Fashion and Freedom – Women’s Dress in 1776

What did a woman’s clothing reveal about her life in 1776? 🇺🇸
Quite a lot, as it turns out.
Join us at The Dayton Woman’s Club for "Fashion and Freedom: Women’s Dress in 1776," a special America’s 250th program with fashion historian Leslie Arendt.
This isn’t just a talk about pretty dresses. Leslie will explore how technology, economics, politics, and changing social customs influenced what American women actually wore during the Revolutionary era.
Even better, you’ll get to see history up close. Leslie is bringing a mannequin display of historically accurate, hand-sewn clothing representing women of the lower, middling, and upper classes. See daywear, formal clothing, hats, caps, accessories, and even the undergarments that created those distinctive 18th-century silhouettes.
It’s a fascinating look at American history through something deeply personal: the clothes women wore every day. Come see 1776 from a completely different perspective.
📅 Thursday, September 24, 2026
📍 The Dayton Woman’s Club
🍽️ Seating/Optional Dinner at 5:15 pm
🎤 Presentation: 6:00–7:30 pm
🎟️ Advance registration required