How Do We Know?

About

Boys in the mid-18th century dressed like older male family members in "knee breeches" and "waistcoats" (vests). Their shirts were long, down to their knees, and doubled as pajamas. Other than stockings (long socks that covered their knees) colonial children had no underwear. When it was cold boys wore coats or "frock coats" that looked like waistcoats with sleeves. They might also wear hats, the most common being a "tricorn" (three-cornered hat.)