GRWM 18th century Cape Town as a Free Black Woman #shorts #historicalcostuming #18thcenturyfashion

What would a Black woman in 18th century Cape Town have worn? I’ve spent the past couple of months researching the small group of Free Black in the Dutch Cape Colony—who, in 1765, were subject to sumptuary laws by the settler authorities. You’ll probably guess there isn’t a wealth of information, textual or visual, on the actual lives of these women but learning that they were legally prohibited from certain fineries such as fine lace, panniers, coloured silks, earrings with fake or real gemstones, and more at least offers a picture of what their lives may have been like. It at least reveals a set of fashion forward women who clearly dressed themselves so well that it threatened the hierarchy at the Cape. In fact, there is actually a quote from the time that the authorities felt these women were placing themselves on the same level or above the burgher elite, and that their appearance was “vexing” to the public. There are more videos on my page about the construction of these garments and my hairstyling inspiration but I’d love to chat more in the comments :)