- Poor men in the 1800s usually wore work shirts or dress shirts.
- Work shirts were typically made of sturdy materials such as cotton, linen, or wool, while dress shirts were made of finer materials such as silk or cotton poplin.
- Work shirts often had features such as patch pockets, buttoned collars, and buttoned cuffs, while dress shirts were typically more tailored and had features such as pleated fronts and French cuffs.
Pants
- Poor men typically wore wool trousers or cotton overalls.
- Wool trousers were usually straight-legged and had buttons or suspenders to hold them up, while cotton overalls were one-piece garments that covered the wearer's torso and legs.
- Overalls were often worn by farmers, laborers, and other working-class men because they were durable and easy to move around in.
Coats
- Poor men in the 1800s often wore coats to keep warm in the colder months.
- Coats were typically made of wool, leather, or canvas and had features such as collars, lapels, and buttons or zippers.
- Some poor men also wore cloaks, which were loose-fitting outer garments that were often made of wool or felt.
Hats
- Poor men in the 1800s often wore hats to protect their heads from the sun, rain, and cold.
- Some common types of hats worn by poor men included top hats, bowler hats, and caps.
- Top hats were tall, cylindrical hats that were made of beaver fur and were often worn by wealthier men, but some poor men also wore top hats for formal occasions.
- Bowler hats were round, low-crowned hats that were made of felt and were popular with working-class men.
- Caps were brimless hats that were often made of wool or cotton and were worn by men of all social classes.
Shoes
- Poor men in the 1800s usually wore boots or shoes made of leather.
- Boots were typically knee-high and had laces or buttons to fasten them, while shoes were ankle-high and had laces or buckles.
- Poor men often wore second-hand shoes or shoes that were repaired and cobbled together from salvaged materials.