The Way We Wore: Late Georgian (1750-1790)

1750-1780 saw two movements in women's dress: First, an exaggeration of early 18th-C. styles, including incredibly wide panniers and towering coiffures, and second, a romantic adaptation of peasant dress. Clothing for men gradually and steadily grew slimmer and neater. In the last decade of the era, new styles rapidly appeared. The further development of peasant styles created elegant and simple garments which omitted the pannier. For men, knee breeches tightened, vests shortened, and coat skirts reduced to slim tails. Extreme ornamentation disappeared after 1780. Until that time, elaborate brocades, satins, damasks, taffetas, embroideries, wools, plaids, stripes, and printed cottons were fashionable; after 1780, simple fabrics became more popular. Except for court dress, woolen broadcloth replaced satin and brocade in menswear, and cotton muslin became the fabric of choice for women. Velvet was used for overgowns and turbans. Before 1780 light colors remained fashionable; afterwards, white or light-colored muslin was often paired with heavier fabrics in dark, rich colors.