Time for a little English Civil War myth-busting: the image of the 17th Century 'Puritan' is one of humourless killjoys dressed in sombre black clothes - but, like most popular perceptions of the period, this is a result of contemporary prejudices and Victorian stereotypes. Black clothes were the height of fashion at the time and would have been exceedingly expensive; black was not a cheap dye and so most people would only be able to afford very dark blue or brown. Black cloth tended to be reserved for people in positions of authority who could afford them - the gentry, lawyers, bankers, and some politicians. Puritans (even the term suggests a homogeneous group, rather than the spectrum of opinions and social groups it was used against) did not dress differently to the rest of society and were as likely to be found in silk doublets and brightly-dyed wool as anyone else. Even the arch 'Puritan', Oliver Cromwell, rarely if ever wore black. If you had black clothes at all, they were likely for 'best' and so would be the clothes you'd wear to have your portrait painted! . However, no gentleman would be dressed without a collar, also known as a 'falling band' - a starched linen collar, usually separate to his shirt, which would protect his doublet's shoulders from dirt and hair oil. These could get quite elaborate, with layers of increasingly fine linen and maybe lace edging too. Again, remember that a fancy collar was no sign that the wearer was an anti-Puritan libertine! . #clothes #clothing #reenactmentclothing #black #wool #doublet #linen #photoreenactment #reenactment #reenactors #reenacting #reenactorstyle #reenactorslife #reenactorsofinstagram #reenactmentphotography #livinghistory #history #photohistory #historicalreenactment #17thcentury #sealedknot #dailyphoto #photoaday #photooftheday #photoadaychallenge #englishcivilwar #instadaily https://www.instagram.com/p/B-YEDv7HDCe/?igshid=9fqqalar8vow