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Show Colonists Placed Ban on Sumptuous Dress Nowadays one ol the most proml . nent features In Ihe attire of the fair sex Is Ihe use of silks and satins. However, such was not the case with the women In Ihe early days ol Hie colony of Massachusetts. Thelt modi of dresi was not governed by rheli own discretion and i ihlgets. Italhei lb authorities took ii upon themselves t dictate Jui what should he worn not on,ly !y Mic women bui also dial the men folks should dress in accordance with the Judgment of those handling the affairs of ihe ?oinniunUy at thai lime. As early as ICM, the general couri was enacting legislation whUb provided that if a man was not worth 20b pounds, he was not eligible to weai gold lace or sliver lace, button or points at Ihe knees They were noi permilied fo wear hoots n(ng to ihe scnrcliy ol leather then. As for the women, il their property was not valued to tht extent ol ilOU , I pounds, rbel't alllre was not to incliidi j !lk. lUTany hoods or scarfs Thus. It ! was possible, by dancing at the dres of . neighbors to lell approximately how much of mis world s goods they possessed The distinction of dress I was an accepted distinction both ol sur'lal rank and of occupation |