Approximately how long would it take a middle-class woman to get ready (from waking to stepping out in public) in 1750? How long would it take a middle-class man?

by reallyme123
colevintage

So, for women it can take as little as ten minutes up to an inordinate amount of time depending on how fussy they are (I have managed this in ten minutes numerous times). The dressing process for a woman would start with changing her shift, putting on stockings and tying them up with garters, putting on and buckling shoes, tying the under petticoat on, lacing up stays, tying on pockets, regular petticoat, kerchief, stomacher is pinned to the stays, gown is pinned over stomacher, possibly an apron, and cap or hair styled. For going outside a hat and possibly a cloak would be involved. There can be many more layers than that in cold weather like mitts, quilted waistcoat, extra kerchiefs, etc.

For the gentlemen the length of time can be a little bit shorter, but there are quite a few buttons to deal with. Their shirt serves as the full undergarment, stockings (which will be held up by the breeches knee band), tuck the shirt between the legs and pull up the breeches (at least 13 buttons there), put on and buckle shoes, button the shirt neck and tie the cravat which is pinned to the shirt like a tie tack, put on the waistcoat and work another 10 or so buttons, the shirt sleeves are held in the hand as the coat is pulled on, shirt cuffs are then buttoned, the coat may or may not be closed. He may choose to wear a wig, style his own hair, or go with short hair in not formal circumstances. Going out will include a hat, possibly a great coat or cloak, etc. At work in a trade some things may be left off, a jacket may be used instead of a coat, a work cap added to keep the hair clean, or many other small adjustments.

cecikierk

Note that 1750's hairstyles were not nearly as complicated or elaborate as 1770's hairstyles (that we often associate with 1700's), particularly in England and the American colonies where even powder was seldom used. Here's a compliation (some of them are upper class women, but there weren't too much of a distinction. Most of them are English). Hair was usually pulled back with little to no height. In back, the hair was generally arranged in small curls, a twist or braid, or pulled up smoothly. The most elaborate hair of the 1750's was tĂȘte de mouton (sheep head) from France. It featured small curls arranged in rows across the front and top of the head and powdered. Here's an example.