Welcome to the 17th century...our period clothes~

As well as 18th century, we also do 17thc. reenacting. This era has great appeal for us, and although the ladies' and gentlemen's clothing of the mid-1700's is more elegant and fun than the simple garments we see at Plimoth Plantation, we love the era nonetheless, and have furnished our house entirely with period antiques of the 1600's.

Take a tour of our 18thc. house HERE~

This is a photo of the dated, American 1678 chest in our dining room. We subscribe to the 'less is more' theory of decorating with antiques, and the overly-cluttered 'cliche country look' we see so much of holds no appeal for us. I would rather have several simple, well-chosen and functional 17thc. antiques with a story to tell, than a houseful of 'cute-sy' or overdone-country decor, or rooms filled to bursting with every 'in' country antique known to collectors----but that is another post!

An interpreter at Plimoth Plantation. My new shift and doublet are like these~

I have been making-do with an 18thc. shift, and a wool shortgown for most of our 17thc. events. I had a falling band collar with dogtooth lace, and that helped my outfit to look a little more correct, but now I am getting a proper 17thc. style shift and doublet, at long last.  I already have the stays, the caps, (including one phenomenal hand-embroidered coif done at Plimoth plantation years ago, and on display there for a long time, before I was able to get it), and one authentic linsey-woolsey petticoat with a hand embroidered crewel border. I also have a lightweight plain wool petticoat that I made several years ago.
I designed the new shift with long sleeves, and a 2 1/2 inch neck ruffle, after researching many images from Plimoth Plantation.
I am in the process of choosing some wool for the doublet, which is also long sleeved, has a U shape neckline showing the upper shift and neck ruffle, and closes all down the front with many tiny period-correct buttons.

Adam at our front door. You can tour our period home HERE~

Taking a break during the filming of a movie we are in about King Philip's War in 17thc. New England~

Here we are at the 1660 Jackson House in Portsmouth NH. We were asked to be there for the day to talk with tourists who came for the special fall festival~

Adam, in perfect 17thc. dress and 'look'!

Reenactors do not get paid---we are volunteers. Our clothing and equipment is costly, and Adam and I acquire our things one at a time over years, like most other reenactors do.
Right now, I am agonizing over 3 colors of the wool for the jacket, trying to decide which would be best, and make me happiest. I'll make that decision this week.  A doublet is very fitted, and is worn over the shift and stays. While I do not have the sewing skills to make my gowns or jackets,  I am making myself another 17thc. petticoat out of a jacquard, similar to one they have at Plimoth.

UPDATE~See some of my NEW 17thc. clothing in this post~

And HERE~

This photo and the one below are of me at our own house~See more of our new 17thc. garments in the links above~

Here we are with a friend (center), eating a period lunch we brought on the lawn of the 17thc. Whipple House in Ipswich Mass. We were asked to be there to speak with the tourists on '17th century Saturday'~ All of the furniture is our own, and all are authentic 17thc. pieces. You can see more of our day HERE~

PURCHASE PERIOD STYLE CLOTHING, WIGS, AND ALL MANNER OF  ACCESSORIES IN OUR NEW ONLINE  SUTLERY ON OUR WEBSITE~

Here is one of my most treasured items of 17thc. reenactment clothing. This is a hand embroidered coif---the term for a cap in the 16th and 17th centuries. This one was done by someone at Plimoth Plantation, and it took her a couple of years. It was on display there for years in a case. I am honored that they agreed to sell it to me, because they felt I would appreciate it more than anyone! It is an exact copy of an extant period coif, and I do proudly wear it for certain 17thc. events.

We have a paid 'Dinner with the Pilgrims' in our home. This is the menu we had one year. You can read more about it and see some photos HERE~