Talking About the Tailor

The Tailor's shop became an important part of most Early American towns. Many women could make their own clothing, but not the men. A tailor would make men's clothes, especially for the single men and wealthy. In the larger towns, tailors only made suits, coats, breeches, etc. A seamstress would make the shirts. In smaller places, however, the tailor might make it all. He didn't normally make women's clothing, however, although some online sites say they did.

One advantage to ordering from a tailor was you could have the items custom designed and made to your specifications. You were also measured, and the clothes made to fit your frame. In addition, a tailor usually kept abreast of the London styles.

A man often learned the tailor's trade from his father or as an apprentice. Apprenticeships usually lasted for seven years, while the young person learned the trade. The last name, Taylor, originally came from a person involved in this trade.

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