Lower Class: How Did Farmer's Dress? (2024)

Farmers and other agricultural workers during this period probably didn’t have too many spare sets of clothes, if they had any spare sets at all. Though fashion changed considerably throughout this time period for the upper classes, the outfits of the common people would have remained much the same. Men probably wore linen undergarments, woolen hose or breeches, a linen shirt or smock, and a woolen coat or tunic. On his feet he would have worn leather shoes, around his waist, a leather belt from which he could hang a bag or other tools. In an effort to protect the domestic wool trade, a 1571 law required that all men over the age of six own a woolen cap for wear on Sundays, so he would have had won of those as well during the latter half of the Tudor period.

Women would have also worn linen undergarments. Over that, they would have worn a kirtle, like a long gown, made of either wool or linen. A belt at the waist would have enabled her to carry a purse or other tools. She probably would have also worn an apron, perhaps with decorative patterns, to protect her kirtle, as well as to give her a place to carry items such as hot pans or bundles of wood. Her shoes would also have been made of leather.

These clothes would have been good for working outdoors, and kept their wearers comfortable and warm in the wintertime. They may have been the color of natural wool or linen, or they may have been dyed with plants into shades of many different colors.

Sources: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03pmlbm

Lower Class: How Did Farmer's Dress? (2024)

FAQs

Lower Class: How Did Farmer's Dress? ›

Men probably wore linen undergarments, woolen hose

hose
Hose are any of various styles of men's clothing for the legs and lower body, worn from the Middle Ages through the 17th century, when the style fell out of use in favour of breeches and stockings. The old plural form of "hose" was "hosen".
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Hose_(clothing)
or breeches, a linen shirt or smock, and a woolen coat or tunic. On his feet he would have worn leather shoes, around his waist, a leather belt from which he could hang a bag or other tools.

What type of clothes did farmers wear? ›

Agricultural clothing: jumpsuit, sweater or rib

Farmworkers can wear different workwear while performing their activities. Coveralls and work overalls are the more used by farmers as work clothes. Overalls for farmers are often worn over everyday clothes.

What did the lower class wear in the 1800s? ›

In 1800 working-class people wore linen underwear, men wore woollen outer clothing, and women wore cotton, linen and woollen dresses.

What do stereotypical farmers wear? ›

The stereotype is a guy with a straw hat, bib overalls, wheat hanging from his mouth and a pitchfork.

What did farmers wear in the 1950s? ›

For farmers and other men (and sometimes women) doing manual labor, the bib overall was almost synonymous with “work clothes.” It was also an ideal garment for active children.

What clothes did peasants wear? ›

Peasant Clothing

Peasant men wore stockings or tunics, while women wore long gowns with sleeveless tunics and wimples to cover their hair. Sheepskin cloaks and woolen hats and mittens were worn in winter for protection from the cold and rain. Leather boots were covered with wooden patens to keep the feet dry.

How to dress as a farmer? ›

Farmers will typically be found wearing overalls over their normal clothing to protect them against the elements, particularly during spells of harsh weather. Farm wear needs to be practical, allowing the wearer to move freely and remain at a comfortable temperature to allow them to perform their duties effectively.

What did poor peasants wear? ›

Medieval peasants wore basic functional clothing made from linen, hemp, or wool. Men and women wore hose, a chemise (a long tunic-like shirt), and a tunic or kirtle, an outer top or dress made of nicer fabric. Men also wore breeches and loose pants tied at the waist and knee.

What colors did the lower class wear? ›

Clothing in greys, browns and muted blues were thought most suitable for the lower class. While brighter colours were seen as less humble and unsuitable for common people. That does of course not mean that commoners never wore brighter colours, but people with higher status disapproved of the practice.

Did the lower class wear corsets? ›

Yes, They Did Wear Them: Working-Class Women and Corsetry in the Nineteenth Century.

What did early farmers wear? ›

Men probably wore linen undergarments, woolen hose or breeches, a linen shirt or smock, and a woolen coat or tunic. On his feet he would have worn leather shoes, around his waist, a leather belt from which he could hang a bag or other tools.

What do female farmers wear? ›

A high-quality fleece jacket is a go-to staple for farmers and outdoorsmen and women. Some of the most effective women's farm work clothing offer utility features. Multi-pocket gilets and utility vests are the ideal way to keep smaller essentials on-hand as you work.

What are farmer jeans called? ›

Overalls have provided protection and usefullness to farmers for nearly 300 years. Chandler Hansen. Special to Wisconsin State Farmer. One of the farmer's most trusted pieces of equipment through the years hasn't been a type of machinery or tool, but a piece of clothing.

When did farmers start wearing jeans? ›

The reason for their success has as much to do with their cultural meaning as their physical construction. They were first designed as workwear for labourers on the farms and mines of America's Western states in the late 19th Century.

What did early farmers look like? ›

Comparisons of their genes with those of modern Europeans indicate that the farmers were shorter than the Western hunter-gatherers who occupied most of the continent. They also had dark hair, dark eyes and, probably, lighter skin.

Did peasants wear red? ›

Men wore tunics and long stockings. Women wore long dresses and stockings made of wool. Some peasants wore underwear made of linen, which was washed “regularly.” The most common colors for peasant clothing were brown, red or gray.

What did farmers wear in the 1800s? ›

The Work Smock and standard Workshirt stayed the same, but the waistcoat worn over the shirt was shorter, and trousers were commonly worn instead of breeches. Neckwear was still very standard at this time, and a cotton cravat was worn.

What type of clothes did farmers wear in colonial times? ›

Cotton was prevalent then so probably cotton shirts and wool pants. All farmers wore hats, either straw or some kind of fur in winter. Boots and longjohns completed the outfit.

Which type of clothing best describes how farmers dressed? ›

The type of clothing that best describes how farmers dressed is homemade clothes. Farmers made their own clothes from materials like wool and cotton. They would use materials that were readily available to them, which could vary depending on the region they lived in.

What type of clothing did farmers wear in ancient Egypt? ›

Poor people and peasants wore rougher linen clothing made from thicker fibers. Clothing during Ancient Egypt was fairly simple. The linen cloth was typically white and seldom dyed another color. Very little sewing was done to items as most clothing was wrapped around and then held on with a belt.

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