Men's Basics

In the past, whether civilian or military, every man wore the same undergarments known as small cloths, which included:

Cotton or Linen Shirt: A man's underwear. Shirt sleeves started out wide and full and gradually narrowed through the century; the same may be true of shirt bodies. Shirt bodies ​were often left separate a small way up the side and the back panel was frequently somewhat longer; this made it possible to pull the shirt tail through the legs for extra warmth, ​protection from chafing, or whatever. Shirt cuffs and collars were generally narrow but widened toward the end of the century. Cuffs could fasten with a button and buttonhole, ​or with two buttonhole fastened with linked buttons. A single button fastened the collar..

White Breeches:The standard main lower body garment for men in the 18th century, with alternatives being petticoat breeches, primarily for sailors, and trousers, for lower class ​men but spreading to other groups toward the end of the century. Breeches were typically made of woven fabric, with leather (esp. for hunting) and (rarely) knit fabric as ​alternatives. Fitted clothing generally became tighter as the century progressed, with skin-tight legs being the fashion for breeches for most of the century. To allow the wearer ​to sit or bend over, breeches were cut loose in the seat; this unsightly bagginess was generally covered by the coat and only revealed by those laboring so hard that they ​removed their coat, or by men dressed in very lower class garments such as jackets

White Hose: Stockings of the 18th century were worn by men and women, and were most often knit. The knitting frame (machine) was developed in the late 16th century and ​many improvementsduring the 18th century increasingly forced hand knitters from their business. Fashionable stockings of silk or cotton were generally white, and at times were ​decorated with knit or embroidered patterns at the ankle, referred to as "clocks" or "clocking." More utilitarian stockings of linen, and particularly worsted wool, were seen in ​colors, with blue and gray predominating. Occasionally, coarse stockings for the low laboring sort and slaves were cut of woolen or linen cloth and sewn to fit the shape of the leg.

Leather Garters: A band of leather, fabric tape, knitting, or possibly other forms that holds up your stockings

Each man wore standard issue small clothes provided by the military, and they would also receive specialized attire based on ​the company they belonged to.

Light Company Soldier

QR Light infantry Helmet: The Rangers adopted a light infantry cap of the regimental pattern for all companies except the grenadier and highland companies. The regimental light ​infantry cap had a high front, like a low mitre-shaped grenadier cap, of plain black with a crescent device.

Black Neck Stock: A long length of Black Linen, or silk tied around your neck like a tie

Ranger Green Newmarket Coat (QR Regimental pattern, buttons etc.) : Simcoe obtained sleeved green waistcoats with green cuffs and fall-down collar, to be worn as an outer ​garment during favourable weather. This was worn with white knee breeches and calf-length gaiters or with white gaiter-trousers. A long green coat of standard British Army pattern ​was worn over the waistcoat as an outer garment in colder weather.

Brown Bess Musket: The Brown Bess was used not only in the line infantry, but also light infantry, as well as Rogers' Rangers, hunters, skirmishers, Indians and many other irregular ​troops who used non-standard tactics.

Rawles Cartridge Box: This cartridge box contains 36 holes but is a much smaller sized box because the 36 holes are arranged with 18 each in the top and bottom of the wooden ​block. A flap and strap cover the lower 18 cartridges; when the first 18 are gone, a pull of the upper end of the strap lifts out the block so it can be reversed in the pouch. The box is ​made of heavy saddle leather construction.

Bayonet: Socketed onto the end of the muzzle to turn a musket into a makeshift spear, or perhaps more accurately a stout wooden club with a steel spike at its end. The triangular ​shape of the bayonet blade is a rather devious design which not only stiffens the spike, but also leaves grievous puncture wounds which are very difficult to treat, much less heal.

Camp Axe: 18th century camp axe used for felling branches and work around camp was a vital tool for pioneers and explorers of the time. Its sturdy, well-balanced design allowed for ​precise chopping and splitting, making it indispensable for building shelters, preparing firewood, and crafting tools. The axe's head, typically forged from high-quality iron or steel, ​was meticulously sharpened to ensure efficiency, while the wooden handle, often made from hickory or oak, provided a comfortable and reliable grip.

Haversack: Carrying essential supplies for soldiers during campaigns and battles. These sturdy bags often contained rations, personal items, ammunition, and sometimes even small ​cooking utensils. Made from durable materials like canvas or linen, the haversack was designed to withstand the rigors of military life. Soldiers would sling them over their shoulders, ​ensuring that they had quick access to their necessities while on the move. The haversack was an indispensable piece of equipment, reflecting the practical needs and ​resourcefulness of 18th-century armies.

Canteen: To hold your water during long battles or treks, 18th century canteens were made of tin, or wood and would be attached with a hemp rope over your shoulder and across ​your chest

Gaiters: Made of wool they go over your shoes and sock up to your knee to provide protection from sticks, rocks, etc. while going through woodland.

Highland Soldier

Diced Feather Bonnet: knitted blue bonnet with a chequered border. This was propped up and worn with a tall hackle. During the 17th and 18th century, the highlanders who wore this hat ​began to add ostrich feathers to decorate it.

Black Neck Stock: A long length of Black Linen, or silk tied around your neck like a tie

Ranger Green Newmarket Coat (QR Regimental pattern, buttons etc.) : Simcoe obtained sleeved green waistcoats with green cuffs and fall-down collar, to be worn as an outer garment ​during favourable weather. This was worn with white knee breeches and calf-length gaiters or with white gaiter-trousers. A long green coat of standard British Army pattern was worn over ​the waistcoat as an outer garment in colder weather.

Black Watch Kilt: The kilt first appeared as the belted plaid or great kilt, a full-length garment whose upper half could be worn as a cloak draped over the shoulder, or brought up over the head ​as a hood. The small kilt or walking kilt (similar to the modern or military kilt) did not develop until the late 17th or early 18th century, and is essentially the bottom half of the great kilt.

Diced Hose: Hose made with Red & White tartan fabric, cut out & sewn to the shape of the leg.

Brown Bess Musket: The Brown Bess was used not only in the line infantry, but also light infantry, as well as Rogers' Rangers, hunters, skirmishers, Indians and many other irregular troops who ​used non-standard tactics.

Belly Box: Black cartridge box worn on a separate 1" belt with Japanned buckle and carried in front of the body. Contains a curved wooden block with a leather flap and strap loops on the front

Bayonet: Socketed onto the end of the muzzle to turn a musket into a makeshift spear, or perhaps more accurately a stout wooden club with a steel spike at its end. The triangular shape of the ​bayonet blade is a rather devious design which not only stiffens the spike, but also leaves grievous puncture wounds which are very difficult to treat, much less heal.

Basket Hilt Broadsword (Belting & Scabbard) : The basket-hilted sword was generally in use as a military sword. A true broadsword possesses a double-edged blade, while similar wide-bladed ​swords with a single sharpened edge and a thickened back are called backswords. Various forms of basket-hilt were mounted on both broadsword and backsword blades.

Haversack: Carrying essential supplies for soldiers during campaigns and battles. These sturdy bags often contained rations, personal items, ammunition, and sometimes even small cooking ​utensils. Made from durable materials like canvas or linen, the haversack was designed to withstand the rigors of military life. Soldiers would sling them over their shoulders, ensuring that they ​had quick access to their necessities while on the move. The haversack was an indispensable piece of equipment, reflecting the practical needs and resourcefulness of 18th-century armies.

Canteen: To hold your water during long battles or treks, 18th century canteens were made of tin, or wood and would be attached with a hemp rope over your shoulder and across your chest

Gaiters: Made of blackened canvas they are fitted and go over your shoes and hoes to protect you from getting stones or other thing in your shoes.

Men's Basics

In the past, whether civilian or military, every man wore the same undergarments known as small cloths, which included:

Cotton or Linen Shirt: A man's underwear. Shirt sleeves started out wide and full and gradually narrowed through the century; the same may be true of shirt bodies. Shirt bodies were often ​left separate a small way up the side and the back panel was frequently somewhat longer; this made it possible to pull the shirt tail through the legs for extra warmth, protection from ​chafing, or whatever. Shirt cuffs and collars were generally narrow but widened toward the end of the century. Cuffs could fasten with a button and buttonhole, or with two buttonhole ​fastened with linked buttons. A single button fastened the collar..

White Breeches: The standard main lower body garment for men in the 18th century, with alternatives being petticoat breeches, primarily for sailors, and trousers, for lower class men but ​spreading to other groups toward the end of the century. Breeches were typically made of woven fabric, with leather (esp. for hunting) and (rarely) knit fabric as alternatives. Fitted clothing ​generally became tighter as the century progressed, with skin-tight legs being the fashion for breeches for most of the century. To allow the wearer to sit or bend over, breeches were cut ​loose in the seat; this unsightly bagginess was generally covered by the coat and only revealed by those laboring so hard that they removed their coat, or by men dressed in very lower class ​garments such as jackets

White Hose: Stockings of the 18th century were worn by men and women, and were most often knit. The knitting frame (machine) was developed in the late 16th century and many ​improvements during the 18th century increasingly forced hand knitters from their business. Fashionable stockings of silk or cotton were generally white, and at times were decorated with ​knit or embroidered patterns at the ankle, referred to as "clocks" or "clocking." More utilitarian stockings of linen, and particularly worsted wool, were seen in colors, with blue and gray ​predominating. Occasionally, coarse stockings for the low laboring sort and slaves were cut of woolen or linen cloth and sewn to fit the shape of the leg.

Leather Garters: A band of leather, fabric tape, knitting, or possibly other forms that holds up your stockings

Men’s civilian fashion of this time period consisted of five main pieces of clothing: shirt, waistcoat, breeches, coat, and hat. The shirt was the base and served as the undergarment. A ​waistcoat, commonly called a “jacket,” was almost always part of a man’s outfit. Knee breeches were the most common lower garment. A coat of some sort usually covered the waistcoat. ​To round out the wardrobe, there was the tricorn hat. This combination was typical for men of all levels of society and was common over all of Western Europe and North America. Militia ​soldiers quite often served in their standard civilian clothing, at times substituting a hunting frock for the coat. *