The Potency, Governance, and Consumption of Attire in the Pre-20th-Century Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States

This paper examines a new departure in the study of clothing/fashion/dress in Pre-Twentieth century Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States, focusing on the internal and external influences which impacted upon early inhabitants' ways of dressing, their societal attitudes and social demeanor. The study compares the influences on attire and finery in early society with the European context and examines the influences caused by world-wide dominant events, ideas and social groups, and their effect on societal and cultural attitudes. Also, clothing as a symbolic indicator of status which influenced the class distinction in early society.

Fashion’s ultimate function of signifying power and prestige, which linked with financial capability, and its impact on society and societal practice, is significant. The paper examines the affiliation between early clothing and the economic growth in the context of the development of the clothing economy.

The paper will investigate the sociological aspects, such as social standing and structure, function and position of fashion and finery in early Mid-Atlantic social history. It will also examine the influences and effects of provincial and cosmopolitan factors, the impacts of the media, tradition, practice, climatic conditions, civic and civil affairs as well as the efficient use of the clothing resources and materials utilized. In addition, the chronological concentration and appraisal of the apparel used in pre 1900 Mid-Atlantic Region will be discussed with emphasis on the similarities and differences of fashionable attire. The psychology and sociology of costume and fashion, as well as the fundamental distinctiveness and distinctions of early attire will be analytically discussed.