Chapter Iv--Colonial Woman and Dress

I. Dress Regulation by Law--Magistrate vs. Women--Fines.

II. Contemporary Descriptions of Dress--Effect of Wealth and Travel--Madame Knight's Descriptions--Testimony by Sewall, Franklin, Abigail Adams.

III. Raillery and Scolding--Nathaniel Ward on Woman's Costume--Newspaper Comments--Advertisement of Hoop Petticoats--Evidence on the Size of Hoops--Hair-Dressing--Feminine Replies to Raillery.

IV. Extravagance in Dress--Chastellux's Opinion--Evidence from Account Books--Children's Dress--Fashions in Philadelphia and New York--A Gentleman's Dress--Dolly Madison's Costume--The Meschianza--A Ball Dress--Dolls as Models--Men's Jokes on Dress--Increase in Cost of Raiment.