the antithesis of religion. When the Pilgrims set sail, they did not dress in complete darkness.
Fabrics
During the 17th century, wool and linen were the predominant materials used to make clothing in England and the Netherlands. Silk was utilized in the manufacturing process of the most luxurious clothes. The use of doublets and jerkins made of light leather was more widespread among males than it was among women during that time period. There were also other textiles used, such as fustian corduroy.
However, actual samples of this fabric are now exceedingly difficult to find. You can find brushed cotton moleskin at various internet retailers that sell fabric. A select few retailers stock cotton canvases in their inventory. At the beginning of the 17th century, cotton was expensive and difficult to acquire.
Pilgrim Clothing
Fashionable garb for males
The undershirts worn by gentlemen were often made of linen and were long and loose-fitting. They wore shirts covered with a doublet, which is a long-sleeved jacket with a single row of buttons along the front.
A full suit would typically consist of a doublet and breeches. Canvas made of either wool or linen was used to weave these clothes. Garters were utilized by men to assist in the securing of wool stockings that were worn over the knees. The gentlemen wore shoes made of leather on their feet.
The men of the Capotain tribe wore towering hats called capotains that had very pointed brims. Because the pilgrims wore hats with flat tops, we now refer to certain types of headgear as Pilgrim Hats. In contrast to the widespread belief, these hats did not come with buckles when purchased.
When it came to headgear, men favored either knit wool caps or felt hats with a broad brim. The men’s collars were either flat or ruffled and made of linen. Both styles were available. Men’s outerwear typically consisted of wool coats and cloaks of varying lengths and styles.
Womenswear
The shift is an off-white linen shirt with short sleeves and is used by women as a layer of undergarment. It featured ribbons at the neck and cuffs, and the front had buttons that fastened it.
Petticoats were worn down to the ankles and secured around the waist. The bodice of this garment is attached, and the skirt is worn separately. There was a time when a garment’s sleeves were independent pieces that were only attached to the main body of the garment.
Wool was frequently used for both the top and the bottom, and the two parts frequently shared the same color. Sometimes the top and the bottom were even sewn together. Front fastenings are located on the bodice. This skirt is constructed with a gathered waist and drops down to the ankles.
On top of the outfit, the wearer wore a waistcoat with long sleeves and an apron. We couldn’t help but notice how many of the women were wearing lace from head to toe. In most cultures, women concealed their hair by wearing a coif or a cap.
Kids Wear
Both young boys and young girls wore robes up until the age of eight. This particular style of dress had a high neckline, long sleeves, lace-up detailing on the back, and a full-length skirt. It was common for younger men and women to wear clothing designed for older men and women.
Final Words
Images of Pilgrims in Western culture often depict them wearing full black clothing with golden buckles and long white collars. Additionally, the buckles on their clothing seem to be very lengthy. This is not how an authentic Pilgrim would behave at all. The pilgrims came in a dizzying array of colors from all around the world.
When compiling an estate inventory for the probate process, it was common practice to include information regarding the deceased person’s clothing color. In this article, we have discussed pilgrim traditional dress and how male-female, and children wear them. So now you can wear some clothes like the pilgrims in a variety of colors.
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