Blue Wool Frock Coat
and Brown Velveteen Knee Breeches
Probably from the United States of America, 1775-85
Typical unadorned wool frock coat with silver buttons and high turned-down collar.
Gift of Mrs. George W. Denison.
Lent by The Western Reserve Historical Society
WRHS 65.124.1ab 
Installation stockings, shoes and neck stock

 White Linen Ruffled Shirt
United States of America, late 18th century
Lent by The Western Reserve Historical Society
Gift of Miss Marguerite Chapman
WRHS 61.82.8
Click here for a view of the shirt

   
Olive and Brown Striped Silk Frock Coat,
Ivory Embroidered Silk Vest and Bag-wig
Probably from Italy, c.1790
The original woolen English frock coat was the inspiration for numerous later imitations. Elements such as the high turned-down collar and limited surface decoration link this coat to the newly improved frock. A transitional style, it was worn with a short vest cut horizontally at the waist, and had a high collar with revers, also called lapels, and elaborate embroidery. These garments were worn with a gray bag-wig composed of horsehair in back and human hair in front. The ponytail is encased in a brown cotton glazed drawstring bag embellished with a self-fabric rosette and metal buckle.
Lent by The Cincinnati Museum of Art
Gift of Theodore Gantz in Memory of Otto Charles Thieme
CMA 1996.448a-c

Black Leather Boots
United States of America, c.1800
Boots worn by E.H. Fitch from Ashtabula County, future State Senator.
When boots started to appear in polite society, their presence was viewed as offensive. Elaborate shoes echoed the refined garments worn by men and women until this time. With the new fashion for informality and riding gear, boots soon became extremely popular as they allowed greater freedom of movement in any weather. As mans' footwear moved toward greater practicality, woman's footwear remained delicate and contributed to limiting their geographic sphere of activities.
Lent by The Western Reserve Historical Society
Gift of E. H. Fitch, Hudson, Ohio
WRHS 54.221