This page is a work-in-progress. Below are links to articles on how men and women of the 18th century dressed in America, England, and France. Also I have added links to places where you can purchase patterns to make your own historical clothing and sources to buy some custom or ready-made.
An article on what people were wearing then.
Also a search for "colonial patterns" or "colonial costume" will turn up lots of ideas. The time frame is roughly 1740-1780. If you have other sources, please send me an email and I will add it below. Email: [email protected]
One of our dancers here locally (Blacksburg) also sews. Her contact information is below:
Dana Smith
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @celticsteam
My unasked for free advice: If you are just starting to make your first historical clothing, choose a simple pattern and make it with cotton or linen. It does not need to be especially fancy or ready for the ball (unless you want it to be). Once you have some confidence and know how it will fit on you, then you may be ready for fancier fabrics and designs.
Do not overlook the major pattern companies such as Simplicity or McCalls. Many of their costume patterns are historical and are easy to make.
Patterns of Time
Townsends
Samson Historical
Laughing Moon
Etsy
Ebay
Recollections
Ensembles of the Past
Black Snail Patterns
Nehelenia Patterns
Burnley and Trowbridge
JP Ryan
Amazon Drygoods
Past Patterns
I am including this one because it is a good source, too, but it offers more of the Regency (Federalist) period and beyond.
Sense and Sensibility
For Regency Era and beyond
Fig Leaf Patterns
https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/learn/living-history/buckle/
https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/learn/living-history/buckle/
Fugawee Historical Attire for Reenactors
https://www.fugawee.com/
Want to make a bonnet to go with your Regency Era dress? Same time period as Colonial America, just British.
A wealth of links for costuming can be found here:
https://www.varegency.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=100461&module_id=407768
For those seeking to be very authentic in their Colonial attire (excellent guidelines):
https://www.washingtoncrossingpark.org/cross-with-us/clothing-guidelines/
Scottish Attire:
Inexpensive kilts and other accessories that can be customized:
https://sportkilt.com/
Sturdy kilts with pockets:
https://utilikilts.com/
Amazon sells some really cute tams:
https://www.amazon.com/scottish-tam/s?k=scottish+tam
https://www.usakilts.com/kilts-and-packages.html
Scottish ghillies (soft, ballet-like shoes)
[Note: Right/left lasted means that there is a definite right and left to the shoe. They are not interchangeable on your feet as ballet shoes are.]
https://www.jamessenior.co.uk/right-left-lasted-ghillies/
[These are Irish ghillies, but they would work.]
https://www.capeziorvc.com/md-02-sodanca-irish-ghillie/
This link includes several suppliers:
http://scda.us/where-to-get-ghillies-etc/
You can also wear black ballet shoes. They come in a variety of styles.
https://www.discountdance.com
An article on what people were wearing then.
Also a search for "colonial patterns" or "colonial costume" will turn up lots of ideas. The time frame is roughly 1740-1780. If you have other sources, please send me an email and I will add it below. Email: [email protected]
One of our dancers here locally (Blacksburg) also sews. Her contact information is below:
Dana Smith
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @celticsteam
My unasked for free advice: If you are just starting to make your first historical clothing, choose a simple pattern and make it with cotton or linen. It does not need to be especially fancy or ready for the ball (unless you want it to be). Once you have some confidence and know how it will fit on you, then you may be ready for fancier fabrics and designs.
Do not overlook the major pattern companies such as Simplicity or McCalls. Many of their costume patterns are historical and are easy to make.
Patterns of Time
Townsends
Samson Historical
Laughing Moon
Etsy
Ebay
Recollections
Ensembles of the Past
Black Snail Patterns
Nehelenia Patterns
Burnley and Trowbridge
JP Ryan
Amazon Drygoods
Past Patterns
I am including this one because it is a good source, too, but it offers more of the Regency (Federalist) period and beyond.
Sense and Sensibility
For Regency Era and beyond
Fig Leaf Patterns
https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/learn/living-history/buckle/
https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/learn/living-history/buckle/
Fugawee Historical Attire for Reenactors
https://www.fugawee.com/
Want to make a bonnet to go with your Regency Era dress? Same time period as Colonial America, just British.
A wealth of links for costuming can be found here:
https://www.varegency.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=100461&module_id=407768
For those seeking to be very authentic in their Colonial attire (excellent guidelines):
https://www.washingtoncrossingpark.org/cross-with-us/clothing-guidelines/
Scottish Attire:
Inexpensive kilts and other accessories that can be customized:
https://sportkilt.com/
Sturdy kilts with pockets:
https://utilikilts.com/
Amazon sells some really cute tams:
https://www.amazon.com/scottish-tam/s?k=scottish+tam
https://www.usakilts.com/kilts-and-packages.html
Scottish ghillies (soft, ballet-like shoes)
[Note: Right/left lasted means that there is a definite right and left to the shoe. They are not interchangeable on your feet as ballet shoes are.]
https://www.jamessenior.co.uk/right-left-lasted-ghillies/
[These are Irish ghillies, but they would work.]
https://www.capeziorvc.com/md-02-sodanca-irish-ghillie/
This link includes several suppliers:
http://scda.us/where-to-get-ghillies-etc/
You can also wear black ballet shoes. They come in a variety of styles.
https://www.discountdance.com
