Explain the reasons for the changes in clothing patterns and materials in the eighteenth century.

The reasons for the changes in clothing pattern and materials year as follows:
(i) The spread of democratic ideals: Before French Revolution in France. Sumptuary laws regulated the wearing of clothes in French society. for example, only royalty could wear expensive materials like ermine and fur. The French Revolution ended these distinction. Now both men and women began wearing loose and confrontable clothes. The colours of France blue, white and red – – became popular as they were_ sign of the patriotic citizens. The simplicity of clothing expressed the idea of equality. In England, too with the development of suffrage movement, there was campaign for dress reform.
(ii) colonisation of most of the world by Europe: colonisation also brought changes in clothing pattern and materials. For example, when Indian came under British control, many people adopted some elements of western-style clothing in their dress.
(iii) The growth of an industrial society : As a result of Industrial revolution, Britain began the mass manufacture of cotton textiles. It was exported to many parts of the world including India. Cotton clothes became more accessible to a wider section of people in Europe too. This brought changes in the clothing patterns and materials of the clothes as people could use style and materials drawn from other cultures and countries.