Why were the fashions of pre revolutionary aristocrats so elaborate?

Before the American Revolution, and even after it, one thing that characterized the people of high society, from others, was their style of dressing, especially in women. The admired way was, the European way. As such, it was possible to see, in pre-Revolutionary America, men and women that could have been placed in the streets of London, or Paris, and not know the difference, except for their accent when they spoke.

The reason for this being the case was that to Americans, the ideal was to be seen as European, as this was perceived to be the peak of good breeding, and social status. Another issue was that colonists of high rank wanted to show that rank, and the more elaborate and outstanding their outfits, the better they would be seen in society.

new evidence is discovered.

oversights and errors are corrected,

new technology is applied to evidence.

frederick william of brandenburg-prussia trained his son, frederick, to be a hardy soldier. but frederick disliked rifle shooting and horseback riding. unlike his father, he was interested in french literature. he enjoyed poetry and music and, like some others of the enlightenment, he scoffed at religion. his father thought him soft, frivolous and unmindful of his duties. and when frederick refused to put his signature on a right to succession, for a few moments his father strangled him.