We can’t tell a lie! Wearing a George Washington costume will make you feel like a founding father of the United States. This important figure in American history first served as the commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary War, drafted the United States Constitution, and was later elected by the people as the first president of the newly formed nation in 1789. George Washington is remembered as one of the greatest president of all time who successfully lead the colonies and their new nation through an era of great conflict and change. Instantly recognizably by American citizens, George Washington has become national symbols in his Washington costume, appearing in many formats including dollar bills to etched in stone on Mount Rushmore.
A George Washington costume is the perfect outfit for ideal for a President’s Day parade, a Fourth of July celebration and school events! Just imagine the top grade your biography report will get when you recite it dressed up in a realistic Washington costume. Or, watch as all hail to the chief when you march down the street in a George Washington costume carrying the American Flag! Really, there is not better way to honor our first president on President’s Day by than by wearing a Washington costume.
A Washington costume can take one of several looks. The first is his General Washington costume based on the uniform from the Revolutionary War. When fighting first broke out in 1775, Washington showed up at the Second Continental Congress dressed in a military uniform (a Washington costume to us modern folks) to signal that the patriots should be prepared for war. His Commander-In-Chief Washington costume featured tan breeches, a tan waistcoat and an ornamental navy jacket and was captured in a portrait of his swearing in ceremony. Predating this time period, George was a Colonel in the Virginia Regiment and was known to wear a Washington costume that featured a red waist, red breeches and a navy uniform coat. Of course, equestrian-style leather boots and a white powdered Washington costume wig are essential accessories to any Washington costume. When heading out in inclement weather a Washington costume would benefit from a dark, long wool coat and tircorn hat that was popular during the Colonial era. The tricorn hat is an interesting addition to the Washington costume as it was often part of the General’s uniform and the turned-up, three-cornered design allowed rain water to run away from the face and over the shoulders like “gutters” thus protecting the Washington costume.
Washington was a man who walked the walk, talked the talk and wore the clothing of a true patriot. He insisted that his Washington costume was made right here in America and not overseas by the British. Additionally, while serving as President, his philosophy was to wear a Washington costume featuring the clothing of a normal citizen as opposed to the elaborate robes, crowns and regalia of a monarch. In this light, when not shown in his military uniform, George probably wore a Washington costume that consisted of upper-class clothing from the 18th century such as the black velvet suit with a lace-ruffled white shirt that he is often portrayed in. In later years, while tending to the crops and gardens at Mount Vernon it was described that a typical Washington costume consisted of “plain drab clothes, a broad-brimmed white hat . . . and carrying an umbrella with a long staff which is attached to his saddle-bow.”. Also, George was known to have a fondness for dogs (owning 36 or more) and usually had a canine companion at his side; one of his favorites was named “Sweet Lips”. A real or stuffed animal hound would made a fun accessory to Washington costume.
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