At the end of the eighteenth century fashion was international. Members of Maine society kept abreast of trends. Typical dress in Maine featured styles that originated in England. This white or cream twilled silk coat, also known as a pelisse, is an interesting example of that internationalism.

However, this piece does not bear the typical hallmarks of English dress at the time. It lacks a belt, and tied around the waist underneath the coat, which created a distinctive silhouette, with the front hanging straight down--a turn of the 19th century French trend.