The Farmer

The farmer, whether a tenant or an owner farming his own land, normally lived in a house situated on the land that he farmed.

During the 19th century the most common clothing worn by farmers included stockings, breeches, wide-cut shirt, waistcoat, jacket and hat.

By about 1840, working men were wearing full length trousers. Collarless shirts and waistcoats remained, though the wearing of coloured handkerchiefs tied round the neck became more common. Nearly all men wore hats, the designs of which altered frequently. Smocks were not worn by every countryman, and the smocks of those that did would vary in material, colour and in length. The embroidered patterns on the breast were added to the smock designs during the 19th century.