Overalls were usually made of white wool for winter service and white linen for summer service. They were typically black and made of woven horsehair, leather or linen. Worn over the shirt collar and fastened around the neck with a buckle, clasp or tie-string, the neck stock helped soldiers maintain a military posture. Shirts were usually made of coarse, white or natural linen and were long and loose fitting, with full, long sleeves and a large collar. Worn under the coat and over the shirt, the waistcoat was generally single breasted with a standing collar and two small front pockets.
The collar, cuffs and lapels were trimmed with a variety of colors depending on the region: white for New England buff for New York and New Jersey red for the mid-Atlantic states and blue for the southern states. The Continental Army uniform coat was made of dark blue wool – a direct contrast to the British Army’s red uniforms.
