Lined Jacket or Caraco c. 1770-85

The original jacket or caraco that this pattern is based upon was purchased from a Connecticut estate by Cora Ginsburg. More than likely the jacket was worn by a family member in that region. The fabric is European. Linda Baumgarten of Colonial Williamsburg has dated to circa 1730's. It is entirely possible that the jacket started out its life as a man's garment either as a coat or a sleeved westcoat. Ms. Baumgarten also suggested that this jacket was remade circa 1770's and later mended (reinforced) circa 1780. If the jacket was indeed worn in Connecticut, the mends could reflect the lack of available imported fabric.

It also has been suggested that if fabric were scarce, the man's coat might have been updated for men's wear but for the fact that during the 1770's a patriot might have balked at wearing European silks or brocades. It was not as offensive for his wife or daughter still to wear European made fabrics. Perhaps in the spirit of re-use and necessity that this jacket was made and worn!