ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

1795–1820 in Western fashion

Okay kiddo, let's talk about the clothes people wore in the late 1700s and early 1800s! During this time, there were a lot of changes happening in fashion.

At the beginning of this period, ladies wore very fancy and elaborate dresses with big skirts and lots of ruffles and bows. Men wore suits with big coats and tight pants. But as time went on, people started to want more simple and comfortable clothes.

One big change was the introduction of a style called "Empire" or "Regency." This meant that ladies wore high-waisted dresses that were more straight and simple compared to the big, puffy dresses of earlier years. These dresses also had shorter sleeves and lower necklines.

For men, the big coats and tight pants slowly went out of style. Instead, they started wearing simpler jackets with looser pants. These pants were often made from a fabric called "twill," which was sturdy and durable.

One thing that didn't change much during this time was the importance of accessories. Ladies still wore lots of jewelry, like necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. They also often wore hats or bonnets to cover their heads.

So, in summary, during the late 1700s and early 1800s, people started wearing simpler and more comfortable clothes. Ladies wore high-waisted, straight dresses that were less fancy than before, while men wore simpler jackets and looser pants. Accessories were still popular, and included jewelry and hats.