Clothing through American History

Kathleen A. Staples is a textile historian and curator specializing in the cultural and technical histories of fabrics and embroidery in early-modern England and colonial America. She has served as curator or historical advisor for exhibitions at museums such as The Charleston Museum. Madelyn Shaw is an independent curator and historian specializing in the exploration of American history and culture through textiles and dress. She had held curatorial and administative positions at museums such as Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Museum.

Preface
Chronology, 1585–1785
1. Settling British Colonial America
The People
The Individual and the Family
Health and Hygiene
The Economy
References
2. Society, Culture, and Dress
Clothing as Fashion
Clothing as Communication
Clothing and Ornamentation as Mediating Agents
Clothing for Social Rituals
Clothing and Fabrics as Currency
Access to Clothing
References
3. Clothing and Textile Technologies and Trades, 1607–1785
Clothing Technology
Problems in Terminology
Bespoke and Ready-Made Clothing
Imported Fabrics
Colonial Production of Textiles: Homespun
Fabric Quantities for Clothing
Colonial Clothing Trades and Crafts
References
4. Women's Fashion
1608–1714
The Evolution of Cut, Construction, and Silhouette, 1608–1714
Clothing for the Enslaved, 1620–1714
Clothing of American Indians, 1607–1714
Clothing in Portraiture, 1616–1714
Composition of a Wardrobe, 1608–1714
1715–1785
The Evolution of Cut, Construction, and Silhouette, 1715–1785
Clothing in Portraiture, 1715–1785
Clothing for the Enslaved, 1715–1785
Clothing of American Indians, 1715–1785
Composition of a Wardrobe, 1715–1785
References
5. Men's Clothing
1607–1714
The Evolution of Cut, Construction, and Silhouette, 1607–1714
Clothing for the Enslaved, 1620–1714
Clothing of American Indians, 1607–1714
Composition of a Wardrobe, 1607–1714
1715–1785
The Evolution of Cut, Construction, and Silhouette, 1715–1785
Clothing in Portraiture, 1751–1785
Clothing for the Enslaved, 1715–1785
Clothing of American Indians, 1715–1785
Composition of a Wardrobe, 1715–1785
References
6. Children's Fashions
Concepts of Childhood in Colonial America
Infants: Birth to Three Months
Infants and Toddlers: Three Months to Three Years
Girls: Three to Eleven Years, 17th Century
Boys: Three to Eleven Years, 17th Century
Girls: Three to Eleven Years, 18th Century
Boys: Three to Eleven Years, 18th Century
Children over Twelve
Enslaved, Apprenticed, and Indentured Children
American Indian Children
Composition of a Wardrobe
Availability of Children's Ready-Made Clothing
References
Glossary: The Colonial Period
Resource Guide: The Colonial Period
Print Resources
Museums
Index