Clothing prior to the Industrial Revolution, as indicated earlier, was a product of hand labor, and very costly. 

Among the common people a change of clothing was a luxury hardly dreamed of.  Underclothing was too costly for the average person. Most people had but one garment, and wore it until it was literally worn out.

Those who today find it difficult to believe or imagine this state of affairs, might do well to recall that here in these United States back in the 1840's and still in many areas until the early 1900's, it was common for children to be quite literally "sewn" into their clothing.

A young boy for example might be sewn into his summer clothes following his spring bath.  In the fall, he'd take another bath (whether he needed it or not), and then be sewn into his winter clothing.

Given this tradition, at least the children bathed twice a year.  This was widely considered an indication of progress.

There is an early jingle that survives to this day: "Patch beside patch is neighborly; but patch upon patch is beggarly".

The implication is clear.  If your garment is patched, it is a sign of thrift.  But when you begin to patch the patches, it is time for a new garment!

It is worth remembering that the bathtub made its reappearance in the United States, after virtually disappearing for millennia following the fall of Rome.  In the 1840's, it was widely believed that exposing the entire body to a water spray was highly dangerous and could result in death.

Queen Elizabeth I startled her subjects by once proclaiming that every British subject should bathe at least once a month.  Most of her people thought she was a bit "off" and ignored this directive, but she was definitely a woman ahead of her time.

Royalty and nobility of course often had extensive wardrobes, but rarely bathed more often than the common people they ruled.  It was to be sure a bad-smelling age, although the wealthy and nobles would attempt to counter the stench with expensive perfumes and long junkets to their country houses.

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