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It is believed that man began wearing clothing about
107,000 years ago. This was the time at which the head louse diverged genetically
from the body louse. Initially clothing would have
consisted of animal skins. Sewing needles have been found
that were used 40,000 years ago at a time when pelts would
have been sewn together. Weaving and spinning began
about 27,000 years ago. It is believed that originally woven
cloth was used for burial shrouds. Early woven cloth
clothing was made of full loom width and draped and pinned
into place. People went from "Love your pelt. Watch
for those body lice." to "Nice tunic, pinned on the
left next to your neck. Nifty touch." (in Latin of course). The
Chinese began making silk in the 27th Century BC. Silk
remained in China alone until the Silk Road opened up about
500BC.
Flax was woven into cloth beginning about 10,000 years ago. Sheep's wool was used
for textile production starting in 3,000 BC.
Tunics lasted a loooong time. Style was no style. People
bought their clothes from the tent and awning factory.
The Romans dressed in tunics and shawls primarily made of
wool. Linen, hemp, silk and cotton was also worn. In
Medieval times the dress gradually changed. People
began bleaching and dying fabric and embroidered borders on
tunics became common. Invading armies in Europe wore
trousers, belts and hosiery during this timeframe but
Europeans didn't really began to become fashionable until
the middle of the 14th century with the advent of
lacing, buttons, colorful cloths and tailored clothing.
In the 15th and 16th centuries wool was the most popular
fabric for all classes and was available in a wide range of
qualities and colors. Export of a dense, velvety broadcloth
became the backbone of the British economy during this
period. Elaborate collars, brocade and lace on black wool
cloth decorated the fashionable elite. Woven linen was used
for under garments. The lower classes and later the
Protestants of England (17th century) wore simpler, more
sober clothing.
The sewing machine was invented in 1790 but become
popular in the mid 19th Century following the
development of the lockstitch.
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