Thanks, Jessamyn, and...
Posted by Carolyn B on February 01, 1998 at 11:12:28:
In response to Riding Habits, written by Jessamyn on January 30, 1998 at 23:45:28
] You're right, it's very early 1700s at the latest. What a peculiar garment! I think it must have been something fairly regional.
Must be those wacky colonials : )
I was re-watching "A Midwife's Tale" (taped off PBS's American Experience series and highly recommended if you have not seen it - covers 1790s-1800s) and saw that the actress portraying Martha Ballard appears to be sitting in a side-saddle position rather than astride (hard to tell because she has on along cloak and is seen through trees), but I doubt very much that she could have afforded a side-saddle or a riding habit. (I would love to know what historical/directorial discussion lies behind shooting that one little bit of film) But certainly women on the Maine frontier would have coped with whatever transportation they had to resort to while the gentlewomen (in England & US) would not have dreamed of riding out in the wrong attire!
Thanks again for your info!
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