Research Symposium

BIO

I am a senior History major completing my Honors in the Major this semester. My research interests focus on women's fashion in the American colonies, Britain, and France during the 18th century. I will be attending the University of Glasgow's Dress and Textile History graduate program in the fall.

The Politics of Fashion: Women's Clothing in Colonial America 1760-1775

Abstract

My research discusses women’s fashion during the Revolutionary War period in North America, specifically focusing on how political beliefs influenced the styles of clothing women wore. The material culture of the colonies was changed by the dramatic shifts occurring in a short period of time, from tolerating monarchical rule, to pushing for independence and a new governmental system. My research reveals how women used clothing during this period as a way to communicate personal political beliefs and societal values.
I will examine the British colonies of North America, and their relationship with England and France leading up to and during the Revolutionary War. I intend to focus mainly on upper class, wealthy women, due to their ability to keep up with the rapid changes in styles from London and Paris and alter their wardrobe to fit the newest modes.
From the period of 1760 to the start of the Revolutionary War, I discuss the conflict between nonimportation acts and the colonial dependence on England for imported goods. During the Revolutionary War, I look at how wartime impacted women’s clothing, and how social pressures further influenced what women wore. Women’s perceived virtue and status was determined by the clothing they wore, and the type of fabric used in their clothing. Implications of clothing changed throughout the period, and varied by location, creating an inconsistent but socially necessary language of fashion.

Keywords: history, fashion, colonial america