The Quakers and the Puritans believed that everything should be plain. Back in England, women's clothing at the time was very fancy, with gowns made out of velvets and satins, decorated with lace and frills and buttons and bows. Men's clothing was also fancy with buckles and buttons and even fans. These early colonists wanted nothing to do with fancy and frill because it reminded me of the very rules and customs and beliefs they had left England to escape. There was another reason for simple clothing. Except for the very rich, for the most part, people made their own clothes so clothes had to be simple, warm, and sturdy.Men's Clothing: Men's clothing was made from wool, leather, and linen. The men wore loose linen shirts. Their pants reached only to the knee. Their socks were long and woolen. They wore a sleeveless jacket. (Sometimes they wore a padded jacket with sleeves, especially in colder weather.) They wore plain leather shoes, wide brimmed hats, and coats or capes for protection from cold or rain. Shirts were white. The rest of their clothes were typically brown or black.Women's Clothing: As women dressed, first they put on a long loose dress. Sometimes the sleeves were removable and tied on. Over that, they wore a long gown made of wool or linen. Over that they wore a plain apron. All their clothes were held in place by tying them. Their hair was pulled up and tucked under a coif (a fabric hat or top piece). They wore long woolen socks. Their shoes were made of sturdy leather. They also wore capes or coats to protect them from the elements.