The Fleece of Their Flock: Homespun & the American Identity

uation ceremonies. 5 Benjamin
Franklin, too, famously wore
homespun during his ambassadorial
visit to France, which
was a shocking contrast to the
French court’s fineries and
formalities.
Cotton & wool
homespun coat,
Virginia, 1780
Even political balls, which were
normally fashion-forward affairs,
became sites for sartorial
statements. 6 In 1770, nearly one
hundred Williamsburg women
sported homespun gowns
to one of these balls, and were
joined by gentlemen also clad
in locally made attire. This display was considered elegant
and sophisticated, and the attendees were praised for their
patriotic efforts. The actual creators of these “genteel” garments
are not described – perhaps the clothes were made
by local families and sold to the gentlemen of the House of
Burgesses and their wives. Alternatively, the women could
have made their own outfits for this special occasion; or
perhaps slaves were involved in the production. Although
the exact origin may be unclear, it is evident that the wearing
of domestically homespun goods – and by extension,
consuming American products – was in the “true and es-
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