Further Useful Findings

Frock Coat: Coats are generally made of a good close and regular weave wool. They can be with or without a collar and cuffs and either single or double breasted. Coats are not for "dress" - all classes wore coats, from the upper class to slaves. The difference would be the quality of construction and material. Generally made of wool or linen. Coats of the 1750's tended to be full with large cuff, while those of the 1770's were more fitted with smaller features.

Jacket / Sleeved Waistcoat: A short coat of wool or linen with sleeves ending in either a buttoned cuff or a slit. Mostly a working class piece of clothing.




Breeches: Breeches can be made of wool, linen or leather. Breaches of the 1770's had a "fall front" or a flap in the front, which buttons near the waistline, covered by the waistcoat. An earlier style was the "fly front", which buttoned up in the middle of the front and would have been hidden by the longer waistcoats of the 1750 - 60's. The legs end about one or two inches below the knee and close with five horn, wooden, or white metal buttons or four buttons and either a buckle or drawstring. Breeches should be well fitted, rather than tight in the legs and waist with an excess in the seat. Leather breeches were very popular in New Jersey; made of buckskin by the working classes for durability.When picking a style, either fall or fly front, make sure that your breeches, waistcoat, and coat are of the same period.




Waistcoats: Mid-century waistcoats were cut mid-thigh, but by the 1770's they would get shorter, long enough to cover the waistband buttons and shirt completely. They were made of materials such as silk or a lightweight linen or wool which would be either solid, striped or patterned. Regardless of style, a waistcoat should be long enough to cover the front buttons of one's breeches.