This is an example of an 18th century mens cloak fashioned after a similar model in Williamsburg Virginia. The cloak is constructed of 12 ounce wool with hand sewn seams. The example shown would have been worn by a mid-class farmer or merchant. These garments were utilitarian and could be worn throughout the fall and even into the winter months. Strangely enough, fashionable men took their lead from the coats worn by coachmen. These working men had to stay warm and dry in all kinds of weather since most of their time was spent sitting on top of their carriages, not inside them. They wore long coats with shoulder capes and secondary collars that could be turned up to protect the wearer from the weather, almost forming hoods. This is not to say that cloaks passed out of the historical record. A beautiful example is housed in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg. It was made from bright red plain weave wool that was fulled. As the century progressed, more shoulder capes were added. In the 19th century, the coat evolved into the Gladstone coat. This cloak could be worn by any soldier, merchant or middle class citizen. It would make an excellent garment to wear on campaign, since it can be rolled up similar to a blanket and fastened to the body with rope, or tump line.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 22:42:45 +0000
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