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Sumptuary Regulations in New England -- 1651
(Puritan regulations regarding wearing apparel were normally conceived as a defense against "irreligious" and "immoral" ostentation, but sensitivity to social standing and rank was sometimes equally apparent as a motive. Some of the wealthier colonists, seeking to emulate the English aristocracy in the manner of their dress, were greatly offended when their poorer neighbors copied the same fashions. In order that the social classes might be more clearly distinguished, a law-- supported mainly by the rich --was passed in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1651 that specifically forbade the poor to adopt "excessive dress.")
Although several declarations and orders have been made by this Court against excess in apparel, both of men and women, which have not taken that effect as were to be desired, but on the contrary, we cannot but to our grief take notice that intolerable excess and bravery have crept in upon us, and especially among people of mean condition, to the dishonor of God, the scandal of our profession, the consumption of estates, and altogether unsuitable to our poverty. And, although we acknowledge it to be a matter of much difficulty, in regard of the blindness of men's minds and the stubbornness of their wills, to set down exact rules to confine all sorts of persons, yet we cannot but account it our duty to commend unto all sorts of persons the sober and moderate use of those blessings which, beyond expectation, the Lord has been pleased to afford unto us in this wilderness. And also to declare our utter detestation and dislike that men and women of mean condition should take upon them the garb of gentlemen by wearing gold or silver lace, or buttons, or points at their knees, or to walk in great boots; or women of the same rank to wear silk or tiffany hoods, or scarves, which, though allowable to persons of greater estates or more liberal education, yet we cannot but judge it intolerable.
It is therefore ordered by this Court, and the authority thereof, the no person within this jurisdiction, nor any of their relations depending upon them, whose visible estates, real and personal, shall not exceed the true and indifferent value of L200, shall wear any gold or silver lace, or gold and silver buttons, or any bone lace above 2s. per yard, or silk hoods, or scarves, upon the penalty of 10s. for every such offense and every such delinquent to be presented by the grand jury. And forasmuch as distinct and particular rules in this case suitable to the estate or quality of each person cannot easily be given: It is further ordered by the authority aforesaid, that the selectmen of every town, or the major part of them, are hereby enabled and required, from time to time, to have regard and take notice of apparel of any of the inhabitants of their several towns respectively; and whosoever they shall judge to exceed their ranks and abilities in the costliness or fashion of their apparel in any respect, especially in the wearing of ribbons or great boots (leather being so scarce a commodity in this country), lace points, etc., silk hoods, or scarves, the selectmen aforesaid shall have power to assess such persons, so offending in any of the particulars above mentioned, in the country rates, at L200 estates, according to that proportion that such men use to pay to whom such apparel is suitable and allowed; provided this law shall not extend to the restraint of any magistrate or public officer of this jurisdiction, their wives and children, who are left to their discretion in wearing of apparel, or any settled military officer or soldier in the time of military service, or any other whose education and employment have been above the ordinary degree, or whose estate have been considerable, though now decayed.