Ancient history

What was the pilgrims clothes made of?

The Pilgrims who arrived at Plymouth in 1620 wore clothing that was typical of the lower social classes in England at that time. Pilgrim men wore shirts, knee breeches, waistcoats, and long stockings, while women wore dresses, kirtles, and long aprons. All of these garments would mainly have been made from wool, a warm, durable fabric that was easy to care for. Pilgrim clothing would most likely have been brown, black, or grey, as these were common colours for clothing at that time. They may also have worn some small amount of items such as caps or trim made of leather, fur, or linen, but the majority of their clothing would have been wool.

- Shirts: Pilgrim men wore loose, white linen shirts, while women wore kirtles, which were long, loose overdresses.

- Breeches: Men wore knee breeches, which were loose, baggy pants that gathered at the knee.

- Waistcoats: Men also wore waistcoats, which were short, sleeveless jackets that fit close to the body.

- Stockings: Both men and women wore long stockings, which were made of wool or cotton.

- Dresses: Women wore long, loose dresses that were belted at the waist.

- Aprons: Women often wore long aprons to protect their dresses.

- Outerwear: Pilgrims also wore cloaks, capes, and shawls to keep warm. These were typically made of wool or fur.