Greencastle, PA

History: The latter part of the eighteenth century was marked by revolutions! 1770 found our ancestors at the dawn of the birth of a new nation brought about by a revolutionary war led by rebels such as Washington, Franklin and Jefferson.  The French Revolution began in 1789 and ended with the establishment of the Directoire government in 1795.  Before the end of the century, the steam engine was invented and the Industrial Revolution was under way.

Fashion: The fashion capitol of the world was Paris.  Open robe dresses (wide skirts with the center open that exposed fancy petticoats) and closed robe dresses (no opening) were worn.  The seductive low necklines were accented with a bow.  Rows upon rows of lace adorned the elbow length sleeves.  Less formal styles (undress) were worn during the day.  Simpler, more casual fashions, but only a bit more comfortable, were worn in the 1780’s.  High-waisted cotton chemise dresses, with fichu draped bodices, and full trailing skirts entered the fashion world in the 1790’s.

Hats: It was also at this time that the golden age of millinery began.  Milliners in the 18^th century not only made hats, bonnets, and large mop caps, but also created elaborate dress trimmings, fly fringes, and laces.

ca. 1770–1800   A green silk calash drawn bonnet originally invented to be worn over the high hairstyles of the 1770’s. 

A long lasting design, it continued to be worn by women until at least the 1830’s!  Because of some design changes, the later bonnets did not collapse as did the earlier ones.