The clothing early Americans found appropriate to wear in public is vastly different from today's fashion. For example, if a colonial woman was buying food or harvesting her garden, she would wear formal clothing with many layers of undergarments. The ladies who wore these fine dresses probably had servants do their shopping for them.
What a difference 200 years makes —
The clothing early Americans found appropriate to wear in public is vastly different from today's fashion. For example, if a colonial woman was buying food or harvesting her garden, she would wear formal clothing with many layers of undergarments. The ladies who wore these fine dresses probably had servants do their shopping for them.
AmericanTextile History Museum
These days, celebrities influence the type of clothing that is appropriate in public, according to Clinton Kelly of "What Not To Wear." Actress Sarah Jessica Parker, for example, wears a puffy coat, jeans and boots while carrying groceries in New York City.
Appropriate for groceries —
These days, celebrities influence the type of clothing that is appropriate in public, according to Clinton Kelly of "What Not To Wear." Actress Sarah Jessica Parker, for example, wears a puffy coat, jeans and boots while carrying groceries in New York City.
GONZALO/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty
An American woman from the mid- to late-1800s<strong> </strong>would wear many layers of silhouette-forming undergarments -- and a dress built for that sort of buttressing -- whenever she left the house.
Appropriate for walking the dog —
An American woman from the mid- to late-1800s would wear many layers of silhouette-forming undergarments -- and a dress built for that sort of buttressing -- whenever she left the house.
AmericanTextile History Museum
Actress Amanda Seyfried, left, wears shredded jeans and an oversized sweatshirt while walking her dog through Washington Square Park in New York City.
Appropriate for walking the dog —
Actress Amanda Seyfried, left, wears shredded jeans and an oversized sweatshirt while walking her dog through Washington Square Park in New York City.
Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto/FilmMagic/Getty
For nearly two centuries, a man in America would not leave his house without wearing a complete suit. Drinking coffee -- or more likely tea or drinking chocolate -- in an 18th century cafe would have compelled a man to display an outfit of finery. This three-piece suit would have been worn by someone in the upper class.
Appropriate for grabbing coffee —
For nearly two centuries, a man in America would not leave his house without wearing a complete suit. Drinking coffee -- or more likely tea or drinking chocolate -- in an 18th century cafe would have compelled a man to display an outfit of finery. This three-piece suit would have been worn by someone in the upper class.
AmericanTextile History Museum
Actress Kaley Cuoco opts for comfy and casual while grabbing Starbucks in Los Angeles.
Appropriate for grabbing coffee —
Actress Kaley Cuoco opts for comfy and casual while grabbing Starbucks in Los Angeles.
Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty
An American man during the 19th century would have worn an "indoor wrapper" when entertaining close friends at home.
Appropriate for a lazy weekend —
An American man during the 19th century would have worn an "indoor wrapper" when entertaining close friends at home.
AmericanTextile History Museum
Actor Russell Brand wears legwarmers, a shawl and knit layers while out and about -- not even at his house or a yoga studio.
Appropriate for a lazy weekend —
Actor Russell Brand wears legwarmers, a shawl and knit layers while out and about -- not even at his house or a yoga studio.
Rex USA
American women of the Victorian era would wear an "indoor wrapper" while hosting female friends in their homes for polite conversation or needlepointing.
Appropriate for hanging out —
American women of the Victorian era would wear an "indoor wrapper" while hosting female friends in their homes for polite conversation or needlepointing.
AmericanTextile History Museum
Actress pals Reese Witherspoon and Naomi Watts head to a yoga class in leggings and sweatshirts.
Appropriate for hanging out —
Actress pals Reese Witherspoon and Naomi Watts head to a yoga class in leggings and sweatshirts.
Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty