The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-17
.VIR GINA HISTORY AS
MARKED BY DRESS.
Interesting Changes in Styles that Followed Each Other in the
Period From the Year 1907 to
Sf5 the Year 64O E4a4

When John Sinitl, wrote his delightful
history of thc virginia settlement, In tho
year 1908, Ito said: 1--WE had fur too
many gentlemen adventurers amongst |
us. Out OF ono hundred colonists there
were ilfty-two gentlemen, besides Muster
Robert Hunt, the Preacher, and Minister'S
Thomas Walton and William wilkinson,
the Chirugcons."
The London Company advised each
emgrant to take with him to Virginia |
"a Monmouth cap, three shirts, ono
suit OF canvns, ono pair OF garters, three !.
falling bands, ono waistcoat, one suit OF
frieze, one suit OF brondcoth, three
pairs OF silk stockings and ono dozen
pairs OF points"
Prevailing Style.
The prevailing style Of English dress
In tho year 1907 required that n gen
tlenan should wear n brocade doubet,
Il lncc-trimmed ruff and pointed beard.
A strange fashion Of the court of King
James, of padding and stunlng the
brecchcs, which made them 20 by tho
name OF farthinGale brecches. was doubt
less adopted In modified form by the
Virginia colonists. as the padding was
considered Il protection against arrows
and rapicrs a portrait of Sir Edwin
Sandys. president OF the Virginia Com
pany, Is good example OF the dress
Just described. and original prints fur
nlsl tho Clue rs TO what John Smith
wore when he was getting his fill OF
adventure rs the leader of the James
town colony.
In the portraits OF tho Earl and
Countess Of somerset-many times re-
produced--may be seen tho costumes
worn by the English nobility at this
period. There were no radical changes
In fashions from 1850, the middle OF
Queen Elzabeth's reign, to the time
when Charles l. assembled tho English
throne. in 1925. The changes, II any,
ut Jamestown may have been duo to
the tailor, or to his necessity OF making
the best use Of materials in hand.
First Virginia Women.
The first women to como to Virginia
were Mrs. Thomas Forrest and her maid,
Anne Burras, who soon after married
John Laydon and became the first bride
on American soil Mrs. Forrest. whip
doubtless. like other women. was fond
of being modish, probably wore gown
Of prunella opening over q brocaded
pettlcoat. a stiffened lace run and q
white linen Golf. shaped over the ruff
in the back. A modified farthingale
supported her dress. which hung to the
ground In heavy plalts. The trimming
on her bodice was Of silk gallocn, the
design being outlined with gold thread
Mr. Thomas Forrest, who was gem
tlcman Of the period Of James l.. when
correctly attired had on doublet and
padded brooches OF colored velvet or
cloth, fastened together in points, with
long oversleeves hanging from his Shout
ders, and stin collar band OF starched
lien. His silk stockings were fastened
with gartcrs tod In bow at one side,
and his felt hat was ornamented with
an embroidered band and short plume
OF feathers.
Fashions in 1926.
BY the year 1925. in Virginia, the
thoughts of people Of quality began to be
very busy with fashions. Charles I.
then rcigncd In England. and the Vir-
GINA House OF Burgesses held is ses-
sionB in tho church at jamestown. The
representatives came In barges from
their river plantations, and were usually
accompanied by their wives and daugh-
tors, who took this opportunity Of show
Ing off their fine apparel, In which tho
London fashions, that seem to have been
not only the chief amusement OF the
women. but matter OF great moment to
both sexes were strictly followed.
Virginia gentlcwoman then wore a
long soft skirt, with low-cut bodice,
finished with square tabs about the
waist; full sleeves, little below the
elbow. with soft ruffles OF rich lace; q
wide collar OF tho same lace, worn over
the shoulders, but leaving the throat
and neck exposed. Soft breast-knots OF