The thing that I guess would seem odd to us is how on most of the 18th century shirts and many of the 19th century shirts there's just one button, at the collar.
It's that gap that was often hidden by a ruffle down either side of the opening in 18th century shirts.
At some point (late 19th century?) the jabot came in which was sort of trying to replicate that appearance, but ignoring both the construction and function of the original.
As I recall some ACW shirts had the small neck opening and single button, but most had a longer opening (around halfway down the chest) with buttons.
Proud Mountaineer from the Highlands of West Virginia; son of the Revolution and Civil War; first Europeans on the Guyandotte
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