Living history interpreter Audrey Stuck-Girard explains what clothing meant to early Americans, both in material value and as a means of identifying oneself in society. We will examine images of surviving garments and artwork from the era, discussing the details of the clothing in the context of social status, gender, age, race, profession, religion, and politics. Next, we shift focus to the choices made by modern reenactors and living history interpreters when putting together our “costumes,” and the ways we use historical clothing as a tool for public engagement and education. Audrey concludes by sharing a few examples of garments she has made and worn for revolutionary-era living history events.

Audrey Stuck-Girard is a historical wigmaker and hairdresser, living history performer, and costumer.