Revolution of Fashion Exhibit 

The “The Revolution of Fashion” exhibit explores how clothing and textiles in the American colonies transformed in response to the political, economic, and social upheavals of the American Revolution. It shows how fashion was not just about style: it was deeply political. Visitors learn how British taxes on imported goods in the 1760s pushed colonists to adopt non-importation agreements and boycotts, which in turn made items like silk and lace symbols of British luxury and oppression. In contrast, homespun cloth (fabric made domestically from wool or flax) became a powerful symbol of patriotism and resistance. The exhibit explains the cultural significance of spinning bees, where women gathered to produce cloth and assert political solidarity, and how everyday garments reflected Americans’ desire for independence. The display also traces changes after independence in the 1780s and 1790s, when trade disruptions with Britain and growing ties with France influenced available materials and styles. You’ll see examples and descriptions of homespun clothing, period fashion plates, and garments in the Archives’ collection that illustrate the shift from British styles to more simplified republican dress, reflecting unity and emerging American identity. The exhibit even connects dress to iconic fashion decisions, such as George Washington’s choice of a homespun suit for his first inauguration that demonstrate how fashion choices expressed political ideals and cultural values both during and after the Revolution.