t is debatable as to whether this subject should come up before or after the matter of "Choosing a Persona". Truly, both issues go hand-in-hand. Who you choose to be greatly influences how you dress, BUT how can you be certain of the type of person you want to portray when you haven't participated in at least one or two events? And to participate (as opposed to being a tourist) you must dress the part. In my opinion, you need a simple, basic outfit that will make you fit in at reenactments while you are learning and meeting friends. Then, as you begin to realize the possibilities of an 18th Century life, you can alter and add to your basic outfit to fit the direction you choose to go.

"Don't buy/make any more gear

than necessary to attend

events for a while. Explore

groups and personas for a

time to find the right fit.

Then start purchasing

quality materials and goods

that fit into your

portrayal. You will save

money by not having

unwanted/unusable gear down

the road. A gun should be

one of the last purchases

made, as they are an

expensive item and fairly

time,nationality, and region

specific. (of course you can

never have too many guns!)"

....or at least "common". That is the best advice I can offer.

There are several reasons for doing this. It gives you an excuse for

not owning many items yet. It puts you in the majority, since there were many more poor people in the 18th century than wealthy ones. You are more likely to 'get it right' the first time when making commonly poor clothes. And even if you later decide to upgrade to a more fancy look, you will always find use for the simple garments that you started with. And my main reason for preferring the "poor" look is....because it is more FUN!

No matter what class of 18th century society you wish to belong to, there are a few rules that pertain to everyone.

1. Use only natural fibers. Wool, linen, cotton, hemp, and leather. (English wore more linen, French wore more wool)

2. Machine sewn garments are acceptable, as long as any visible stitching is hand-sewn (hemming and top-stitching)

3. Invest in period-correct shoes. You might get by with a pair of modern black shoes at a big circus event, but you definately want to invest in a pair of 18th century shoes, moccasins or sabots as soon as you can.

4. If you wear glasses, get a pair in period-correct frames. They're small, they aren't the most comfortable, but they are a must for creating the right look. You can buy the frames from Jas. Townsend & Son, take them to Wal Mart and have your lenses put in them.

5. Abandon your modern views of vanity. What is considered attractive in 2004 is not what was attractive in 1760. Ladies, especially, must accept that the 18th Century colonial woman did not wear makeup. (GASP!)