Sailor, 1855-1857. A lone sailor is depicted against a rocky outcrop, looking a little awkward off shipboard in his distinctive clothes. Until the mid-19th century, enlisted sailors made and mended their own uniforms, which were intended to be simple and functional. These layered and loosely fitted garments, usually made of wool and canvas, contrasted with the dark, tailored clothing typically favored by 19th-century men.