The woman in the back of the boat with shirt and trowsers is the more interesting...
There are two guys wearing lady's sunbonnets. I think this is just proof that people have always had a sense of humor.
But interesting post nonetheless.
Being a student of manufacturing, I'm wondering if perhaps belt loops were just too much trouble to put on pants. I can't believe nobody dreamed up the concept in the last 1000 years or so, but perhaps the detailed sewing needed to add belt loops just wasn't worth the bother, or added cost?
I did a little bit of internet snooping, and although several folks tried to invent practical sewing machines in the early 1800s, it wasn't until the 1850s that Singer managed to perfect a truly practical sewing machine. Perhaps hand sewing belt loops before then just did not make economic sense? After mechanical sewing machines became proctical, it wasn't too much of a leap to factories full of workers sitting at individual sewing machines, ginding out clothing. Oliver Winchester was a successful shirt manufacturer before he turned his talents to managing a firearms company.
Just musings, no facts. I just wonder if belt loops neeed a leap in technology to become practical in mass produced clothing.