This paper saw me create a historiographical background of textile and costume of the 18th century. From this I was able to find small gaps in the historiography and see what lenses previous authors have used. Most lenses focused on Class, Gender and Sexuality with some analysis of culture or economic lenses. 

Finding the gaps in Historiography, I set out to understand the gender and sexuality implications of fashionable men interacting with the new American democracy. These fashionable men were deemed both sexual predators and sexually inept. Using Material Culture such as garments and prints alongside traditional sources I explored why these men were deemed "unfit for democracy"

For this research I look into the techincal side of garment manufacturing and analyze what it reveals about garments in the 18th century. Stitching techniques, materials used and embellishments chosen all play key roles in describing who the wearer was and what purpose this garment served. 

This research focused on how the French Government uses Heritage Diplomacy to create soft power in the political landscape. French culture is a powerful tool, and the French Government knows this. Outside of their dominance on luxury goods markets, the French exercise a unique system to send artists across the globe and use French cultural centers to build relationships in foreign countries.