A 17th century Interactive exhibit...

             The start of one, at least.  I have been commissioned by the Saugus Iron Works to make a group of costumes, representative of everyday clothing for a reasonably prosperous 1640s family.

              Clothing and the materials for clothing were quite expensive, they were made of mostly linen and wool, with many layers of fabric and stiffening, and therefore could only be made in a professional setting, usually by a tailor.

The culture of clothing was very different than our own; clothes were worn for years, sometimes decades. So, a person emigrating in the 1630s, in the 1640s they would, in all likelihood, be wearing the same clothes.
All of these things were, of course, a large factor in my decisions when designing the clothing.

         Over the next weeks, I will be sharing about the process and layers that go into the reproductions, as well as, some of the history of 17th-century clothing.  For now, I will be sharing some images that have been in my mind as I designed the costumes.

For the Men:

Detail from The Saltonstall Family c.1636




Doublet 1635-1640.  Image from the V&A Collections

Wenceslaus Hollar c.late 1630s. Image from University of Toronto

Men's and boy's clothing of the 17th-century consisted of, a shirt as the first layer, with a suit, or breeches and a doublet, with sundry accessories, mostly linens.  

For the women:

Women's and girls clothing was somewhat more varied than men's.  They could wear, with a matching or coordinating skirt, waistcoats.  Waistcoats were a more informal garment, usually worn over a pair of bodies(stays) as they were not boned or stiffened, and, therefore, could be produced, at least partly, by a seamstress.

Waistcoat 1630-40. Image from V&A Collection




Waistcoat 1625-1640. Image from Manchester Art Galleries




Wenceslaus Hollar c.1630-40. Unknown Source




 English Kitchenmaid, Wenceslaus Hollar c.1640s. Unknown Source

 Otherwise, women wore gowns or, bodices with skirts.  The main difference between a waistcoat and bodice, is that a bodice is boned and stiffened and is not worn with a pair of bodies. 


English Townswoman, Wenceslaus Hollar c.1640. Unknown Source

Englishwoman, Wenceslaus Hollar c.1640s. Unknown Source

Hester Tradescant and Son c.1645

London Citizen's Daughter, Wenceslaus Hollar c.1640. Unknown Source 

Lady with Scissors, Wenceslaus Hollar c.1640. Unknown Source

Over the next month, I will be covering these topics more in depth.  As well as, including pictures and information regarding the making of the costumes.


Ruby-grace