Fashion Crisis? I think yes.

Looking back at the time of the Colonial Era, numerous aspects of life have evolved, physically and mentally. Fashion and clothing is one of the aspects to consider, if one was to travel back around four hundred years into the past. The clothing of men were equally as fancy and lavish as the clothing of women. However, the decorative and elegant clothing came with a price, which not all were able to pay. 

Traditionally the attire of women consisted of a long dress or gown. The dress often had a close-fitting top or bodice with a low or high neckline. Shawls were wrapped around the bust area to cover any exposed skin around the neckline. The bottom half of the gown was full and heavy, reaching down to the woman's ankles or to the floor. Most working women would have an apron wrapped around their waist. However in most cases, women had a more special attire for Sundays. Wealthier women afforded fancier and flimsier fabrics like silk, satin and velvet. In rare cases, their shoes would also be made of silk. Casually outdoors, thick and wooden shoes like clogs were worn in order to protect their feet on the rough surfaces outside. Indoors, delicate slippers were simply worn. As for adding the finishing touches to the outfits, hats with long feathers or bonnets were worn outside as opposed to wearing mob caps indoors. 

For colonial men, outfits consisted of breeches, stockings, a waistcoat or doublet and perhaps a coat.  Breeches took the place of todays pants, except more puffy and full. The stockings met the breeches at the knee, which are like knee-high socks. The waist coat was the main component of the man's upper area. It is almost like the shirts that men wear today. Depending on the man's wealth, the outfit would also include a coat or a "suit jacket." Like the women's clothing, the men's attire varied based on wealth and how much one could afford to buy. Overall, it is safe to say, that fashion has most definitely evolved from four hundred years ago.