The riding-habit, first introduced in 1664 caused considerable
notice, and no small amount of mirth. The garb, as it was
called, consisted of a doublet buttoned up the breast, a coat
with long skirts, a periwig and tall hat, so that women clad in
this fashion might be mistaken for men, if it were not for the
petticoat which dragged under the coat. At the commencement of
the reign, ladies of the court wore their hair after the French
fashion, cut short in front and frizzed upon the forehead. When
the queen arrived, her hair was arranged A LA NEGLIGENCE, a mode
declared mighty pretty; but presently a fashion came in vogue of
wearing "false locks set on wyres to make them stand at a
distance from the head; as fardingales made the clothes stand out
in Queen Elizabeth's reign." Painting the face, which had been
practised during the Commonwealth, became fashionable; as did
likewise the use of patches and vizards or masks; which from the
convenience they afforded wearers whilst witnessing an immoral
play, or conducting a delicate intrigue, came greatly into use.
According to Randal Holmes's notes on dress, in the Harleian
Library, the male costume at the restoration consisted of "a
short-waisted doublet, and petticoat breeches--the lining, being
lower than the breeches, is tied above the knees. The breeches
are ornamented with ribands up to the pocket, and half their
breadth upon the thigh; the waistband is set about with ribands,
and the shirt hanging out over them.
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