Ozenbrig was a fabric often cited in runaway notices; an example:

As the least expensive fabric available (other than shalloon which was typically only used for linings), ozenbrig certainly had its place in colonial society.  A tough coarse linen made of hemp or flax, similar in texture to burlap, and sold in natural, white, brown and blue solid colors (or in stripe or check combinations of those same shades), ozenbrig rapidly developed a singular reputation (as many masters in the 18th century required their slaves to wear ozenbrig).

Those who wore this fabric were thereby easily identified as laborers, or as indentured bondsmen, or as enslaved.  Thus, as time progressed, few individuals would willingly choose to wear the fabric.  But such was not always the case.

The early days of the Pennsylvania frontier (1744-1746 -- the frugality years) saw ozenbrig being sold not as a fabric specific to slave attire, but rather as the fabric of choice to be worn by the common man.  Ozenbrig would be fabricated into nearly everything from breeches, trousers, vests, jackets, shirts and suits, to stockings, aprons, petticoats and shifts, to sheets, table covers, carpetbags and wallets. The Dupui ledger shows the sale of ozenbrig to eight area families (none of whom were known to own slaves).  Interestingly enough, the known slave-owning families in the region conversely have no ledger entries at all that would indicate the purchase of ozenbrig at Dupui's store. It wasn't long, however, before the relatively coarse ozenbrig would lose its appeal.  For an additional 6 pence, one could buy linen; or for an additional shilling, check linen could be bought.  In fact, we wind up seeing close to six dozen linen transactions in the Dupui ledger just within the next dozen years.

The comfort of linen clearly triumphed over the inexpensiveness of ozenbrigs.  The consumer had spoken.