ATTIRE OF VIRGINIA DAMES AND THEIR NEIGHBORS
“Two things I love, two usuall thinges they are:
The Firste, New-fashioned cloaths I love to wear,
Newe Tires, newe Ruffes; aye, and newe Gestures too
In all newe Fashions I do love to goe.
The Second Thing I love is this, I weene
To ride aboute to have those Newe Cloaths scene.
“At every Gossipping I am at still
And ever wilbe—maye I have my will.
For at ones own Home, praie—who is’t can see
How fyne in new-found fashioned Tyres we bee?
Vnless our Husbands—Faith! but very fewe!—
And whoo’d goe gaie, to please a Husband’s view?
Alas! wee wives doe take but small Delight
If none (besides our husbands) see that Sight”
—“The Gossipping Wives Complaint,” 1611 (circa).