First off, lemme just say, finding *good* stuff can be a pain in the butt. There’s a lot of, uh, “costume-y” stuff out there that looks like it was made for a school play – shiny polyester and weird fits. You want something that *feels* right, something that looks like it could actually survive a day of, like, churning butter or whatever folks did back then.
Townsends, I’ve heard, is a good place to start. They seem to have a pretty wide selection, and supposedly they focus on quality. But, I mean, always read the reviews, ya know? ‘Cause pictures can be deceiving. Plus, sometimes those “handmade” things can be kinda… rough around the edges. Which, honestly, maybe is accurate for the period? Who knows! I wasn’t there. I mean, I *wish* I was, sometimes. No internet drama back then, just good ol’ fashioned arguments about the price of turnips.
Crazy Crow, they’re more for the muzzleloader era, so closer to the 1800s. So, if you’re going for REALLY accurate 1700s, they might not be the best bet. But, hey, if you’re just going for a general “old-timey” vibe, they could work.
Then there’s this Samson Historical place. They call themselves an 18th century sutler. Sutler? I always have to google that. Basically means they sell stuff to soldiers, right? But they also have civilian stuff, apparently. Reenactors swear by these places, so it might be a good source. But sometimes, I think reenactors get TOO into it, ya know? Like, are we really trying to *live* like it’s the 1700s? I just wanna look the part for a party, maybe. Or, like, to freak out my neighbors a little.
And then there’s the whole “authentic” thing. Like, how authentic do you REALLY need to be? Are you gonna dye your own fabric with berries and hand-stitch everything? ‘Cause if so, more power to ya! But I’m just gonna buy something that looks the part and feels okay. I mean, who’s gonna know the difference, really? Unless you’re hanging out with a bunch of historical sewing nerds, and then… good luck.
One thing I saw mentioned somewhere, Regimental Quartermaster, sounds like you need to be careful. Like, they’re a “mainstream sutler.” I dunno what that means. Seems like they are saying they might be a bit generic.
Honestly, the best advice I can give you is to do your research. Look at paintings from the period. (Google is your friend!) See what people *actually* wore. And don’t be afraid to mix and match. Maybe find a good tailor who can tweak things to fit you properly. ‘Cause nothing ruins a good 1700s outfit like a bad fit. Trust me, I’ve seen it. It’s not pretty.